I had the privilege of attending the Royal Society’s launch of its Disability Technology report last month, a thought-provoking and, at times, deeply personal event that brought together policymakers, technologists, researchers, and disabled people to reflect on where we are and where we need to go.

The evening opened with powerful remarks from Professor Alison Noble, who reminded us that disability is a universal human experience, something every person will encounter in some form over their lifetime. That perspective was carried through the evening: disability not as an exception, but as part of what it means to be human.

It began with time to explore a range of fascinating exhibits, from the Google Accessibility Discovery Centre, EyeHarp, and Waymap, to Auracast, Blind Ambition, and an immersive installation by artist Christopher Samuel. There was also space to connect with others working across disability and technology, and to pause and reflect on the scale and depth of the challenges ahead.

This was followed by the formal launch of the report, beginning with a short film and a presentation outlining its key findings. A powerful panel discussion rounded out the evening, offering diverse perspectives on the current state of disability technology and where we need to go next.

At the heart of it all was the report itself: Disability Technology, the result of two years of research, including interviews with 800 disabled people, 2,000 members of the public, and insights drawn from the UK, US, India, and Kenya. If you missed the event, I encourage you to watch the recording, or explore the full report. For those who find listening easier, an audio version is also available.

The report makes a clear and compelling case that disability technology isn’t, and nor should it be, an afterthought. It is a core part of digital inclusion, economic participation, and innovation. It calls for better data, more inclusive design, and greater investment in assistive technology.

One recommendation that especially stood out to me was the call to recognise smartphones as assistive technology, on par with hearing aids or white canes. As someone who uses mobile tech every day to communicate, access information, and navigate the world, I was pleased to see this acknowledged. I’d love to see this extended to tablets as well. For many people, especially those using devices like the iPad with alternative input methods or larger screens, they’re no less vital.

Another theme that resonated was the role of policy. One panellist observed that digital exclusion is not just a failure of design, it is a failure of policy too. Designing for inclusion is not enough if the systems around that design don’t support access, funding, or awareness.

Professor Annalu Waller closed the evening with words that lingered long after the panel ended: “We need to inculcate in every person the understanding that disability is not abnormal, but part of being human. Everyone, at some stage, will be disabled. So we need to give them a voice and not write them off.”

There is still a long road ahead, but this felt like a significant and hopeful moment, not just in highlighting challenges, but in pushing the conversation toward action. The Royal Society and others have stressed that we must now reframe how we value assistive technology, recognising its role in everyday life, not just as specialist tools, and ensuring equitable access through inclusive research and policy. The report also emphasises that disabled people must be meaningfully involved from the outset of any design process. The challenge now is to ensure that momentum carries forward, that disability technology is not just discussed, but prioritised, invested in, and embedded across the digital future.

Martin Pistorius
Karten Network Technology Advisor