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Health: Global Challenge Underway To Find New Innovations That Help People With Disabilities

By Stephanie Stahl

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --   Technology that takes us to far away planets can also change lives here on earth.  There's a global challenge underway to find new innovations that help people with disabilities.

Paul Kotler talks through a computer and says, 'I want people to know that I am a normal guy who just happens to communicate differently.. I have a lot to say if people take the time to listen.

Paul, who's 26 year old and lives in Newtown Square with his mom and dad, is autistic.  His mom Melinda says, "Paul is amazing..  he was diagnosed at about two-years-old.

Paul also has some related issues with anxiety and impulse control.  He works closely with therapist at the Talk Institute and School in Newtown Square. Paul says, "People like me do not have cognitive issues, just because we cannot communicate like typical people does not mean that we have a lower I-Q."

Until he learned to type when he was 14, Paul was trapped.  He had a mind full of ideas and feelings, a personality that he couldn't express.  Melinda says, "Through typing we were able to get to know Paul for the first time really."  But typing is slow, so Paul is hoping the

AT&T Connect Ability Challenge will come up with new technology that allows him to communicate quicker.

Innovations from around the world are being submitted not just to help people with communication disorders; the new technology could  help people with a variety of disabilities.  For example, there's an indoor navigation device for people who are blind.  For people with movement disorders, their tongue can control technology.  And for people like Paul with trouble talking, there's a wearable device that speaks customized phrases when a button is pushed.

Paul says, "New technologies can be a big part of helping people like me to communicate our thoughts feelings and needs."  He tested some of the innovations  and so did others with disabilities.  They will vote on the best innovation, the winner gets  100-thousand dollars.  There was also public voting.  "I hope to see some great new tools and help spread the idea of designing with empathy," Paul says.

He and his family are also hoping the new technology helps spread an important message about people with disabilities.  Melinda explains, "Not being able to speak does not mean that there is cognitive impairment and to think twice before you make judgments about people who have motor difficulties."

It's all about giving the disabled accessibility through innovation, that's the mission of the AT&T Connect Ability Challenge.  The winners will be announced July 26, on the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

http://connectability.challengepost.com/

https://diverseautism.wordpress.com/

www.talkinc.org

 

 

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