Here's how artificial intelligence is levelling the playing field for workers with disabilities
46 per cent of people with disabilities are employed, improved technology could help
Kevin Carrier has a lot of tools in his tool belt. He's an expert in all things assistive technology and said recent advancements are opening doors for people with disabilities — people like him.
Carrier has Stargardt disease, which causes vision loss. It's a perspective that helps him in his role with Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada in Fredericton, where he teaches others what's available and what's possible, giving them the "skills, confidence and independence" to go out into the world and the workplace.
More than 35 per cent of New Brunswickers have a disability, according to Statistics Canada, and only 46 per cent of them are employed. But a greater understanding and acceptance of new technology in the workplace could close that gap.
Carrier often shows clients how to use programs that read or magnify a screen, turn text into speech, summarize documents and organize information in an easily understandable way. It can be helpful for people with visual or hearing impairments, learning disabilities or trouble focusing, "unlocking a lot of opportunities and possibilities for people," he said.
One example is smart glasses, which have built-in cameras, speakerphone, microphone and touch controls. They use artificial intelligence to describe real-life surroundings. With a price tag of around $400, Carrier said it's opening up "a whole new world" for people.
"An important aspect of assistive technology isn't just being able to do a thing. It's sometimes being able to do a thing while still competing with your able-bodied peers … and without the help of someone else."
Carrier said these developments are levelling the playing field for people with physical or learning disabilities, with shortcuts that make you more productive, and "in some ways, you can actually be faster than your sighted peers," he said.
Assistive technology 'often misunderstood'
There have been a lot of advancements in technology since Charles Levasseur started using MS-DOS — Microsoft's disk operating system — back in the 1980s. But the assistive technology specialist with the non-profit Neil Squire Society in Moncton, said none of it compares to artificial intelligence.
But it's a technology that's often misunderstood, and in some cases, abused, said Levasseur. That's why he would like to see an increase in digital literacy for everyone — in particular, how to use it properly.
If not, he worries schools and other institutions will move to restrict its use for people who really benefit from it.
He said it's already happening at some colleges when it comes to using a program called Grammarly, because it leans too heavily on aritifical intelligence. Levasseur likens it to Spell Check and said banning programs like this is a slippery slope.
"Instead of always going to the first approach, which is preventing it from being used, let's see how we can implement it in the way that's going to be acceptable."
Levasseur hopes more employers will lean into new technology that removes barriers for people with disabilities. He said people can start to do that with the built-in technology that's already installed in our phones, tablets and computers. He said there are often resources available to help with the cost of more expensive programs and devices.
When it comes to employment, Carrier believes there is "still a lot of room to grow in the acceptance of not only disability, but assistive technologies."
"I think that helping employers and educators understand the possibilities with assistive technologies for people in general could help alleviate some of these predetermined ideas in their own mind, and just help alleviate some of the bias that they might have toward certain individuals."
Excitement about what's to come
Even with these recent developments, Carrier is most excited about what's coming around the corner.
"The next step that a lot of companies are leaning into is real-time feedback from the AI assistant. … 'You can cross the street now' or 'There's something in front of you.'"
He wonders if it could replace the need for guide dogs one day.
"It could certainly completely change how a blind person or low-vision person or anybody is able to navigate their home, their workplace, their community, shop for themselves, read mail when they get it," he said.
"I think it's tremendously cool, but it's also tremendously important. And I'm really excited for what's coming down the pike."
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