Several software companies are already using this technology in their reading and foreign language programs. Speech recognition technology is helpful to students who are vision-impaired or paralyzed because they can talk to the computer and it will type what they say. Technology can be a great equalizer in the traditional classroom. Low vision students can carry a laptop computer with them to class to enlarge their work. Technological advances in wheelchairs are also allowing individuals with paralysis or muscular disorders to live meaningful, purposeful lives.
Special cars allow an individual to drive by using hand levers, instead of gas and brake pedals.
And as we enter the 21st century, technology will continue at break-neck speed to improve the quality of life for individuals with special needs. We will see more smart houses being built where many things are done automatically, via computers. We are seeing improvements in voice recognition programs and in telecommunication shopping. We will see first-time movies run on our computers on the same day they reach the big screen. We will see audio descriptive services for blind and visually impaired persons used more on television and in the movies.