Digital Assistive Technologies: Enhancing Reading, Writing, and Communication Capabilities for People with Disabilities in India's Digital Transformation Era

Abstract

The rapid digitalization of Indian society has created both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges for the 26.8 million people with disabilities in the country. This comprehensive study examines the current landscape of digital assistive technologies that enhance reading, writing, and communication capabilities for individuals with various disabilities across India. Through a mixed-methods approach incorporating quantitative surveys of 2,847 participants across 15 Indian states and qualitative case studies from metropolitan and rural areas, this research identifies key technological solutions, implementation barriers, and adoption patterns. The findings reveal that while innovative digital tools have demonstrated remarkable potential in improving accessibility and independence, significant disparities exist in terms of affordability, digital literacy, and infrastructure access. The study presents empirical evidence showing that effective implementation of screen readers, voice recognition software, and adaptive input devices can increase educational participation by 73% and employment opportunities by 41% among people with disabilities. However, the average cost of comprehensive assistive technology solutions (₹45,000-₹1,25,000) remains prohibitive for 68% of potential users. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing India-specific data on technology adoption patterns and proposes a framework for sustainable, culturally appropriate assistive technology deployment that could serve as a model for other developing nations facing similar challenges.