AROUND 15% of the world's population lives with special needs, and many still face barriers to their full integration in society. The theme of international development for the year 2017 was “transformation towards sustainable and resilient society for all, aimed at increasing awareness of disability with the transformative changes identified in the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UN believes that by combining sustainable development with disability initiatives, a lasting impact can be achieved, leading to a better world for all. The fragmented access to new technology has created a global gap in technological literacy. For over 25 years, Internet has achieved only 51% of global prevalence. Since the whole objective of technology is to improve the quality of life, it can play a vital role in helping everyone participate fully in society, ensuring complete accessibility. The desire to help everyone benefit with the advantages of technologies makes education and awareness extremely important, especially in emerging markets. Creating educational opportunities for all People with disabilities are usually excluded from higher education and sometimes vocational training, making it difficult for them to find meaningful jobs and build independent lives. In a society that already faces more than its fair share of challenges, vocational education programs in particular have the capacity not only to increase earning potential but also to improve self-esteem and a sense of purpose and inclusivity. Through its social responsibility activities, LG Electronics has emphasized the importance of improving the quality of life for the socially marginalized segments of society, striving to realize the aspirations of this group and the knowledge needed to enrich life. LG has provided a platform for people with disabilities to launch their careers in technology during the GITC conference this year. The platform aims at reducing the digital divide in the ability of participants to access technology and improve their chances of finding meaningful jobs. Improved access Comprehensive technology can greatly enhance the quality of life for each individual, as well as for the society as a whole. The organizations conscious of corporate social responsibility initiatives in this sector should expand access to technology and break down barriers to people with disabilities. LG Electronics believes in expanding technology and listening to the voice of all consumers. The Memorandum of Understanding with the Korean Confederation of the Blind is proof of its efforts to promote equality and increase the social inclusion of people with visual impairments. Similarly, the Memorandum of Understanding with the QoLT Center at Seoul National University ensures easy use of electronics while promoting improved access to the Internet and regulatory advice on technology for people with disabilities. LG has also been proactive in meeting the physical needs of people with special needs through CSR activities such as donating equipment to disability groups in the Philippines. In addition, LG collects and incorporates feedback from consumers with impaired vision, hearing and physical disability, in collaboration with disability organizations in the United States to provide products that are user-friendly. Inclusiveness by design The technology we see around us is designed primarily for people who are able to work. This leaves more than half of the world's population, which means that a number of demographic characteristics have been effectively overlooked by product designers. Those living with disabilities are one of the most prominent groups that must be short in both the digital and physical realm of design. For nearly one billion people around the world suffering from disability, interaction with everyday products can be strange. When designing everything from hardware to computers, consideration has been given to physically capable users, ignoring the difficulties of those with physical disabilities. LG Electronics expresses its commitment to both innovation and inclusiveness with the LG Signature lineup. The Auto Open Door feature of the refrigerator with an intelligent sensor opens the door automatically by dropping the light on the floor in front of the refrigerator to open gently — ideal for those who may not have the power or ability to open the refrigerator themselves. In addition, LG Washing Machines can be controlled more easily without forcing users to bend down. These and other features enhance comfort for physically fit users but also ensure effortless usage for people with disabilities or those with a problem of mechanical skills. The world is at your fingertips Despite recent trends, television is still incredibly popular with older generations. Among viewers aged 65 or older, 90% of video content is viewed on TV, only 47% of those are under the age of 20. Although TVs are becoming more advanced, older viewers find it increasingly difficult to adjust. These challenges get further complicated by older viewers suffering from hearing loss and vision. LG Electronics is making the viewing experience rich and rewarding for those who suffer loss of any of their senses as well as users with less technological literacy. LG's state-of-the-art TVs provide access to the next generation and are ideal for people with special needs. The company has invested heavily in R&D projects to improve the viewing experience for everyone. WebOS offers the Magic Zoom feature that makes it possible to maximize screen sections by up to 500%, making it ideal for users with visual impairments. Greater safety for all ages Demographic trends throughout the world are witnessing a significant increase in the size of the aging population. Over the next three years, it is expected that there will be a greater number of adults (65 years) and more children under the age of five. This shift is magnified by economic demands whereby the older generation retire early. As physical and cognitive abilities slowly decline with age, people over the age of 70 fail to judge the speed or distance between their car and other vehicles correctly. Older people are more vulnerable in these cases, and smart technology such as improved safety features and collision avoidance technology helps meet the daily transportation needs of older drivers. — SG