Creating an API Ecosystem for Assistive Technologies Oriented to Cognitive Disabilities

Abstract

This paper presents the development and implementation of an API (Application Programming Interface) ecosystem designed to support the creation of assistive technologies for individuals with cognitive disabilities. Leveraging the principles of microservices and an API-centered approach, this ecosystem enhances collaboration among developers, reduces the cost of creating accessible tools, and provides highly adaptable and customizable applications. The study details architectural decisions, including the use of GraphQL for flexibility, and demonstrates the benefits of a service-based architecture for digital inclusion. Case studies illustrate the practical applications, showing how this approach facilitates the development and promotes more accessible digital solutions. The findings suggest that this ecosystem can significantly reduce the time and resources needed to develop assistive technologies, potentially accelerating their adoption in domains such as education, healthcare, and daily living aids. The modular and flexible nature of the API ecosystem supports the rapid development of personalized assistive tools, fosters collaborative development, and ensures cross-platform compatibility. These features contribute to creating robust solutions that address diverse user needs across various devices. The ongoing evolution of the API ecosystem, including the integration of advanced management frameworks, promises further innovation and collaboration in assistive technologies. Future work will focus on implementing a comprehensive API management infrastructure to enhance scalability, security, and monitoring capabilities, including the integration and validation of the ecosystem with third-party applications, and so demonstrating its versatility and scalability in real-world scenarios.

Keywords

• Accessibility
• API ecosystem
• assistive technologies
• cognitive disabilities
• digital inclusion
• GraphQL