Nominations sought from Engineers for O_2 Ability Awards 2005

摘要

As a profession, engineers have an important role in facilitating universal access for people with disabilities. Key technologies, such as speech recognition and synthesis, mobility aids, remote control systems, and information technology provide an improved quality of life and increased independence to people with disabilities. Fully accessible ATM machines available in the US enable people to hear their bank balances by a discreet plug in system. Speech synthesis systems make email communication accessible to blind and visually impaired people. Not only people with disabilities stand to benefit from the widespread availability of these technologies, for example speech recognition systems can offer an alternative for computer users at risk of developing repetitive strain injury. In Ireland, meanwhile, UCD's Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, situated in the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire, a team led by Professor Annraoi de Paor are developing pioneering technology to facilitate communication and control by people with disabilities.