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Assistive Technology

Assistive technology is any item, piece of equipment, or system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is commonly used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities.

Most Web interoperability issues deal with the design of Web pages and how effectively they work with assistive technology (such as screen readers, screen magnifiers, Braille readers, alternate input devices).

Below you will find links to some of the assistive technology currently available.

For a detailed list of Screen Readers, visit:

  • Screen reader software, which can read out, using synthesised speech, either selected elements of what is being displayed on the monitor (helpful for users with reading or learning difficulties), or which can read out everything that is happening on the PC (used by blind and vision impaired users).
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_screen_readers

Screen Magnifiers

Braille Readers

  • Refreshable Braille display: An electronic tactile device which is placed under the computer keyboard. A line of cells, that move up and down to represent a line of text on the computer screen, enables the user to read the contents of the computer screen in Braille.
  • Electronic Notetaker. A portable computer with a Braille or QWERTY keyboard and synthetic speech. Some models have an integrated Braille display.
  • Braille embosser. Embosses Braille output from a computer by punching dots onto paper. It connects to a computer in the same way as a text printer.

Alternate Input Devices 

  • Alternative computer input devices come in many shapes and sizes to accommodate a variety of limitations. Available alternative input devices replace the "traditional" keyboard and mouse, translating the movements of a user into directly proportional movements of the computer mouse pointer. Alternative input devices allow the user to activate a computer in a variety of ways, such as using his/her feet, head, eye, mouth, breath, thumb, or a single finger. Some devices are activated by motion while others can be controlled with nerve or muscle signals, even brain activity and mind energy.

Keyboard overlays

  • Can make typing easier and more accurate for those who have motor control difficulties.

More assistive technologies used for web browsing:

  • Braille terminals, consisting of a Refreshable Braille display which renders text as Braille characters (usually by means of raising pegs through holes in a flat surface) and either a QWERTY or Braille keyboard.
  • Screen magnification software, which enlarges what is displayed on the computer monitor, making it easier to read for vision impaired users.
  • Speech recognition software that can accept spoken commands to the computer, or turn dictation into grammatically correct text - useful for those who have difficulty using a mouse or a keyboard.