[Definitive Guide] Empowering People with Disabilities through AI: Enhancing Lives with Reiwa Era AI Techniques

Do you use AI in your daily life? Many people think of AI as "complicated," and it still tends to be avoided. However, AI has rapidly become widespread in recent years and is now a tool accessible to many. It can sometimes solve challenges faced by people with disabilities, so we hope many will master its use.

This article explains AI utilization techniques tailored to different disabilities. Master AI correctly and achieve a richer life.

1. Why "AI Utilization for People with Disabilities" is Important Now

1-1. AI is No Longer Just for IT Experts

In the past, AI was something only those with advanced programming skills or IT companies dealt with, making it far removed from the general public. However, this perception has dramatically changed in recent years, and now AI is a convenient tool accessible to everyone in daily life and work.

For example, in a survey conducted in caregiving and disability welfare settings, it was found that 71.2% of staff use generative AI at least once a week. This indicates that AI is no longer a special technology but a familiar presence that can be used daily.

Being able to master AI is likely to be an essential skill in the coming era.

1-2. A Tool to Solve Challenges Caused by Disabilities

People with disabilities or chronic illnesses face various challenges in their daily lives and work. By utilizing AI, it is sometimes possible to supplement what is lacking. In other words, AI can sometimes act as the eyes, ears, and brain for people with disabilities, greatly expanding their possibilities and activities as a "supporter".

1-3. New Ways of Working with AI

Recently, new ways of working that leverage AI skills, such as "IT-specialized employment transition support," have increased. For those who want to learn AI in depth, utilizing such support systems might be beneficial.

AI is still a relatively new industry, so people with high skills are in demand, and the demand is expected to grow. In other words, AI skills will become a significant asset, regardless of whether one has a disability.

By utilizing AI, you can expand what you can do and broaden your employment opportunities. This might be a good opportunity to try out side jobs.

If you're interested in side jobs, be sure to check out the following article as well.

Reference:

2. AI Tools to Enhance Daily Life by Disability Type

2-1. [Physical Disabilities] Reduce the Burden of "Writing and Typing" with Voice Input

If you have disabilities that make handwriting or keyboard input difficult, utilize the "voice input" feature to smoothly handle office tasks and communication with just your voice. You can create documents and gather information without keyboard operations, minimizing physical fatigue while maintaining high productivity. Here are some recommended tools that offer voice input capabilities:

• ChatGPT

A conversational AI service developed by OpenAI. It generates responses to user inputs (prompts) across a wide range of tasks, including text generation, summarization, translation, and information search.

Reference: ChatGPT｜OpenAI

• Microsoft Copilot

An AI assistant provided by Microsoft. It leverages advanced AI for information search, document creation, image generation, and integration with Office products, supporting user efficiency and productivity.

Reference: Microsoft Copilot: Your AI Assistant｜Microsoft

2-2. [Visual Impairments] Understand Images and Graphs with "Words"! AI Complements Vision

Recent AI developments have increased the availability of "multimodal capabilities" that can process not only text but also images simultaneously. Advanced AI technology now allows for verbal explanations of images and graphs that previous screen readers couldn't recognize.

Additionally, using AI-equipped navigation apps can make AI your eyes, explaining the surrounding environment. This not only supports independent outings for visually impaired individuals but also helps quickly detect hazards like obstacles. Recommended AI tools for visually impaired individuals include the following two:

• Gemini

A cutting-edge generative AI developed by Google. It can understand not only text but also images and videos, as well as handle audio and code. For example, if you load a document containing complex graphs or diagrams and ask, "What can be inferred from this graph?" it will accurately explain the numbers and key points in the graph as text. It's versatile and convenient for brainstorming, programming, image generation, and more.

Reference: Google Gemini｜Google

• Eye Navi

A navigation app for visually impaired individuals.

AI recognizes over 20 types of obstacles, such as people, bollards, pedestrian signal colors, and tactile paving, and informs users via audio. It also provides directions, routes, and information about nearby facilities, ensuring safe independent outings for visually impaired individuals.

Reference: Eye Navi for the Visually Impaired｜Computer Science Research Institute

2-3. [Hearing Impairments] AI Converts Speech to Text in Real-Time! Deliver Information and Conversations Visually

For individuals with hearing impairments who often face communication barriers, meetings and discussions can be challenging. By using AI for real-time transcription and summarization, you can visualize meeting and conversation content, breaking down communication barriers.

Recommended AI tools for hearing-impaired individuals that can be used in work or educational settings include the following:

• YYsystem

A series of real-time transcription apps by Aisin Corporation.

It supports multilingual translation, making it convenient not only for hearing-impaired individuals but also for speakers of foreign languages. Additionally, it includes a feature where AI summarizes conversations, providing peace of mind during lengthy meetings or fast-paced discussions. With seven different apps available for various scenes and purposes, you can find one that suits your needs.

