Making Educational Software and Web Sites Accessible
Design Guidelines Including Math and Science Solutions WGBH NCAM ACCESS TO PIVOT PROJECT NEXT ... CONTENTS Tools for Access: Types of Assistive Technologies Assistive technology (AT) is an umbrella term used to describe any product or technology-based service that helps disabled people to live, learn, work and enjoy life. In the context of on-line education, assistive technology refers to hardware and software technologies that enable people with disabilities to use a computer more effectively. The following is a brief overview of the main categories of these assistive technologies. Screen Readers Screen readers are software products designed for blind users, but they are also useful to users with learning disabilities. Screen readers locate information seen on the computer screen and vocalize it using text-to-speech software and, occasionally, hardware. Most screen readers work in close concert with the operating system, relying on the computer's built-in capabilities. Applications and software that conform to the standards of the operating system are more likely to be accessible. Applications and software that ignore the requirements of screen readers and the operating systems that support them may well prove unusable for some disabled people. Refreshable Braille Displays A refreshable braille display is a tactile device that raises or lowers dot patterns on command from an electronic device, usually a computer. The result is a line of braille that can change from moment to moment. Current refreshable braille displays range in size from one cell (six or eight dots) to an 80-cell line, most having between 12 and 20 cells per line. Braille displays are the primary means of access to computers for users who are deaf-blind. | |
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