The internet revolution has been particularly transformative for people with disabilities, enabling remarkable innovation in accessibility technology. This includes innovations that empower independent living and improve the daily lives of people with disabilities. One area where the internet and broadband access have had a significant impact is in accessible travel.

Accessible Travel Innovations

The internet has enabled the development of various technologies that make travel more accessible for people with disabilities. For example, there are now canes integrated with sensors for functionalities such as fall detection, SOS voice calls, gait measuring, and other mobility tracking. There are also services that bring eyes to the visually impaired through instant wireless connections and artificial intelligence. And there are even connected prosthetic limbs that enable manufacturers to extend clinical expertise into patients’ daily lives through data collection and analysis of user behavior.

Technology, the Gig, and App Economy

Today, the use of technology and the gig economy across industries create new opportunities and barriers for the disability community. Advances in technology, web-based systems, artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, 5G technology, and “smart” states and cities can provide for new ways of navigation, access to services, and employment. But development of these new tools often outpaces the development of accessibility standards, and disabled people are frequently excluded from enjoying the benefits of these tools.