The technological advancements in assistive technology are bringing hope to those who have been waiting for a solution.
The blind and visually impaired community are already well versed with tech, be it from PenFriends to Amazon Alexa or Siri.
I was talking to Chris (The Blind Woodturner) about this only last week. Listen to the conversation on our YouTube!
While we’re getting excited about the new possibilities that comes with AI, it can be easy to forget not everyone’s on the same wavelength, or maybe you’re sceptical.
Here are some tips to transition to using AI to help simplify your life, and give you independence.
1. This can be a gradual change
When you start thinking about how assistive technology can improve your life, you may feel overwhelmed, thinking that it’s going to be a difficult process to integrate into your daily routine. Or you may feel inspired! It’s natural to fall into one of these mindsets. The key is to hold both perspectives simultaneously and realize that the biggest asset for making assistive technology work for you is time. Time to learn to use the technology, time to allow your brain and body to adapt toward it.
2. Change your perspective
Sometimes I find AI is met with cynicism. Ahh! The Robot’s are going to take over the world!
Let’s just settle down for a moment. Perhaps some time long in the future Robots will defeat humanity, but there’s one thing I know for sure right now, and that is AI is simply there to help you, to work with you. Approach AI as a tool to enrich your life, not to overtake it.
3. Get ready for a learning curve
In other words: Be patient with yourself! It’s okay if you feel odd at first using assistive technology. Take Alexa or Siri for example, I certainly felt off speaking into my phone at first. You have every right to feel unease over this new change too. We are after all, only human. It’s okay if you feel unfamiliar with all of the theories and strategies behind assistive technology. There is a lot to learn. Sometimes it just matters that you get in, get what you can from it, and get out without learning everything about why or how it helps.
4. Ask for help & seek out professionals
There are so many resources available to assistive technology users: websites, videos, online groups and more. No doubt you’ll be a member of a local charity or support group, and these tend to have assistive technology teams! So I’d try there. Get in contact if you’re unsure.
MyFinder offer regular webinars. We go over how to use the app, connect our users to guest speakers, and show our latest updates. Anyone unsure of how our AI app works is brought up to speed within the hour. Check our socials for our next event.
5. Start small
The great thing about MyFinder is you can use it however often you wish. You don’t need to use all the app’s functions straight away either. If you just want a handy text reader for shopping, you’ve got it. And you can use the app just for that. Or if you want the tailored help that comes with the help of a volunteer, share your screen in real time. MyFinder does these tasks well, and you can dip in and out of the app.
So there’s five quick tips. If you’re interested in trying out the MyFinder app as your first foray into the world of AI, download it here. It’s free.
This article was written using free AI tools.
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