Reference: Record, Save, and Analyze Conversations with Apps｜YYSystem

• Focus on AI Transcription + Summarization Devices

AI-powered "transcription + summarization" devices are gaining significant attention among people with hearing impairments.

While smartphone transcription apps are capable, dedicated devices separate from smartphones are becoming a trend. For example, AI-equipped real-time transcription voice recorders like Plaud NotePin and Notta memo are emerging. These AI-driven transcription devices significantly contribute to business efficiency and are beneficial not only for hearing-impaired individuals but also in professional settings. If you're interested, give them a try.

Reference: Automatic Transcription, AI Voice Recorder, Meeting Minutes Creation｜Plaud

Reference: Automatic Transcription Service｜Notta

2-4. [Developmental Disabilities] AI as a Reliable Partner for Task Management and Interpersonal Communication

For individuals with developmental disabilities, "multitasking" and "understanding others' intentions" can be challenging due to their characteristics. AI can often support such challenges. Convenient AI tools for people with developmental disabilities include the following:

• Notion

An all-in-one workspace integrating notes, task management, wikis, databases, and more. It helps organize thoughts and manage tasks, making priorities visible even if your thoughts are scattered. Additionally, it features an AI tool called "Notion AI" that can assist with communication, such as crafting an email to decline without offending the recipient.

Reference: Connected Workspace for Notes, Documents, and Tasks｜Notion

• Perplexity

A next-generation AI search service combining a search engine and generative AI. It provides the source web pages as references for its answers, making it easy to verify the reliability of information, suitable for research.

The paid version also offers a "task" feature that automatically runs predefined research or checks at set times. It sends regular email notifications, making it ideal for those who want to continuously research specific topics.

Reference: Perplexity｜Perplexity AI, Inc.

2-5. [Mental Disabilities] Share Invisible Struggles and Hardships

For individuals with mental disabilities, daily fluctuations in health and thought confusion can be significant barriers in life and work. AI can be helpful in addressing these invisible challenges. Additionally, AI can sometimes help improve work efficiency. Recommended AI tools for individuals with mental disabilities include the following:

• AI Chat-kun

A conversational AI tool available within the LINE app, equipped with ChatGPT. It allows you to easily seek mental support or assistance with writing from the familiar LINE interface at any time.

Reference: AI Chat-kun｜LINE Official Account

• notebookLM

An AI-powered research and learning assistant provided by Google. It can read PDFs, websites, YouTube videos, documents, and more, providing summaries, analyses, and Q&A based on the content. It helps with summarizing emails, news articles, and documents, reducing the "mental burden" on days when you're not feeling well.

Reference: Google NotebookLM｜AI Research Tool & Thought Partner｜Google

2-6. [Internal Disabilities & Chronic Illnesses] Gather Limited Information Efficiently to Reduce Burden

Individuals with internal disabilities or chronic illnesses often experience invisible fatigue. They may also find it challenging to understand complex and scarce information about their conditions. In such cases, utilizing AI can help manage fatigue and efficiently gather information.

• Genspark

An AI tool that acts like a secretary, coordinating and scheduling with your email and calendar, making it suitable for managing schedules while preserving the energy of those who tire easily. It integrates with your calendar to schedule appointments, and you can customize rules to match your health, such as "only two heavy tasks per day" or "no consecutive days of outings," ensuring peace of mind for those who tire easily.

Additionally, when researching your condition, Genspark's search engine handles it all. It provides summaries based on web sources, allowing you to use it confidently and efficiently without repeatedly searching.

Reference: Genspark｜Your All-in-One AI Workspace

3. Important Points When Using AI Tools

AI is highly convenient, but you must understand its characteristics correctly before using it. If used incorrectly, AI can sometimes become a dangerous tool. Before using AI tools, be sure to understand these important points.

3-1. AI is Not a Source of Correct Answers

The most significant caution when using AI is "hallucination." Hallucination refers to misinformation, where AI outputs content that is not factual.

For instance, in a survey conducted in caregiving and disability welfare settings, 53.7% of users expressed concern about receiving "incorrect information".

It's essential not to take AI's responses at face value and always verify them against official primary sources or expert opinions.

3-2. Be Cautious with Personal Information and Privacy

When handling highly confidential information, such as personal data, it's advisable not to input it carelessly, considering the risk of information leakage. Inputting information without the individual's consent can potentially lead to legal violations and penalties.

3-3. The Risk of Shadow AI

Using AI tools for work without official approval from your employer is known as shadow AI. Despite the growing prevalence of AI, many workplaces lack clear rules for AI usage. Many individuals use free AI versions for work, posing a high risk of personal information leakage.

AI should be used as a tool to support your work and life. To protect your thinking ability, aim to use it effectively with a good balance.

4. Conclusion

AI can supplement missing functions and expand possibilities for people with disabilities. There may be more things that