Conclusion

The potential of digital assistive technologies (DigAT) to enable people to live more independent, fulfilled lives, is significant. As demonstrated throughout this report, they are technologies which can help improve access to work, play, rest and care – four fundamental aspects of life. Their development encapsulates the Royal Society’s guiding mission of science benefiting humanity. However, due to the disparate and inherently diverse customer base for DigAT, there are equally significant challenges in incentivising sufficient investment and adoption. Furthermore, for some people, DigAT will be a hindrance or provide no help at all.

These challenges include a need to improve the quality of disability data, to embed inclusive design practices across the development lifecycle and to ensure DigAT are affordable.

On data, a robust understanding of the global landscape of disability will require a greater focus on measuring people’s functional challenges. Current approaches to data collection on disability are non-standardised with different definitions across regions and nations. Approaches which prioritise self-identification are not always useful and risk omitting people who may be living with a disability but do not consider themselves as disabled. A focus on functional challenges, instead, will offer richer insights into people’s precise needs and help guide decision-makers on resource allocation and DigAT development.

Inclusive design practices will require the meaningful participation of disabled people from the initial product concept and throughout its lifecycle. Inclusivity is often seen as an afterthought in the development of new technologies and is not seen as part of the minimum viable product. This will need to change if the potential of DigAT is to be realised. This principle applies to the development of mainstream technologies as well as technologies specifically designed for disabled people. With the capability to host many different accessibility applications in one place, for many people, their smartphone is their DigAT. They are no less an assistive technology than a wheelchair or a cane.

Progress on DigAT will also require an understanding of the reality disabled people face. With many disabled people, globally, experiencing lower levels of income compared with non-disabled people, DigAT will need to be affordable if they are to be useful. The cost associated with DigAT is not limited to the initial purchase price of a product but to maintenance. Furthermore, technology obsolescence – where technology becomes outdated and in need of replacement – presents a further affordability challenge.

With an estimated 1.3 billion disabled people globally, there is already a pressing need to incentivise the development of DigAT. As generations of digital natives emerge and experience disability in future, the demand for DigAT is likely to be much greater. Meeting this demand will require careful consideration and, most importantly, action from researchers, funders, government, industry and civil society.