There are several types of disabilities
that impact computer use:
Cognitive disabilities, such as dyslexia, ADHD or autism.
Complete or partial blindness, including color blindness.
Hearing impairment.
Motor or dexterity disability such as paralysis or cerebral palsy
Impairments due to ageing.
Designing with accessibility in mind can
often enhance usability for all users and for automated access to information, such as by search engines. A key to accessibility
is to let people access content in their preferred way.
Some people may not be able to use a conventional
input device, such as the mouse or the keyboard. Therefore it is important for software functions to be accessible using both
or either device; ideally, software uses a generic Application Programming Interface (API) that permits the use even of highly
specialized devices unheard of at the time of software development. Keyboard shortcuts and mouse gestures are ways to achieve
this. More specialized solutions like on-screen keyboards and alternate input devices like joysticks and trackballs, eye gaze
switches and voice recognition are also available.
Our goal is to make the use of a computer
as easy as possible to those individuals who are limited in their ability to use conventional input devices.
With the use of a little technology, anybody
who wants to use a computer now has the ability. To begin making your computer accessible you need to examine several areas:
1. Which physical input devices can the individual
use?
Keyboard
Mouse
Joystick
Trackball
Electronic Keyboard
Pointer stick
2. What software is available to assist the
user?
Mouse gesture
Voice recognition
3. Which Browser is the best to use?
Opera
Internet Explorer
Netscape
Meet Katie
Katie is a 15-year-old young lady with cerebral palsy and multiple impairments.
Since she was a small child, Katie’s disabilities have severely limited her functional abilities, particularly her mobility
and speech. Because of Katie’s many needs, she has relied heavily on different types of assistive technology throughout
his life. Her father, Harry, says that without AT she would not be able to live at home, attend school, go out in the community,
or be employed.
Technology for Communication
Katie was assessed for a communication device when she was in kindergarten because
her speech was difficult to understand. Since then, she has used many different communication tools, and she currently uses
a computerized communication device that helps her talk with others in different situations.
Technology for Mobility
Since Katie was 4 years old she has used a wheelchair to get around at home and
at school. In second grade she began to use a power wheelchair that she controlled with a joystick. The power wheelchair gave
her greater freedom and now she uses it to travel throughout the community independently.
Technology for Education
Katie also has limited use of her arms, so she cannot write very well. Because
of these limitations, she has used books on tape and talking computer books to help her learn to read and write. She has also
used the computer to type her writing assignments for school.
Technology for Work
As a professional actor, Katie has become somewhat of a celebrity using an augmentative
communication device in television commercials, radio interviews and personal appearances. She has been so successful that
she is a member of the screen actors’ guild.
Technology for Social and Leisure Activities
For social interaction, Katie has been able to use e-mail and the Internet to
stay connected with friends and family and to keep up with current events. She also uses the computer for recreational activities,
such as listening to CDs, watching DVD movies or gaming. Katie’s father feels that the computer has been “the
most important piece of assistive technology” in her life because it provides a vital connection with the rest of the
world and a common connection between young people.
Not every child will need as much assistive technology as Katie uses, but AT
can help many children with different needs realize their potential. Assistive technology can include adapted toys, handheld
dictionaries, computers, powered mobility, augmentative communication devices, special switches, and thousands of commercially
available or adapted tools to assist an individual with daily living activities.
