Google Helps the Disabled

Google.org is Google’s charity branch with assistance programs for those with disabilities.

Author: Attorney Lonnie Roach

Google’s motto from 2001 through 2015 was “Don’t be evil”. Their current motto, under the new company name Alphabet, is “Do the right thing”. The company has lived up to their motto by creating a charity branch- Google.org.

Google’s motto under the new company name Alphabet, is “Do the right thing”. The company has lived up to their motto by creating a charity branch- Google.org.

Google.org is going to donate $20 million to technology designed to help the disabled.

They found organizations working on projects through a campaign called Google Impact Challenge for Disabilities. Over 1,000 organizations responded with projects designed to help the disabled, but only 30 were chosen. Some of the projects include:

e-Nable

e-NABLE uses 3D printing to create prosthetic limbs. 3D printers are expanding in popularity and there has been much discussion on how they will shape the future. With a 3D printer, a prosthetic limb design can be downloaded and created anywhere. This could provide a huge benefit to those in remote locations who may not have access to prosthetics.

World Wide Hearing

World Wide Hearing develops high-efficiency hearing aids. They develop innovations for hearing equipment to make it cheaper, more portable, and more accessible to developing nations. Small innovations like solar batteries, self-programming devices, and fast-setting silicone molds lead to more durable, cheaper hearing aids that require less maintenance.

Smart Glasses

Smart Glasses help those with visual disabilities have a semblance of sight. It finds the outlines of objects and highlights them. Blind people who have tried the glasses have reviewed them positively, saying they are able to pour tea or see their guide dogs for the first time.

J’accede

J’accede is an app that helps travelers with disabilities see what places are accessible. Users can sort business by criteria such as: Wheelchair access, Disabled parking, Restrooms accessible, etc.…

The ARC

The Arc is a longstanding organization devoted to helping those with intellectual disabilities. They received a portion of the grant in order to help develop a search engine for people with cognitive disabilities. It helps disabled people find technology that might benefit their condition.

Motivation

Motivation is wheelchair manufacturer designing better fitting wheelchairs for developing nations. They focus on wheelchairs able to handle rugged terrain that are still inexpensive, adjustable, and easy to maintain.

Wayfindr

Wayfindr is an app that helps the visually impaired navigate. It is essentially a GPS that is specially designed for pedestrians. It gives special instructions such as “pass through the gate” that would help a blind or partially-sighted person get around independently.

Center for Discovery

The Center for Discovery is designing an attachment to a wheelchair that would convert a manual wheelchair to a motorized chair.

Click2Speak

Click2Speak is an on-screen keyboard for those who cannot use a standard keyboard. The keyboard is not controlled by hand, but by eye movements. The user can look at the keys they wish to press and the program will read their eye movements. It is fast and accurate enough that it can even be used to play World of Warcraft.

Neil Squire Society

LipSync is a mouth-controlled device that attaches to a smart phone. LipSync estimates nearly a million people in North America have severely limited arm mobility and would benefit from a device that would allow them to use a smart phone without their hands.

Leprosy Mission Trust India

The Leprosy Mission Trust is creating special 3D printed shoes for people leprosy. Leprosy can cause nerve damage which makes it impossible to walk, but special shoes can reduce the burden on the damaged parts of the feet.

Google has really helped people with disabilities with their donation. These emerging technologies offer a lot of hope to the disabled.