Accessibility Features

What are accessibility features?

Accessibility features are special computer functions that help people with disabilities use technology more easily. For example, a text-to-speech feature may read text out loud for people with limited vision, while a speech-recognition feature allows users with limited mobility to control the computer with their voices. In this lesson, we'll introduce you to some common accessibility features and show you how to find and activate them on your computer or mobile device. We'll also discuss assistive technology that you can attach to your computer for additional accessibility.

Common accessibility features

Although some accessibility features require special software downloads, many are built into the operating system of your computer or mobile device. Here are just a few types of accessibility features you may already have on your device:

• Features for blind or low-vision computer users: Features such as text to speech allow blind users to hear what's on the screen instead of reading it. Other features, such as high-contrast themes and enlarged cursors, make it easier for users with limited vision to read the text themselves.
• Features for deaf or low-hearing computer users: Closed-captioning and replacing sounds with visual cues convey audio information to deaf users in visual form. Mono audio systems transmit right and left audio signals through both earbuds and headphones, so users with limited hearing in one ear will not miss part of what they are listening to.
• Features for limited-mobility computer users: Keyboard shortcuts are convenient for many people, but they are especially helpful to those with difficulty physically manipulating a mouse. For users who have difficulty pressing several keys at once, sticky keys allows them to press keys one at a time to activate a shortcut.

Finding accessibility features on your computer

Not all computers come with the same accessibility features. To find out which ones are available on your computer, navigate to the Accessibility or Ease of Access menu. There, you can activate or adjust the features you need.

To find accessibility features in Windows 8:

1. Hover your mouse in the lower-right corner of the screen to bring up the Charms bar. If you are using a touch-screen, you can access the Charms bar by swiping inward from the right edge of the screen. From theCharms bar, click Settings.
   
   
2. The Settings bar will appear. In the lower-right hand corner, click Change PC Settings. 
   
3. The PC Settings screen will appear. On the left side of your screen, click Ease of Access.
   
4. The Ease of Access screen will appear. Select a category from the menu on the left, then adjust or enableyour setting on the right. In our example, we've selected the Keyboard category on the left and enabled theSticky Keys feature on the right.
   
   

To find accessibility features in Windows 7 or earlier:

1. Click the Start button, then select Control Panel.
   
2. The Control Panel will appear. Click Ease of Access.
   
3. The Ease of Access screen will appear. From there, you can choose a category and follow instructions to alter your settings.
   

Most operating systems also include a few accessibility features in the Display menu, so you can check there if you can't find the feature you're looking for. The Display menu can usually be accessed through the Control Panel or Settings menu.

To find accessibility features in OS X:

1. Click the Apple icon in the top-left corner of your screen and select System Preferences.
   
2. The System Preferences menu will appear. Click the Accessibility icon near the bottom of the menu. Note:In older versions of OS X, accessibility is called Universal Access and is located in the upper-right corner.
   
   
3. The Accessibility window will appear. Click a category in the left-hand menu, then adjust your setting on the right. In our example, we've clicked Display, then adjusted the cursor size on the right.
   

Finding accessibility features on your mobile device

On mobile devices, as on computers, accessibility features can generally be found and adjusted by navigating to theAccessibility menu. Note that some accessibility features, like voice recognition, may appear in their own menus instead of in the Accessibility menu.

To find accessibility features on Android:

1. Locate and select Settings on your phone or tablet.
   
2. The Settings menu will appear. Select Accessibility.
   
3. The Accessibility menu will appear. Here, you can enable the TalkBack feature, which provides audio narration for visual cues on the screen. Depending on the type of device you're using, you may be able to adjust other accessibility features here as well.
   
   

To find accessibility features on iOS:

1. Tap the Settings icon on your Home screen, then tap General.
2. General settings will appear. Tap Accessibility.
   
3. The Accessibility screen will appear. If the setting you want to adjust has a toggle next to it, you can switch it to green to turn it on. Otherwise, tap the setting and follow the instructions on the next screen to adjust it.
   

Navigating the Web with accessibility features

In addition to your computer's built-in accessibility features, most browsers offer their own. Some of the most common ones include the ability to zoom in and out when viewing a webpage, display webpages in custom colors or fonts, and navigate webpages with the keyboard—also called caret browsing.

Zooming

Before you start adjusting your browser's settings, you may want to try zooming. Zooming is an easy way to make webpages easier to read, and it works the same way in most browsers. If you're using a browser in Windows, you can zoom in or out by pressing Ctrl+ or Ctrl- (hold down the Ctrl key and press the + or - key). If you're using a Mac, you'll press Command+ or Command-.

To return to the default zoom level, press Ctrl+0 (hold down the Ctrl key and press the zero key). If you're using a Mac, press Command+0.

To find accessibility features in Firefox:

1. Click the Firefox menu in the top-right corner of the browser, then select Options.
   
2. The Options dialog box will appear. Click Content in the top menu and follow instructions to change font size and display colors.
   
