London, UK – A major report by the Royal Society, the UK’s national academy of sciences, is calling for a global shift in how digital assistive technologies (AT) are developed, stressing that individuals with disabilities must be at the center of the design process. The report, titled Disability Technology, warns that excluding disabled people from co-designing services and tools is hindering the transformative potential of technology for the 1.3 billion people worldwide who need it.
The findings emphasize that digital AT—ranging from screen readers to accessible smartphone apps—is a crucial enabler of independent living and employment. Over half of surveyed users reported they could not live the way they do without these technologies.
Crucially, the report recommends that governments and international bodies officially recognize smartphones as assistive technology—equating them with devices like wheelchairs and hearing aids. This policy change would ensure that mainstream devices, which are often more affordable and less stigmatizing, are factored into the provision of essential services like health and education. The Royal Society urges governments, tech companies, and researchers to break down financial and infrastructural barriers, including addressing the high cost of specialized AT and improving mobile data access in underserved areas. The ultimate goal is to move towards genuinely inclusive design that benefits everyone.