Word prediction programs allow the user to select a desired word from an on-screen list located in the prediction window. This list, generated by the computer, predicts words from the first one or two letters typed by the user. The word can then be selected from the list and inserted into the text by typing a number, clicking the mouse, or scanning with a switch. These programs help users increase written productivity and accuracy, and increase vocabulary skills through word prompting.
Reading comprehension programs focus on establishing or improving reading skills through ready-made activities, stories, exercises, or games. These programs can help users practice letter sound recognition and can increase the understanding of words by adding graphics, sound, and possibly animation.
Reading tools and learning disabilities programs include software designed to make text-based materials more accessible for people who struggle with reading. Options can include scanning, reformatting, navigating, or speaking text out loud. These programs help people who have difficulty seeing or manipulating conventional print materials; people who are developing new literacy skills or who are learning English as a foreign language; and people who comprehend better when they hear and see text highlighted simultaneously.
Speech synthesizers, as mentioned previously, are helpful not only for people with visual and language impairments, but also for those with learning impairments. Speech synthesizers (also known as text-to-speech) speak information aloud in a computerized voice. Individuals who have lost the ability to communicate orally can use speech synthesizers to communicate by typing information and letting the speech synthesizer speak it aloud.
Speech recognition programs, as mentioned earlier, are helpful for people with a variety of impairments. Individuals can enter data, write text, and navigate applications with the use of their voice. Students who have difficulty typing or reading text because of a language or learning impairment can often successfully work with computer documents using a speech recognition program along with the powerful features of modern word processing programs, such as Microsoft Word. Windows Vista comes with Windows Speech Recognition.
Profile of Clair, a student with a learning impairment
Clair is fourth-grader with a learning impairment that affects her reading and writing skills, especially her organization and reference skills. She began using a computer at age seven to help her learn to read and write. The computer is now an essential tool that helps her capture her thoughts “in the moment” and organize them at a later time. In school and at home, Clair uses a PC equipped with Windows XP and Microsoft Office XP. She frequently uses the built-in spelling and grammar checkers in Microsoft Word 2002 as well as the graphical toolbars and icons in all of the Office programs. She also finds icons more useful than menus.
Chapter 3: Selecting Accessible Technology
W hen selecting technology for your school or classroom, it is important to consider accessibility features and assistive technology products that will be helpful to individuals with specific disabilities. It is also important to plan for the onset of temporary disabilities that will inevitably occur.
In this chapter we provide details about accessibility settings in Microsoft products and a guide to selecting assistive technology products.
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More Info
Demos and
tutorials for
accessibility
features can
be found at:
www.microsoft.com/enable/
ccessibility Settings in Microsoft Products
Below is a summary of accessibility features found in current Microsoft products such as Windows Vista, Windows XP, Internet Explorer 6 and 7, Office 2003 and Office 2007. A full list of products, plus how-to instructions is available at www.microsoft.com/enable/.
Accessibility in Windows Vista
Windows Vista includes built-in accessibility settings and programs that make it easier for computer users to see, hear, and use their computers. The accessibility settings and programs in Windows Vista are particularly helpful to people with visual difficulties, hearing loss, pain in their hands or arms, or reasoning and cognitive issues. Find more information at www.microsoft.com/enable/products/windowsvista/.
The Ease of Access Center in Windows Vista provides a centralized location where you can get quick access to adjust accessibility settings and manage assistive technology programs. The Ease of Access Center includes quick access to common tools, a questionnaire where you can get recommendations for accessibility options to try, and seven categories of settings to explore.
Figure 3-1. Windows Vista Ease of Access Center
Overview of Accessibility Features in Windows Vista
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Feature
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Description
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Ease of Access Center
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A centralized location where you can adjust accessibility settings and manage accessibility programs. Get quick access to start common accessibility tools, get recommended settings based on answers to questions, or explore settings by category.
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Speech Recognition
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Enables you to interact with your computer using only your voice, significantly reducing the use of a mouse and keyboard while maintaining overall productivity. Dictate documents and e-mail, browse the Web, and command programs by saying what you see. Interactive training guides your through an easy setup process and will familiarize you with the voice commands.
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Magnifier
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Magnifier enlarges portion of the screen to make things easier to see. Choose a magnification level from 2 to 16 times the original and choose to track the mouse, the keyboard, or text editing.
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Narrator
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A text-to-speech program that reads aloud on-screen text and describes some events (such as error messages) that happen while you're using the computer. Narrator in Windows Vista reads Narrator menus without leaving the active window and has a natural sounding voice.
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On-screen keyboard
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A visual, on-screen keyboard with all the standard keys that you can use instead of a physical keyboard. On-Screen Keyboard also lets you type using an alternative input device.
