Article from The Star, Written by Rick Hansen

By 2030, one in five people in Canada will have a disability — creating a huge economic opportunity to invest in that demographic.

When I imagine what life could be like in 2025 for people with disabilities, two realities come to mind.

In one reality, we have successfully collaborated with the technology industry and used the power of innovation to remove barriers for people with disabilities. In that world, people who once had limited mobility can walk again; those with sight challenges don’t have to modify their work stations to do their jobs; and accessibility information and navigation is readily available to the people who need it.

In the other reality, we have let a huge opportunity pass us by. We have let technology benefit certain sectors, but have missed out on making accessibility a priority because of misconceptions and outdated stigmas about the potential of people with disabilities. We absolutely cannot let this happen. Technology has the power to liberate ability, and with awareness and the right incentives, it can change all of our lives, not just those of us who have — or will have — disabilities.

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE – https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/05/06/how-new-technology-can-transform-the-world-for-people-with-disabilities.html