3. To navigate the Web using the keyboard, click Advanced in the top menu and select Always use the cursor keys to navigate within pages.
   

To find accessibility features in Chrome:

1. Click the Chrome menu in the top-right corner of the browser, then select Settings.
   
2. The Settings tab will appear. Click Show advanced settings.
   
3. The Settings options will expand. Scroll down to Web Content, where you can customize font size and color, zoom in on webpages, and choose to navigate links on webpages using the Tab key.
   

To find accessibility features in Internet Explorer:

1. Click the Tools menu at the top-left of the screen. If you don't see the Tools menu, click the gear icon at the top-right. Select Internet options.
   
2. The Internet Options dialog box will appear. To customize the fonts and colors used to display webpages, click the Font or Color button and follow the instructions on the screen.
   

Caret browsing, which allows users to navigate webpages with the keyboard, can be activated in Internet Explorer by pressing the F7 key.

To find accessibility features in Safari:

1. Click the Safari menu in the upper-left corner of your screen, and select Preferences.
   
2. A dialog box will appear. Click Advanced in the top-right corner.
   
3. From here, you can set a minimum font size for webpages or choose to navigate webpages using the Tabkey.
   

Adding accessibility features to your browser

In addition to their pre-installed accessibility features, some browsers also have features that can be added by installing add-ons, extensions, or apps. To learn more about how to install these, check out our lessons onCustomizing Firefox, Customizing Chrome, and Customizing Internet Explorer.

Assistive technology devices

As you've already seen, software can do a lot to make computers more accessible to disabled users. However, some accessibility features require extra hardware, or assistive technology. Most assistive-technology devices are similar to keyboards and speakers—they are peripherals that can be plugged into the main computer. Here are some common types of assistive technology you may encounter.

• Screen magnifiers: Screen magnifiers can be placed over your computer's monitor to ensure the content on the screen always appears magnified. Today, most people use the magnifier or zoom features on their operating systems to view content, but external magnifiers are still available as well.

• Alternative keyboards: For people who have difficulty using standard keyboards, there are a range ofalternative options. For example, users can purchase keyboards with larger keys that are easier to see or press. They can also buy keyboards with alternative key arrangements, including arrangements for people who can only type with one hand or with a limited number of fingers.

• Switch-adapted peripherals: Switch devices allow people with limited mobility to control technology with very small motions, such as a puff of breath or a head movement. Switch-adapted mice and keyboardsmake it possible for disabled users to interact with computers even if they are unable to operate peripherals with their hands.

More accessibility resources

For more information on accessibility in specific software—or to find out more about assistive-technology options—check out the links below.

Accessibility features in specific software

• Accessibility Features in Firefox: This is Mozilla's official help site for Firefox's accessibility features.
• Apple Accessibility: This is Apple's overview site for accessibility features on Macs, iPods, iPhones, and iPads. From here, you can navigate to help documents for specific features.
• AppleVis: This community-based website offers tips, tutorials, and product reviews for blind and low-vision users of Apple products.
• Google Accessibility: This is Google's help site for accessibility features on Android phones and tablets and in Chrome.
• Microsoft Accessibility: Here, you'll find news on Microsoft's accessibility projects, as well as help pages on accessibility features in the Windows operating system and in the Microsoft Office suite.
• TutsPlus: OS X Accessibility 101: This tutorial offers in-depth explanations of accessibility features in the OS X operating system.

Assistive technology devices

• Ablenet: Computer Access: Here, you can purchase a wide range of assistive-technology devices. You'll also find information on what types of devices are useful for specific disabilities.
• Compusult: Computer Access for Physical Disabilities: Compusult offers assistive and other kinds of technology to individuals and businesses. It also provides training courses on assistive technology.
• Inclusive Technology: Here, you'll find assistive-technology products, as well as educational software designed for K-12 students with disabilities.

Other resources

• Alliance for Access to Computing Careers: This website offers information on accommodations and accessible design that can be useful for teachers and students in technology fields.
• Coalition of Organizations for Accessible Technology: This site is a good news source on political and economic events that are related to accessible technology. It also has an excellent database of organizations that serve the disabled community.
• My Web My Way: This site was created by the BBC. Here, you can find detailed guides on how to change a variety of settings to make your computer more accessible and easier to use.
• National Center for Learning Disabilities: Here, you'll find useful information on learning disabilities, assistive technology, and appropriate accommodations for work and school.
• Tech-Ease for All: This site has resources for teachers and parents who want to use technology and computers with disabled students.

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Milan Tomic

Hi. I’m Designer of Blog Magic. I’m CEO/Founder of ThemeXpose. I’m Creative Art Director, Web Designer, UI/UX Designer, Interaction Designer, Industrial Designer, Web Developer, Business Enthusiast, StartUp Enthusiast, Speaker, Writer and Photographer. Inspired to make things looks better.

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