Accessibility and Artificial Intelligence

Several new and exciting artificial intelligence products are emerging in the accessible technology space. This technology is transformative. It promises to support the disabled community in ways never seen before by empowering them to take great control over their lives. Below are just a few exciting, emergent technologies powered by artificial intelligence.

Two new AI accessibility applications are now available through Google: Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier.

Live Transcribe is a new Android App from Google that automatically translates language into synthesized text. In testing, the transcription is amazingly accurate...and fast. It begins speech recognition almost immediately. Moreover, the app supports 72 languages. To use Live Transcribe, simply activate the app in a live meeting or a webinar. The app listens to the conversation and converts the conversation to text automatically. The app is free to download from the Google Play Store.

Google Translate App

Google Translate App

 
The second application is also available for hearing impaired people. Sound Amplifier, as the name suggests, increases the volume of important sounds in our vicinity (eg speech), reducing noise from the street or other types of environmental noises. After installing the software, enable in the Accessibility Settings and connect any headset. The sound amplifier is only available on devices with Android 9. Unlike Live Transcribe, the Sound Amplifier does not require an Internet connection.

 

Microsoft has also introduced new suite of Artificial Intelligence products, including Seeing AI - a free app that narrates the world around the user. Seeing AI is available to iOS and Android customers in the United States, Canada, India, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Singapore. Designed for the blind and low vision community, this ongoing research project harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to open up the visual world and describe nearby people, text and objects.

Seeing AI

Presentation Translator breaks down the language barrier by allowing users to offer live, subtitled presentations straight from PowerPoint. As you speak, the add-in powered by the Microsoft Translator live feature, allows you to display subtitles directly on your PowerPoint presentation in any one of more than 60 supported text languages. This feature can also be used for audiences who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Additionally, up to 100 audience members in the room can follow along with the presentation in their own language, including the speaker’s language, on their phone, tablet or computer. Translate is available for PowerPoint, Edge, and Outlook.

Microsoft Translate

 

Alexa is a another artificial intelligence product that is transforming support for the disabled community. Many users with physical disabilities are using Alexa through their Amazon Echo or Dot devices from their beds. This functionality to wherever the user has access to their phone or tablet with the tecla-e companion app by linking their Alexa account to the app. tecla-e is for anyone who cannot easily use a smart device such as smartphones, tablets, computers or have difficulty using home appliances. This includes those with quadriplegia and other mobility impairments resulting from spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, ALS, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, brain injuries or stroke.