Assistive Technology

“Section 508 requires Federal agencies to ensure that individuals with disabilities who are members of the public of Federal employees have access to and use of electronic and information technology (EIT) that is comparable to that provided to individuals without disabilities, unless an undue burden would be imposed on the agency.” (Section508.gov)

I am currently using an HP laptop, so began my research with Hewlett Packard.  According to the HP Official website, in response to new technologies, “The U.S. Access Board is now updating the Section 508 Standards”. HP recently participated in the Telecommunications and Electronic and Information Technology Advisory Council to develop recommendations to the U.S. Access Board for changes to Section 508. (hp.com) 

There are numerous accessibility features on my HP including:  optimizing visual display, changing how the mouse works, changing how the keyboard works, replacing sounds with visual cues, and replacing keyboard and mouse with speech recognition.  What this means is that the computer is customizable for those users who might be visually or hearing impaired, or have other difficulties using the technology. 

To begin, there are quite a few settings to make the screen easier to see including high contrast themes, a Magnifier, Audio Descriptions, and a Narrator. The Magnifier can be used to zoom in anywhere on the screen. It can be set to follow the mouse, follow the keyboard focus, or follow the text insertion point. It can be fine-tuned to magnify more or less depending on the needs of the user.  I found this device very easy to use!  Audio Descriptions can be set to tell the user what is being shown on a video. I didn’t have the chance to test this setting.  The Narrator, when turned on, will read aloud all text that is on the screen.  Additionally, text and icon sizes can be increased; colors can be edited; the cursor can be customized; and there is also a warning signal that can be turned on to alert the user every time a setting is turned on or off.  The computer may even be set to be used without the display for those who may be completely blind.

Mouse pointers may be customized and made larger and bold.  The numeric keyboard may be set up to be used in place of the mouse.  Or, the mouse may be customized for a left-handed person.  When my daughter had shoulder surgery and could not use her right hand in computer class. She quickly fell behind in her work.  I sent an email asking her teacher to please set up the mouse for her to use with her left hand.  One begins to understand accessibility when they find themselves in a situation where technology is only set up for right-handed people.

The keyboard may be customized to allow certain shortcuts (CTRL+ALT+DEL) to be used one key at a time. This is normally a 2-handed skill. Additionally, Filter Keys and Repeat Keys may be set up as well as Bounce Keys.  This allows for the user to accidently hit keys or hold down keys without impact.  Or, the keyboard and mouse may be entirely replaced with speech recognition.  The user can then dictate commands to the computer.

For the hearing impaired, sounds may be replaced with visual cues.  This is done by turning on Visual Notifications, which can be set to flash the desktop, window or caption bar.

Resources

"Accessibility & Aging." Overview. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www8.hp.com/us/en/hp-information/accessibility-aging/index.html>.

"Section 508 Home." Section 508 Home. Web. 22 Apr. 2015. <http://www.section508.gov/>.