Technology: unlocking opportunities for disabled people in 2019

Technology has presented us with the power to transform the way we live and work, particularly providing life-changing opportunities for disabled people

From the smartphone in your pocket, the alarm in your watch to the satnav in the car; assistive technology helps you work, socialise and connect with others.

Assistive technology helps unlock human potential and is opening up opportunities for disabled people in the workplace – and the Government’s Access to Work grant can help pay for it.

There are now more disabled people in work than not in work – and top new assistive technology developments will help make the workplace even more accessible in 2019.

Minister for Disabled People Sarah Newton said:

“Disabled people have a valuable contribution to make in the workplace, but too often they are held back from achieving their full potential. Assistive technology is key to unlocking this untapped pool of talent and creating more inclusive workforces and we are committed to helping disabled people thrive by working with employers and through our schemes like Access to Work.”

Live captions and subtitles in PowerPoint and Skype

Using AI, Microsoft launched live captions and subtitles in Skype in December and will introducing those features to PowerPoint in early 2019, making workplace meetings, conversations and presentations more accessible to deaf people and those who are hard of hearing.

More features for app that helps people with dyslexia give presentations

Created by a student with dyslexia, Present Pal is a presentation software designed to help people with dyslexia give presentations. The app works on a smartphone or tablet like a set of interactive flash cards – and in December the company behind it was handed a grant to add more features to it.

Access to Work

Access to Work scheme can help pay for assistive technology in the workplace to ensure someone’s disability or health condition doesn’t hold them back – up to £57,200, per person per year.