These advances allow many to once again lead standard lifestyles without fear of compromise or injury.
Wearable technologies and customized manufacturing techniques are delivering renewed freedom and self-sufficiency to individuals with disabilities and illnesses, or enhancing existing strengths and abilities.
Innovators
Community innovators utilizing emerging technologies to expand human capacity
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Implications
- Enabling individuals of all abilities to participate equally reduces discriminatory practices, biases and perceptions.
- Increasingly self-sufficient populations contribute positively to a community’s productivity, innovation, and physiological and mental well-being.
- Medical, psychological and interpersonal assists offload certain tasks from medical and community-building professionals who can focus their time and energy on more acute challenges.
12.6%of the US population have a form of disability. The American Community.
Survey, Census Bureau, 2014
40%of students with disabilities don’t graduate.
Building A Grad Nation, Alliance For Excellent Education, 2015
$11.4billion monthly social security payouts to people with disabilities nationwide in 2016, up from $6.1 billion in 2006
9% of American adults had limited proficiency in the English language in 2014.
FRS: Immigrants And Immigration In The United States, MPI, 2016
Examples
Additional organizations optimizing human potential through the use of 3D-printed materials, wearable tech or augmented reality.
SuitX
Exoskeleton helps paraplegics walk again.
Waverly Labs
earpiece translates conversation in real-time allowing people from all cultures to communicate.
Verily
Ex-life sciences team with Google will make medicine practice and preventative with nanoparticiple.
Open Bionics
3D-printed superhero prosthetics offer custom fit and style for kids
Loop Genomics
Platform reads and fixes DNA bringing new information to disease prevention and genetic development.