Understanding the Disabilities Market
Gaining Insight into the Market for Disabilities
Individuals with impairments are frequently disregarded by industries. People who use wheelchairs, are hearing – an/or vision-impaired, face cognitive challenges, or have other disabilities that can benefit from today’s technological breakthroughs. Working-age adults with disabilities have more money to spend on non-essentials than the Black and Hispanic markets combined, with a reported discretionary income of $21 billion.
Nonetheless, despite the fact that technology is making it easier for many people to work, many workers with impairments are ignored for jobs. But things are changing for the better.
Company Triples Its Revenue and Assists in the Launch of Disability Inclusion Programs for the Warehouse Labor Market
A consulting firm tripled its income in 2021 and intends to do it again this year by assisting warehouses in hiring underutilized workers.
The warehousing market, like many others, is experiencing a labor shortage. James Emmett & Company assists employers in developing disability inclusion initiatives to fill labor market gaps. UPS, PepsiCo, Walgreens, and Advance Auto Parts are among the companies with which the organization has collaborated.
The advantages are mutual. Companies in need of labor frequently do not comprehend the possibilities of people with impairments, and people with disabilities are frequently underemployed. Disability inclusion programs assist employers in improving training and communication with both impaired and non-disabled employees.
A Rush Order for Custom Wheelchair Parts with QuickSaw Waterjet Cutting Makes the Journey Easier
Assume you are preparing to embark on a multi-week journey when your wheelchair breaks. That is what occurred to one person, who went to waterjet cutting to address the problem quickly when the piece the individual needed was out of stock.
Jeff Snell was getting set to travel for Mozambique, South Africa, and Swaziland when his wheelchair’s sideguard holder broke. This element prevents an individual’s hips from rubbing against the chair’s wheels in rough terrain, which can cause serious injury.
Snell, a past Big Blue Saw customer, turned to the bespoke manufacturer for a QuickSaw Rush Order. He made a Sketchup model and exported it to DXF. Big Blue Saw assisted him in selecting suitable materials a few hours after he sent his email. The items arrived two days later. Snell was able to drill holes to his specifications and attach the pieces with plenty of time to test everything out before leaving on his trip because of the speedy turnaround.
Smart Walkers Increase Safety and Independence
Time Visos-Ely’s grandmother has always been there for him and his family. VIsos-Ely learned Grandma Chris’s use of a walker increased her danger of falling after she suffered repeated strokes. As a result, the mechanical engineer co-founded a company to assist her, and everyone else who uses walkers, in avoiding preventable mishaps.
StrideTech has developed a walker adapter that converts any walker into a smart walker. Within one week, it has been demonstrated to enhance walker utilization by 94%.
When risky actions, such as pushing the walker too far way or placing too much weight on it, are identified, the StrideTech Go vibrates and offers visible feedback to the user. It not only promotes safe walking practices, but it also helps to improve posture. The attachment assists individuals who use walkers in maintaining their independence.
Expansion of the Disability Market
- 1 in 4 U.S. adults has a disability
- 13.7% of American adults have significant difficulty walking or climbing stairs
- 10.8% of American adults have significant difficulty making decisions, concentrating, or retaining
- 2.7 million people in the U.S. use wheelchairs
- 80% of disabilities happen during the workforce age (18-64 years old)
- The rate of poverty is higher among those with disabilities
- 16.3% o adults with disabilities are likely to have diabetes (compared to 7.2% without disabilities)
- 11.4% of adults with disabilities are likely to have heart disease (compared to 3.8% without disabilities)
- The average coast of a wheelchair intended for everyday use is $1,000-$2,000
- The total disposable income for individuals of working age who have disabilities is $490 billion (after taxes)
Considerations for the Disability Market
Batteries – Replacement batteries can range in price from $70 to $450, depending on the type of motorized wheelchair. People seek out the best battery kinds, high-quality chargers, and battery care and maintenance practices.
EV vehicles for people in wheelchairs – The EV car industry is expanding, but it does not necessarily include drivers in wheelchairs. Kenguru is promoted as the first EV designed exclusively for people who use wheelchairs. Since then, a few other EV automakers have created inclusive designs, but some have restrictions such as tight ramps, no room for additional passengers, and short battery life.
Smart homes – Most houses are not designed to be accessible to people with impairments. Individuals with visual impairment can benefit from voice communication devices, dogs are being trained to wave their noses over sensors that deliver text messages to blind handlers, and #D-rinted cup straps can help individuals with limb differences.
Video games – Advanced simulation video games can let gamers with disabilities virtually tour the world, which can help decrease stress. But, video game controllers aren’t for everyone, so researchers last year developed a 3D printed soft robotic hand capable of beating a Nintendo video game level in under 90 seconds, with the intention of researching how it could be utilized for personalized prosthetics and rehabilitation equipment.
Information from Thomasnet
