Assistive technology refers to devices, software and technology that helps people with disabilities to perform tasks that might otherwise be difficult or impossible for them.

DEI stands for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

It represents a set of principles and practices that work to promote diversity within organisations, ensure equitable treatment of all individuals and fosters inclusive environments where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute their perspectives and talents.

Diversity means recognising and celebrating that people are different in many ways. This might include differences in race, gender, abilities or disabilities, socio-economic or cultural backgrounds. Embracing diversity makes workplaces, schools and communities more interesting and provides a wide range of experience and points of view, all of which are valuable.

Equity means making things fair for everyone. When there are things that might stop someone having the same opportunities as others, equity challenges and fixes those things - like rules or systems - so everyone has a fair chance at success. Equity involves providing resources, support, and accommodations to ensure everyone can thrive.

Inclusion is all about making sure everyone feels like they belong. Inclusive places welcome, respect and value individuals, just for being themselves. It means ensuring all voices are heard and that we appreciate and embrace diverse perspectives, experiences, and contributions.

Find out how Dolphin assistive technology can help improve DEI at your organisation.

Dolphin develops assistive technology software for people with visual impairments.

Dolphin assistive technology benefits people who are blind or partially sighted. It also benefits people with other print disabilities, which include dyslexia, as it enables independent access to computers. Dolphin software is used to access and read the information on computer screens. This might be through a screen magnifier or screen reader such as SuperNova, or with an easy-to-use software such as GuideConnect.

The benefits of assistive technology are experienced in different places: at home, at work and thoughout education. In the workplace, it gives professionals access to work, so people with visual impairments can do their job independently. At school, college and university, assistive technology helps young people independently read and study; while at home it enables people with visual impairments to complete everyday tasks and communicate independently.

Better accessibility also has more far-reaching benefits for society, communities and individuals. For example, a business website that's designed accessibly is more easily searched by Google and other search engines, which positively impacts SEO. For schools, children who are able to study and read independently at the same time as their classmates means better learning outcomes for them, and could mean less disruption in class and a reduction in spend for the school's budget. Accessibility means independence and inclusion for many people - it offers a place in society that's considered, valued and appreciated. 

Assistive technology improves accessibility by providing ways to access information and perform tasks independently.

Dolphin assistive technology provides ways people with visual impairments to independently complete tasks using their computer, tablet or smartphone. These tasks might include reading digital information, browsing the internet, reading printed material, reading books, communicating with friends, working independently or studying.

For people with visual impairment, the types of assistive technology available from Dolphin include screen magnifiers, screen readers, accessible reading apps, conversion tools and software development kits. 

Screen reading software such as SuperNova converts text on a computer screen into synthesized speech or braille output. This means it's readable by people who are visually impaired. Screen Readers can help people who are blind read and navigate websites, documents, emails, apps, books etc. 

Screen magnification software such as SuperNova Magnifier enlarges the appearance of text and other items on a computer screen - such as images, the cursor or mouse arrow - so that it's easier to read, explore and navigate for people with visual impairments.

Optical Character Recognition (OCR) uses a scanner or printer to recognise printed text and convert it into digital text. This can then be read aloud by a screen reader or displayed on a Braille device. It enables people with visual impairments to access and read printed materials such as books, documents, writing on images, and signs.

Libraries of accessible books and audiobook services offer a vast collection of accessible, digital books and other media. This enables people with visual impairments and other print impairments such as dyslexia to read a wide range of materials in accessible formats. These are especially useful for students.  Educational institutions and publishers increasingly provide textbooks and learning materials in accessible digital formats, which enables blind students or students with other print disabilities to access the same educational content as their sighted peers.

There are more types of assistive technology available for people who are blind or partially sighted, all of which should promote diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) for people with visual impairments.

There is a range of assistive technology products which benefit professionals with visual impairments. Common assistive technology includes screen readers, screen magnification software, braille displays, Optical character recognition (OCR), scanners and specialised equipment which can include CCTV video cameras or scanners.

Meet diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) goals by providing assistive technology such as screen magnification software, screen readers and document conversion tools for your staff. The right assistive technology helps ensure professionals with visual impairments are able to do their job productively and independently.

People with visual impairments benefit professionally from assistive technology developed by Dolphin Computer Access. Dolphin offers a range of software that meets the needs of anyone who is blind or partially sighted across an organisation. Find out more about assistive technology for organisations.