There are many different types of apps, some examples include, word processors, web browsers, media players, console games, photo editors, accounting applications and flight simulators.
Accessibility apps aim to reduce barriers to technological goods and services, making them more usable for various groups within society.
[1] A basic example is that a person who experiences vision impairments is able to access technology through enabling voice recognition and text-to-speech software.
Strain (2015) suggests that Apple, founder Steve Jobsplayed a significant role in shaping public perceptions of mobile applications.
[3] PDAs stands for personal digital assistant and is a small handheld computer that is capable of providing emails and internet access.
[4] Thirdly, today's phase in which apps are service layers, purpose built and utilise technology such as hardware sensors, location, history of use, and predictive computation.
[9] Examples of accessible technology date back to the 17th century, French priest and mathematician Jean Leurechon first mentioned the instrument in his 1634 Recreations mathématiques.
[15] In 1953, under the efforts of Canadian inventor George Klein and his team, electric wheelchairs were created to provide great convenience for people with behavioral difficulties.
[19] In 2023, Sony improved PlayStation accessibility by adding clear tags to games for visual, audio, control, and gameplay features.
[1] Pick and Azari (2008) discuss the importance of raising awareness about current advancements and future possibilities in accessibility and technology.
He said that the application of Personal Voice for him can help him realize the value of life after the loss of speech, and he can still contribute to the community through this technology, rather than just staying at home.
[1] New technology can make learning material more accessible, potentially increasing the number of students able to participate in university courses.
[26] Some apps are designed to help individuals with disabilities control household devices and complete daily tasks using voice recognition software.
[28] Participants noted that due to each of their unique disabilities, there was a need for the app to allow personalisation by the user in order to modify content appearance such as the size and colour of text.
The Commonwealth Bank Eftpos system that was released in 2017 was an example of a poorly executed app that did not include accessibility features.
[29] Such people were forced to resort to family members to complete their weekly grocery shop because the individual had stopped going to retailers with these machines.
[29] A few years later, in 2019, Commonwealth Bank of Australia agreed to introduce a software upgrade to the Eftpos machine to make it more accessible for the visually impaired.
[30] Finally, CBA also created a video for card holders demonstrating how they can activate the accessibility features and use them when purchasing an item in store.
[1] Data collection of user's personal information can be used to influence search engine results, direct marketing, and opens up the possibility of mass surveillance by the government and private sector.
[1] Additionally, there is a form of technology that allows people who have diabetes to monitor their blood glucose and administers insulin when required.
[1] However, this same technology poses a threat to individuals because it enables a platform for cybercrime where abuse, exploitation, intimidation and threatening conduct becomes possible.
For example, older people may have difficulty accessing online government services or could be at risk of personal health data being exploited.
[1] For example, in Australia, The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) expects that all private sector companies and government bodies release information that is accessible to all groups of society.
Entertainment: AI enables visually and hearing-impaired individuals to enjoy films and shows with features like audio subtitles and sign interpretation.
Education: AI-powered tools like real-time transcription, text-to-speech, and writing aids enhance learning for students with disabilities, making classrooms more inclusive.
Employment: AI eases the job search for people with disabilities and promotes inclusive workplaces by automating tasks and tailoring work environments to specific needs.
[32] Ava is a mobile app that helps people who are deaf or hard of hearing join group conversations by transcribing speech into text in real-time, supporting multiple languages.