Staying connected to family, caregivers, and community is closely tied to emotional well-being and quality of life. Yet for many people with disabilities and older adults, the technology intended to support connection often creates new barriers instead.
Common communication tools rely on smartphones, apps, and touchscreens. They often assume that users have strong vision and motor skills and feel comfortable navigating smart devices. For people with cognitive disabilities, low vision, limited dexterity, speech differences, or low confidence with technology, these assumptions can make connection difficult or inaccessible.
This gap between technology and people’s actually needs is what helped ONSCREEN to stand out as the winner of the CTA Foundation Health Innovation Challenge at CES last year. The company was recognized for its work designing communication tools that reduce barriers and help people with disabilities and older adults stay connected in practical, usable ways.
Rather than asking users to adapt to new technology, ONSCREEN focuses on adapting technology to users.
What ONSCREEN is and the Problem it Solves
ONSCREEN is a technology company focused on helping people with disabilities and older adults in navigating common communication challenges.
Its JoyLiving platform is designed to reduce barriers by making communication easier and more intuitive.
The goal is to help people stay in touch with loved ones without having to rely on complex technology.
“At the core, we are solving two problems,” says Costin Tuculescu, CEO of ONSCREEN. “Isolation and loneliness on one hand, and access friction on the other. Many people cannot or will not use smartphones, touchscreens, or complex interfaces consistently.”
The Product: What JoyLiving Does
The name reflects the company’s focus on supporting everyday connection, independence, and quality of life, not just access to technology.
JoyLiving includes several communication tools rather than a single product. Each is built around a familiar device, making it easier for people to connect based on their individual needs, abilities, and comfort with technology.
Who it is designed for:
People with cognitive disabilities or memory-related challenges
Individuals with low vision
People with limited fine motor control
People who experience fatigue or sensory overload
Older adults with low confidence using technology
Caregivers supporting loved ones from a distance
JoyLiving includes:
JoyCalls: a phone-based service that works with any landline or mobile phone
JoyTablet: a simplified tablet-based service with fewer steps and larger visual elements
JoyTV: a television-based communication tool that uses a TV and remote
Each option is designed to reduce the learning curve and support long-term use.
Key Features Across JoyLiving
Auto-answering video calls - Allows trusted family members or caregivers to connect even if a user cannot reliably press buttons or navigate menus.
Auto-joining Zoom gatherings - Enables participation in family calls, group events, or classes without having to manage Zoom or other software.
Remote reminders and prompts - Caregivers can set reminders for medications, appointments, meals, or routines that appear clearly on tablet or TV screens.
Joy, a voice-based AI companion - Provides friendly conversation, gentle check-ins, and routine reminders using a patient, natural speaking style.
Joy is designed to make interactions feel supportive rather than rushed.
Disability Community Impact and Real-World Use
For people with disabilities, barriers in communication technology can affect independence, social participation, and emotional connection. Tasks that may seem simple, such as answering a call or joining a group event, can become overwhelming when technology requires precise touch, quick responses, or multiple steps.
JoyLiving is designed to remove those barriers by simplifying how connection happens.
Examples of how JoyLiving reduces barriers
JoyCalls
Supports people who rely on voice-only communication. There is no app to download and no screen to navigate. Users simply receive a phone call. This can be especially helpful for people with low vision, cognitive disabilities, or limited internet access.JoyTV
Uses the television, often the most familiar screen in the home, to support video calls, group events, and reminders. This reduces reliance on small screens and fine motor precision.Remote setup and support
Family members or caregivers can manage settings and reminders remotely, reducing frustration for the user.
Caregivers frequently report benefits such as:
Increased peace of mind
More consistent phone calls with family
Fewer technical issues to manage
Greater confidence that support tools will continue working over time
“Our goal is to make support consistent and easy to deliver,” Costin explains. “When communication works without friction, caregivers feel more confident, and people receiving care can stay connected without feeling dependent or overwhelmed.”
Designing With Accessibility in Mind
ONSCREEN’s product development is shaped by feedback from users, caregivers, and provider partners. Rather than focusing on novelty, the company prioritizes design choices that support real-world use.
Joy currently supports multiple languages, including:
English
Spanish
Chinese
Vietnamese
Romanian
This helps support bilingual households and culturally diverse communities.
The platform is also designed to recognize a wide range of accents and speech patterns, with ongoing efforts to improve accessibility for users with atypical speech or other communication differences.
“Technology should feel human,” says Costin. “If it adds complexity or anxiety, it is not serving the people it is meant to help.”
Looking Ahead and Where to Learn More
Recognition from the CTA Foundation and CES points to a growing focus on accessibility within health and disability technology. In a space where isolation and access barriers remain common, JoyLiving shows how communication tools can be developed with real-world use in mind.
By prioritizing familiar devices, reducing cognitive load, and supporting accessible interaction, ONSCREEN aims to promote connection, independence, and dignity for people with disabilities and older adults.
Want to support more work like this? Explore Abilty Central’s homepage and consider a donation.
Additional Information
The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for legal, medical, or other professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date resources, some information may become outdated or incomplete. Always consult with your provider about personal medical concerns.
