A key characteristic of technology is its capacity for innovation and the rapid advancement of new solutions to make people's daily lives easier.
And it doesn't stop there. Technology continues to surprise us.
From integrating departments through a single ERP enterprise management system to new developments that enable previously unimaginable social interactions, such as assistive technologies for the deaf and hard of hearing, promoting social inclusion in organizations and in daily life.
Assistive technologies exist to help people with a wide range of needs to perform everyday tasks, such as reading this article or listening to their favorite podcast.
Nowadays, innovation for social inclusion through technology has become a reality, demonstrating how people can achieve a better quality of life and increased productivity in companies through technological resources.
Previously, hiring a deaf person for an organization was an obstacle, mainly because of their participation in meetings or telephone conversations with clients. Currently, assistive technology has become increasingly present, revolutionizing the world in favor of inclusion, often acting as a tool to obtain a profession and enter the job market.
All of this is possible through Deficiência Tech, a movement for the training and inclusion of people with disabilities in the technology ecosystem in Brazil. Deficiência Tech aims to become a reference in Brazil and worldwide as a community for the training and development of people with disabilities in the job market.
In an interview with Tech Channel, Gustavo Debs, Co-Founder and VP of Culture and People, said:
“The issue of accessibility is being discussed more currently, but we are definitely not yet in the ideal scenario; otherwise, we wouldn't need to be discussing this topic. The most important thing is that we are noticing that people with disabilities are gaining more space to raise their voices and speak about what they need. This movement is extremely important; it generates empowerment, protagonism, and provides a reference point for other people with disabilities to demand more accessibility and thus conquer their spaces.”
Regarding the future of innovation for social inclusion, new technologies are emerging in the coming years, and many technological solutions have already been implemented to make life easier for people with disabilities and promote their inclusion in various companies.
An example of this is assistive technologies for the deaf and hard of hearing.
The digital age for the deaf and the importance of technology as a key ally.
Deaf and hard-of-hearing people are proudly witnessing the transformation and creation of an increasingly accessible world.
From the emergence of hearing aids to cochlear implants (bionic ears). There is also the TDD (typewriter with a built-in telephone that carried the typed message to the interlocutor), and current cell phones with installed applications, such as WhatsApp, allowing real-time text and image communication.
Impacts like these are positive and essential for the lives of deaf people, their studies, and their relationships in all areas of society. Strengthening their sense of belonging and raising their self-esteem, they are able to communicate better through technological solutions.
Deaf people can also rely on subtitles in films or television programs. And there are also sign language windows, where an interpreter appears to translate the content into Brazilian Sign Language during television programming.
One example of this is the bilingual weekly newspaper, Primeira Mão, broadcast in Portuguese and Brazilian Sign Language (Libras), featuring the main news from Brazil and the world. Produced by TV INES, from the National Institute of Deaf Education.
The newspaper includes a visual, factual, and informative communication tool in its mobile universe, reaching over 9 million deaf Brazilians. All articles are presented with a sign language interpreter, making all reports accessible to the public. It is available for Android and on the App Store.
Did you know that Google chose a Brazilian company to create technology for the deaf?
In August of this year, Hand Talk, a company that develops a sign language translator and promotes internet access for thousands of deaf people, presented a third concept, continuing the existing platform: Hand Talk Motion, to translate sign language or ASL for hearing people, simply by pointing at the cell phone screen. The project was funded by Google and is expected to launch in the coming years.
Currently, Hand Talk has a platform that offers digital translators for Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) and ASL, the American Sign Language, on smartphones and computers.
The app uses artificial intelligence to automatically translate text and audio into Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) and American Sign Language. Users can write, speak, or access a dictionary of words, and have the content translated by a virtual assistant. This allows listeners to communicate with deaf people using only their phone screen.
Amazing, isn't it? And you know what's even better? The app is significantly contributing to improved social inclusion and is a success! More than 4,5 million people have already installed the app.
Another development by the company is a button for websites and online stores. When accessing them, deaf people can click, select a passage, and have the text translated into Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) or ASL (American Sign Language). As with the app, a virtual assistant will appear on the screen to provide sign language interpretation in the chosen language.
The feature is available on major sales platforms and over 600 websites, free of charge.
So how does the new Hand Talk Motion technology work? It's simple: the app captures sign language movements and translates them into text and sound for listeners. In other words, it works the opposite way of a traditional translator.
Another app that helps and allows people with hearing impairments to participate in conversations more easily is Live Transcribe, developed by Google and Gallaudet University, which performs voice and sound transcription into text in real time on the screen.
And most interestingly, the app is compatible with transcription in over 70 languages, allows quick switching between two languages, and displays nonverbal sounds so the user knows if someone is knocking on the door, for example.
Conclusion
As we've seen in this article, applications, hardware, and software are constantly emerging and developing. We hope this will improve even further, focusing on accessibility and social inclusion, strengthening a mission of technology that goes beyond entertainment and work, guaranteeing well-being and dignity for all, contributing to a better life.
