For people living with a sensory impairment, there may be a number of day-to-day activities which they find more challenging. The good news is that technology has advanced a great deal and as well as being a lot simpler than you might think to use, there are lots of ways it can support someone with a sensory impairment to feel independent and safe, and to enjoy their life as fully as possible. As technology continues to advance, there are bound to be even more innovations to further enhance accessibility and inclusion for the person you care for, but for now, here is an introduction to the kind of tech available.
Mobile phones
Mobile phones or tablets especially designed for people with hearing or sight loss can be transformed into an incredibly helpful tool by simply downloading a few apps to suit their specific needs. Apps like TapTapSee and Seeing AI support people with a visual impairment to use their mobile phone to capture images and identify it out loud, helping them make sense of their surroundings.
Technology to help someone stay safe at home
People with a visual or hearing impairment can use Smart home systems such as Google Home and Alexa to support them in feeling safe and comfortable at home. These and other systems can be set up to automatically turn lights on, adjust the heating or open the curtains, as well as let people know the date and time, the weather, add items to their shopping lists and all sorts of other useful applications. They can also be voice activated to complete specific tasks like set reminders.
There are also plenty of home security and motion detector systems that can offer great peace of mind to someone with a sensory impairment and to you as their carer, and in case of emergencies can send an alert to you, a family member or emergency service.
Knowing where to find their keys, wallet and other objects whenever they want them is important to anyone living with a sensory impairment. There are now stick-on Bluetooth tiles available that make a sound or flash a light to help someone find them.
Technology to help someone get out and about independently
There a number of apps which can support someone with a sensory impairment to explore and get out and about independently such as google maps and Waze. TomTom's free navigation app, AmiGO, comes with enhanced visual cues to help drivers with a hearing impairment navigate more easily.
Tactile maps and guidebooks featuring raised textures and Braille labels are available for those who are blind or visually impaired, as are Wayfinding apps such as BlindSquare and Seeing AI. These are higher tech solutions that use GPS technology and audio instructions to provide real-time guidance so people can locate nearby points of interest, navigate safely outdoors, and plan their routes for travel.
Smart canes, such as the WeWalk Smart Cane, also incorporate features like sensors and tactile feedback to detect obstacles and provide alerts to users who are then able to navigate safely through crowded or unfamiliar environments.
Technology to help with daily tasks
For those with a hearing impairment there are lots of useful aids and gadgets to help with daily tasks. These include simple vibrating alarm clocks and watches and visual doorbell alerts and telephone ringers, both with adjustable volume and flashing lights. The Braci sounds alert app uses technology to recognise and analyse sounds, converting them into visual and sensory notifications and alerts which can be helpful for those with a hearing impairment.
For those with a visual impairment, liquid level indicators, talking watches, clocks and scales, big button telephones and magnifiers can all help make life easier. Adjustable lighting can also be a great support, as can screen readers, Braille displays and voice-activated assistants. For the kitchen, accessible washing machines and other appliances that include tactile control panels and audio programme signals and alerts are available.
Technology to help someone communicate with others
Technology can be a powerful communication tool for individuals living with a sensory impairment.
Technology that supports those with a hearing impairment to communicate with others includes hearing loops used in partnership with a hearing aid and captioned telephones that transcribe conversations into text.
There are also a number of tools which convert spoken work into other forms of communication. Talk-to-text translation apps like AVA and Google transcribe that can transcribe or provide captions to conversations or video. Video relay services, or video interpreting apps, also allow people who use sign language to have conversations to be translated for them in real time.
For those living with a visual impairment, there are a number of apps which help with written communication. For example, there are apps that convert text to speech or text to Braille, meaning labels, letters, menus and recipes can all be much more accessible.
For individuals with a sensory impairment that struggle with speech and text, phones, iPad and tablets can be used as valuable communication tools. They can act as communication boards, allow individuals to share pre-loaded information and even use facial expressions to communication (Project Activate).
Wearable devices
Wearable devices like the Sunu wristband use sonar technology to detect obstacles and provide sensory feedback through gentle vibration. People with a visual impairment can wear these devices on their wrists and use them to detect objects in their surroundings, enhancing their mobility and spatial awareness.
Smart watches can be used in a similar way, translating a sound like a phone ringing into a vibration, useful for those with a hearing impairment.
There are also a number of ways technology has been developed to enhance someone’s vision, like Smart glasses that offer greater magnification, spoken information and even the ability to recognise someone’s face and tell the user their name.
Smart hearing aids use technology too, allowing the person using them to not only optimise their hearing experience, but also offering ways to connect to other devices in the home. They are even able to monitor certain health markers and alert others if the person wearing them has a fall.
Technology can help to enhance the independence and safety of individuals living with a sensory impairment. It can also help improve communication between someone with a sensory impairment and those around them.
Feeling more assured that they are able to navigate their world around them independently and speak for themselves improve their confidence and empower them to access the activities and experiences they enjoy.
When thinking about exploring the use of technology, it is important to consider whether there is an initial or ongoing cost and whether this is affordable for the individual with the sensory impairment.
Technology often relies on the individual having access to reliable wifi and a good electricity supply. Whilst technology can be hugely beneficial, it is important to have strategies in place for if there isn’t wifi, or the technology doesn’t work. Making sure you have a back up plan, in the form of access to someone to help you fix it, and an alternative device or readily-charged battery packs for example, will avoid too much disruption if you lose access to your device temporarily.
It is also worth thinking about whether there is any training or support available when learning to use or adapt technology.
Support with accessing assistive technology
Good wifi signal is needed to make the most of the Smart technology and apps covered in this article. If the person you care for needs help with their wifi, downloading apps or even setting up their phone, remote support is available. For example, condition-specific charities and organisations like Ability Net and Be My Eyes use technology to connect people with a sensory impairment with experts and volunteers. They can support the person you care for in learning how to use their technology and help them solve problems they might be finding difficult.
If you think it would be helpful to speak to someone about technology which can be used to support someone with a sensory impairment, speaking with your local authority can be a great first step. You can request a Social Care Needs Assessment too – both for the person you care for and for yourself as their carer. This can determine what provision will support you both, and in particular, they will be able to suggest what technology might be most useful or even provide certain items and/or training free of charge.
You can also access customer support from your specific product manufacturer, as well as grants and assistive technology training are often available from condition specific organisations like Sense, Scope, RNIB and Age UK. For those with a dual sensory impairment, lots of support is available from Deafblind UK, and if you are caring for a child or young person with a hearing impairment, specific support and funding may be available at the National Deaf Children’s Society.
Charities and trusts often provide funding towards the high cost of equipment and tech designed for those living with a sensory impairment, and it’s worth checking out this website that can show you what other grants might be available.
As always, those experiencing a similar condition will be able to offer their own expert help. Seeking to make contacts with other carers and joining condition-specific support groups can be a great way for you and the person you care for to find out more about the assistive technology out there and how to use it, whilst also providing an important sense of community and positive support for you both.