Why Smartphones Are Essential for Disabled Drivers
It’s hard to believe we ever lived in a time without cellphones! Nowadays, it seems like everyone is attached to their phones 24/7. Besides using them to catch up with friends and family, or to play games or scroll social media when we’re bored, there are numerous ways that our cell phones can help make our lives easier. If you’re wondering why smartphones are essential for disabled drivers in particular, keep reading for more info.
Why are smartphones a must-have?
There are several reasons smartphones can be lifesavers when you’re out on the road. Perhaps the most important is that a phone can be a lifeline if you need to reach out for help when you’re away from home. If you need assistance, you can easily text or call friends or family for help. For more serious issues, you can use your phone to call for emergency services like 911 or for roadside assistance like AAA if you’re having car trouble. Whether you’re having a health issue or your car has a flat tire, your smartphone can give you instant access to help. Because of this accessibility, you can have more peace of mind when you’re out and about, which can also allow you to be independent despite your disability.
Smartphones can also be helpful when you head to appointments, because you can access paper records (including medical ones) from your phone while you’re away from home. You can store your records directly on your phone or access them using an Internet connection on your phone. Either way, you won’t have to lug lots of files around with you, and you won’t have to worry about forgetting important documentation at home. Everything you need will always be right at your fingertips as long as your phone is in hand – just one more way technology is helping disabled drivers!
Image by Foundry on Pixabay: There are many smartphone models that will work well for disabled individuals.
What are the best smartphones for disabled drivers?
If you’re wondering, “Is Apple or Android better for people with disabilities?”, the answer depends on what your particular disability is. Both Apple and Android models offer features that can make using a phone easier as a disabled person. For example, if you have vision problems, you can get some models custom-made to have larger numbers that are easier to see. Some models also stick to basic functions so that people with cognitive issues will have a simpler time operating their phones. To determine the best smartphone for you, it can be helpful to contact your cell service provider for assistance. Their employees should be able to advise on a specific phone that will best fit your needs.
What are the best apps for disabled drivers?
There are some apps available on iOS or Android that can help disabled people use their phones more easily. These can include apps that allow you to virtually operate your phone without having to touch the phone itself; Google Maps, which can tell you where wheelchair-accessible entrances are in a specific location; and apps that can narrate what your phone camera is seeing if you have vision problems. Most smartphones come with an assistant feature (like Siri for Apple), where you can use your voice to ask for help with a variety of different tasks – making a phone call, sending a text, finding out the weather, etc. Some disabled individuals might also want to try out apps like WheelMate, which uses your GPS location to locate clean, handicap-accessible restrooms (and parking spaces, too!).
Image by kaboompics on Pixabay: You can use your phone to access apps designed to help disabled drivers.
There are also some specific disabled parking apps that can be really helpful for handicap parking permit holders. As mentioned above, Google Maps can help you locate wheelchair-accessible entrances, elevators, seating, and parking itself. You can also access the Blue Badge Parking website from your smartphone (either iOS or Android); this database uses your GPS to track your exact location and then points you to the nearest disabled parking space. There’s even a satellite view option so you can see if there’s enough space to enter and exit from a side-entry wheelchair-accessible vehicle. There’s also the Parking Mobility app (for both Apple and Android devices) that allows you to report people illegally parking in handicap places. This can help authorities crack down on people abusing the handicap parking privilege so there’s more accessible parking available for the people who really need it.
Utilizing your smartphone’s many features means you can be more prepared when you head out into the world. With your disabled parking permit in hand, you can access more convenient parking places, which leaves you with more energy to tackle other more important tasks. Plus, knowing that you can get assistance via your phone if you need it should help you feel more autonomous and more capable of doing what you want without having to worry about your disability affecting your day. Just make sure to check with your cell service carrier or phone manufacturer when buying a phone so you can customize the perfect phone for your needs. Follow up by downloading some of the apps listed above, and then you can hit the road knowing you’ve got all your bases covered!
Featured image by JESHOOTS-com on Pixabay