Remote Staff Remote Staff Remote Staff Remote Staff
  • Home
  • Jobs
  • Our Services
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Testimonials
  • FAQ
  • Sign Up
  • Log in
Remote Staff Remote Staff
  • Home
  • Jobs
  • Our Services
  • About Us
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Testimonials
  • FAQ
  • Sign Up
  • Log in
Oct 05
Assistive Technologies you Need as a Remote PWD Worker

Assistive Technologies you Need as a Remote PWD Worker.

  • October 5, 2021
  • John Carlo Pagsolingan
  • No Comments
  • Productivity, Technology

One of the essential things that every remote PWD worker needs are access to the appropriate assistive technology. What are assistive technologies? Assistive technologies are the products, equipment, and systems that help improve the quality of life of a person with disabilities. There are two types of assistive technology: high tech and low tech.

High tech assistive devices are a type of assistive technology for PWDs that requires electricity to function. These devices are often more complex and expensive than low tech assistive devices. Examples include screen reading software and voice amplification systems.

In contrast to high tech assistive devices, low tech assistive devices don’t require electricity to function. These devices rely on physical effort to work and are cheaper to acquire than high tech assistive devices. Examples of low tech assistive devices are canes and sticky notes.

Since I’ve already discussed the importance of assistive devices in my previous articles, this article will focus on the various assistive technology for PWDs instead. Specifically, I will talk about the assistive technology devices for disabilities that PWD workers working from home need.

Visual Assistive Devices

Visual Assistive Devices

Let’s start our discussion with visual assistive devices. These devices allow remote PWD workers to operate computers and cellphones and navigate their way around their homes or workstations with ease. Thanks to these new technologies, activities that were once impossible for the visually impaired to accomplish are now possible. Some even excel at doing them.

Screen Readers

Image credit: pinterest.ph

Screen Readers

Screen readers are applications that enable visually impaired individuals to read texts that are on their computer screens. They accomplish this via a speech synthesizer or using a braille display. These apps serve as an interface between the user and the computer’s operating system and its applications. An example of a screen reader app is the JAWS screen reader.

Braille Translators

Image credit: gpii.net

Braille Translators

These applications allow its users to convert online documents to braille. Doing this allows the file to be printed on a braille printer or read through a braille display. Examples of a braille translator app are GOODFEEL Braille Music Translator and BrailleMaster.

Braille Printers

Braille Printers

Connected to braille translators are braille printers. Braille printers differ from regular printers in that the former uses heavyweight paper uses more pages in printing than the latter. It is also noisier than ordinary printers. Examples include the Braillo series and Braille Express.

Braille Keyboards

Braille Keyboards

Of course, we couldn’t forget about braille keyboards. These special keyboards use eight keys to form braille letters instead of the usual QWERTY setup. This setup allows visually impaired individuals to write replies to emails, for example, with ease.

Mobility Assistive Devices

Mobility Assistive Devices

The next assistive technology for PWDs that we’ll take a look at is mobility assistive devices. You may be wondering: why would I even spend time talking about mobility assistive devices during this time of quarantine? Well, not everyone eats, sleeps, and takes a bath in their workspace now, do they?

Aside from wheelchairs, crutches, and canes, there are other devices that can assist mobility-impaired individuals. Here are some of them.

Sip and Puff Systems

Image credit: therafin.com

Sip and Puff Systems

You read that right. Thanks to modern technology, people with paralysis and other physical impairments can continue using computers through the use of a straw. Sip and Puff Systems works like a joystick, except you use your breath for controls. The system translates your breaths into commands such as typing keyboard characters or clicking items.

Hands-Free Mouse Tracking

Image credit: facemouse.it

Hands-Free Mouse Tracking

Another assistive device that you may not have heard of is the hands-free mouse tracking system. These devices use alternative means to control both your mouse and keyboard, enabling PWDs to work remotely.

An example of this type of device is the FaceMouse. This device tracks your facial movements via a webcam and translates them into commands. You can even set it to accept your mouth opening, for example, as the backspace key.

Hearing and Speech Assistive Devices

Hearing and Speech Assistive Devices

With the mobility assistive devices now covered, the next ones are the assistive devices for hearing and speech. These devices allow PWDs with hearing or speech impairments to communicate with other people effectively. There are three kinds of hearing and speech assistive devices: assistive listening, augmentative and alternative communication, and alerting.

Assistive Listening Devices

Image credit: auralrehabandeducators.wordpress.com

Assistive Listening Devices

These devices help amplify the sound that the listener wants to hear so they can better understand it. Having this device is a big help to the user, especially when there’s a lot of background noise in where they’re staying. There are three types of assistive listening devices, hearing loop systems, frequency-modulated (FM) systems, and infrared systems.

