Adaptive technology

It is important for website developers to familiarise themselves with the range of available assistive technologies.

Here is a summary of commonly used adaptive technologies

1. Screen Readers. This software is used by learners who are blind and allows Web page text to be read out by a voice synthesizer. Tab or Shift-Tab allows navigation through the hyperlinks on a given page.
2. Screen Magnifiers. Screen magnification systems enlarge portions of the screen to allow learners with limited vision to access computer-based materials.
3. Alternative Keyboards. These keyboards offer larger or smaller target areas for users with loss of gross or fine motor control. They may be switched to mouse emulation mode so that the arrow keys or numeric keypad of the same keyboard are used for mouse movements.
4. On-screen Keyboards. This software allows the user to enter text and select buttons that emulate menu functions on the monitor. Users have a pointing device or a switch to select buttons.
5. Voice Recognition. The user speaks into a microphone to navigate software applications, surf the Web, and input text. Commands correlating to macro sequences may be created to customize usage for specific software or frequent tasks. Mouse control may incorporate a grid system.

For a comprehensive list of alternative browsing technologies, see W3C 'Alternative web browsing': http://www.w3.org/WAI/References/Browsing

WebAIM has created a simulation of how a screen reader interprets a web page: http://www.webaim.org/tutorials/simulations/screenreader. It is even more useful, if possible, to discuss with users the assistive technology being used in your institution and to try it out for yourself.

'How People with Disabilities Use the Web', is a useful W3C document, describing a range of disabilities, and how a combination of accessible design with adaptive technology is able to assist them: http://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/Drafts/PWD-Use-Web/Overview.html

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