How Modern Technology is Helping People With Illnesses and Handicaps

In the past, life was very lonely, and often scary, for those living alone with chronic illnesses or handicaps. Now modern technology is there to assist users and make them feel less alone.

1. Telemed Providers

Those who have handicaps or are just recovering from a severe illness can now consult with physicians without leaving home. The telemedicine platform allows patients to speak online with a provider who can simultaneously talk to them and look at their medical history.

Once a patient signs up, they can log on any time of day or night to request an appointment with a physician who has access to their file. We all know that often people feel the worst and most nervous if they fall ill in the middle of the night. Traditionally, there has been no help available late at night except the emergency room.

Now, by being able to get in touch with a telemed provider, patients can feel more secure that help will come soon, rather than staying up all night debating about whether or not they need to call an ambulance. They will be able to express their concerns and receive expert advice based on their recent history any time of day or night.

Chronic or sudden illnesses, recurrences of previous illness or psychological illnesses can be talked about online via telemedicine.

2. Be My Eyes

Be My Eyes is a brilliant app that allows blind people to receive the instant help they may need. There are over 4,220,000 volunteers to assist 249,191 blind people, which means no one will ever go without the help they need. Sighted people are there to assist blind or limited vision people when they either have a simple question or a bigger issue.

The person needing help calls for a volunteer. Many volunteers will receive the call for assistance at the same time and the one who answers first will provide the help.

The blind person will be on camera and the volunteer will be able to see what they are requesting help with. Sometimes it's a major issue such as not knowing what street they're on. In this case, they would move the camera around as instructed by the sighted volunteer until they can see a landmark or street sign.

Other times, it's a simple everyday concern like "Which of these scarves in front of me is the red one?". The volunteer will be able to see what they're talking about and either say "The one you're touching now" or "The one on your right." Maybe a non-sighted woman just wants her makeup checked to be sure nothing is smeared or too garish and she can be reassured in a matter of minutes.

3. Uber WAV

Getting around can be very difficult for those in wheelchairs. Most city buses now have wheelchair lifts and straps that keep the wheelchair secure for the duration of the ride. However, it's quite an ordeal since the driver needs to stop, get them up into the bus, maybe ask other passengers to move, and flip the row of seats up to secure the wheelchair.

Uber is making a big effort to enlist drivers that own wheelchair accessible vans with either ramps or lifts. These drivers are listed in a separate app from regular Uber called Uber WAV, meaning "wheelchair accessible". This is much better than waiting for a bus to come by, especially if the weather is bad or it's late at night.

The rates are comparable to those in regular Uber and the wait time is guaranteed to be no more than 15 minutes.

There are many ways in which new technology can help those with handicaps and illnesses be less afraid and feel more connected to the rest of the world. Isolation is terrible and can cause depression and anxiety in addition to whatever other conditions the person has. Knowing that help is available at the touch of a button can bring a real sense of peace and security.