The difference between the three is that hearing loop systems use electromagnetic energy to transmit sound. FM systems, on the other hand, utilizes radio signals to transmit amplified sounds. And infrared systems, as its name suggests, uses infrared light as means to transmit sound.

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices

Image credit: sralab.org

Augmentative and Alternative Communication Devices

Augmentative and alternative communication devices are tools that you can use as a substitute for regular speech. These can range from simple picture boards to complex devices such as text displays. There are even speech-generating devices that you can use that translates pictures and symbols into speech.

Alerting Devices

Image credit: aarp.org

Alerting Devices

Alerting devices are tools that remote PWDs use to notify them of an upcoming event. These events could be something as simple as an alarm clock for you to wake up to a delivery notification. These signals are either blinking lights or vibrations that notify the individual with hearing and speech impairments.

Cognitive and Learning Assistive Devices

Cognitive and Learning Assistive Devices

Finally, we reach the cognitive and learning assistive devices. These devices are for individuals in need of assistance regarding learning, attention, memory, etc. These tools help them make better decisions and focus on their work instead of being distracted by external stimuli.

Your To-do List

Your To-do List

Yes, something as simple as a to-do list can be a big help for individuals with cognitive and learning impairments. This simple assistive technology for PWDs can help them remember their tasks. Having this helps keep them focused and avoid distractions from work. Just be careful not to adhere too strictly to your to-do lists and remain flexible for any unforeseen events.

Virtual Assistant Technologies

Virtual Assistant Technologies

With the introduction of virtual assistant technologies like Siri, Alexa, and Amazon Echo, remote PWDs have an additional tool to assist them while working. These virtual assistants can help remind them of meetings with their supervisors and do their chores. Having one also allows remote PWDs to relax by playing music or turning off the lights in their workspace as they rest.

Conclusion

Conclusion

And we’re finally done! Here are the assistive devices you can get while working as a remote PWD. Just like regular workers, PWD workers also need to have the right tools for work. In their case, however, they require specialized tools due to their conditions. Aside from their use in work, these tools are a big help in the everyday lives of remote PWDS. The only thing left to do now is to try them out and see the benefits yourself.

Facebook Comments

Disclaimer: The above article was written according to the information available as of press time.
All opinions and beliefs expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of Remote Staff's, its employees, subcontractors, clients, and affiliates.


  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • E-Mail

About The Author

John Carlo Pagsolingan is a carefree yet hardworking writer with aspirations of becoming a teacher in the future. He believes that remote working isn’t just a substitute; but is a legitimate alternative to face-to-face work. Learn more as he writes about the advantages of remote work and tips for aspiring remote workers.

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

one × 2 =

Recent Posts

  • The Pros and Cons of Getting Side Hustles
  • Gain Financial Independence Through the Right Budgeting Method
  • 7 Energizing Alternatives to Coffee That You Should Try
  • Want to Be Financially Secure? Here is a List of Financial Goals to Guide Your Journey.
  • 4 Main Benefits of Being a Work-At-Home Mom

Archives

  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020

What's Trending

  • Want to Become in-demand in an Online ASP Job? Here’s How.
  • How to Register to SSS, PAGIBIG, and Philhealth as a Remote Worker
  • What’s the Best Computer Specs for Work-from-home and Remote Working?
  • Ultimate Guide: How to File Your Taxes as a Freelancer or Remote Worker in the Philippines
  • Got No Internet? Here are 5 Pocket Wifi Options You Can Use As Back-Up
  • Honesty is the Best Policy: Examples of Lying in Job Interviews and Why they’re a Bad Idea.
  • 45 High-Paying Online Jobs You Can Apply For to Earn at Home in the Philippines
  • Equality for All: Some of the Laws Concerning PWD Employment in the Philippines
  • Ultimate Guide: Comprehensive List of Benefits you can get from SSS as a Remote worker or Freelancer
  • Why You Need to Complete Your Remote Staff Profile (Plus a Step-by-Step Video On How to Do It)
  • Contact Us

    info@remotestaff.ph

    Office headquarters

    Remote Staff, Inc.
    Level 29 Joy Nostalg Centre
    17 ADB Avenue, Ortigas Centre
    Pasig City, 1600
    Philippines

    Links

    • Home
    • Blog
    • About Us
    • FAQ
    • Jobs
    • Privacy Policy
    • Fair Equitable Contracting Policy
    © Copyright Remote Staff - 2023