'Disability drives innovation' - 7 things we use daily that were made for disabled people
In light of the disability cuts made by Labour's Welfare Bill on July 1, disability organisations, allies and content creators have come together online to educate the Brits on the ways disabled people have contributed to everyday life.
Achieving over 428,000 likes on Instagram, Influencer Chronically Jenni 's reel shows viewers the everyday parts of life derived from the needs of the disabled community. Her activism is one of a chorus of voices paving the way for disability awareness and rights in the UK.
"Disability drives innovation. Accessibility helps everyone. So next time you use one of these, remember where it came from. Be sure to share this so more people realise the impact disability has on their lives," Jenni said in her viral video.
Ramps
Perhaps the most obvious, ramps were first built for wheelchair access, tackling the obstacle of stairs. Now, they're the easiest route for parents with prams, cyclists on bikes and travellers with suitcases.
The caption of her post says: "You know the little ramp at the end of a pavement? That's called a curb cut; made for wheelchair users. But now used by parents with buggies, cyclists, people with suitcases and more".
Coining it "the curb cut effect," Jenni went on to show how "access for disabled people ends up helping everyone".
Velcro
The Velcro on trainers and school bags that makes every life easier was initially used by those in disability care. Jenni shares that this was "long before" the product became the replacement for shoelaces, and kids' best friend.
The electric toothbrush
An estimated 34 million Brits use an electric toothbrush for dental hygiene, according to Dental Health - and they may be surprised to find out that their 'swear-by' toothbrushes were or "originally designed for people with limited grip or coordination".
Text-to-speech and voice aids
Used in corporate, universities and a majority of Smart technologies, dictation tools used to help type and read-aloud texts were first made for the blind and visually impaired. "What first began as a literary and verbal aid is now how most smartphone users place calls, make notes and even set timers as they cook," suggests Jenni.
Audiobooks
Another aid for blind and visually impaired readers, the ever-popular audiobook is increasingly used by fans of #BookTok and commuters alike. The tool has also been made available on Spotify, Audible and Apple, and is now a Gen-Z favourite for entertainment on-the-go.
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Touchless and automatic doors
Saving the general public significant time pushing heavy doors open for queues, the now staple of modern supermarkets, stores, airports and hospitals is the automatic door. Whilst this may not be as shocking as the electric toothbrush, it is important to realise how inclusive architecture helps all - especially those in fast-paced environments.
Subtitles and captions
Created for those experiencing deafness, the infamous 'subs' are a "on or off" debate between film and TV fans worldwide. This handy tool is a blessing on long flights, busy train rides and for those of us who often forget their headphones.
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