Assistive Labs is taking an equity-based approach to the marginalization of children with speech and communication challenges in classrooms. We are addressing the supply-side of identified technology barriers currently faced in government and global initiatives. Our first project is in Rwanda, a country where approximately 23% of households, and 30% of schools have reliable electricity, introducin
g tablets and software solutions will only increase the existing digital divide and ensure inequitable access to solutions. Lack of appropriate resources is a key factor that plays the role of barrier in the implementation of assistive technology in education, and inclusion of persons with disabilities. Disability is a guarantee in life- whether we are born with it, temporarily experience it in some way, shape or form, or we become less and less abled as we get older. Disability can affect our mobility, hearing, vision, communication or cognitive abilities. For the most part, many of us do not identify with having a disability. What if I told you poor vision was in fact a disability and eyeglasses are considered assistive technology? Assistive technology are products and services that enable people experiencing disabilities to obtain a level of self-sufficiency, otherwise unobtainable. In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The USA is a leader in creating an inclusive society for people living with disabilities. Unfortunately, for the remaining 80% of people living with disabilities across the world, that is not the case. Schools, health and government services don't have the assistive technology to reach these populations. Technology for people with disabilities is mostly designed in 1st world countries- with a first world user in mind. It's easy to say, a tablet would enhance a child with disabilities education- but what if the school does not have the electricity to re-charge it? Besides, tablet screens are easy to break and schools in developing countries do not have the budget to constantly replace them. This is exactly what Assistive Labs is working on- designing and creating low-cost technologies for people living with disabilities in developing countries.