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Keyboard shortcuts
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Use keyboard shortcuts as an alternative to the mouse. Keyboard shortcuts can be found in the menus of programs, or a letter underlined on a menu means pressing the ALT key in combination with the underlined key has the same effect as clicking that menu item.
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Mouse Keys
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Instead of using the mouse, you can use the arrow keys on the numeric keypad to move the pointer.
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Sticky Keys
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Instead of having to press multiple keys at once (such as when you must press the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys simultaneously), you can press one key at a time when Sticky Keys is turned on.
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Filter Keys
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Ignores keystrokes that occur in rapid succession and keystrokes that are held down for several seconds unintentionally.
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Visual notifications
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Replace system sounds with visual cues, such as a flash on the screen, so system alerts are announced with visual notifications instead of sounds.
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Captions
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Turn on text captions for animations and video.
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Accessibility in Windows XP
Make computers easier and more comfortable to use with accessibility features and utilities built right into Microsoft Windows XP (Professional and Home versions). Find more information at www.microsoft.com/enable/products/windowsxp/.
Overview of Accessibility Features in Windows XP
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Features
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Description
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Accessibility Wizard
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The Accessibility Wizard in Windows XP and can help new users quickly and easily set up groups of accessibility options that address visual, hearing and dexterity needs all in one place. The Accessibility Wizard asks questions about accessibility needs. Then, based on the answers, it configures utilities and settings for individual users. The Accessibility Wizard can be run again at any time to make changes, or changes can be made to individual settings through Control Panel.
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Utility Manager
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Enables administrator-level users to check an accessibility program's status and start or stop an accessibility program—automatically, if required.
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Magnifier
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Magnifies a portion of the computer screen so it is more readable.
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Narrator
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Text-to-speech program that reads what is displayed on the screen—the contents of the active window, menu options, or text that has been typed.
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On-screen keyboard
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Displays a virtual keyboard on the computer screen that allows people to type data by using a pointing device or joystick.
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Display and readability
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A wide array of display and readability options increase visibility of items on the computer screen. Options include changing font style, color, and size of items on the desktop; icon size; screen resolution; high contrast schemes; and mouse pointer and cursor visibility options.
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Sounds and speech options
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Make computer sounds easier to hear or distinguish—or, choose visual alternatives to sound. A variety of speech-to-text options are also available. Options include adjusting sound volume and schemes, captions (ShowSounds), visual cues for system sounds (SoundSentry), and Text-to-Speech options.
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Mouse options
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Choose a number of options to make your keyboard easier to use. Options include changing the click speed, actions of the mouse buttons, pointer speed, cursor blink rate, and mouse pointer schemes.
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Keyboard options
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Choose a number of options to make your keyboard easier to use. Options include adjusting the character repeat rate, choosing an alternative (Dvorak) keyboard layout, Sticky Keys, Filter Keys, Toggle Keys, Mouse Keys, and more.
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Accessibility in Internet Explorer 7
The Internet is easier to see and explore with accessibility settings and features in Internet Explorer 7. Internet Explorer 7 has better compatibility with assistive technology products and new accessibility features including the Zoom option. Enhanced keyboard access can be found in the default toolbar buttons, search box items, address bar, and tabs. And, extensive keyboard access is available for new features added to Internet Explorer 7. Find more information at www.microsoft.com/enable/products/ie7/.
Overview of Accessibility Features in Internet Explorer 7
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Feature
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Description
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Zoom in on a Web page
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Zoom in on a Web page to magnify text, images, and controls on the page. Change the zoom level with the magnifying glass icon on the bottom right corner of each Internet Explorer 7 window, or, from the Page menu. Choose 100%, 125%, or 150%, or, specify magnification up to 1000%.
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Choose colors used on Web pages
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Make Web pages easier to see by changing the text, background, link and hover colors. Internet Explorer 7 supports the system link color, so high contrast mode and color preferences you have chosen in your Windows operating system will work properly.
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Change text size on Web pages
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Change Web page text size from smaller, smallest, medium, larger, or largest.
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Choose fonts used on Web pages
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Choose the font style and size used on Web pages and documents to make them more legible.
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Choose accessibility settings for Web pages
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Choose to ignore colors, font styles, and font sizes specified on Web pages to make the pages easier to see. You can also choose to format documents using your own style sheet.
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Format Web pages using a custom style sheet
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Make Web pages easier to see and work with by adjusting several accessibility settings, browsing, multimedia, and printing settings in Internet Options.
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Choose advanced settings
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Many advanced accessibility settings are available, including expanding alternative text, resetting text size and zoom levels, using smooth scrolling, showing pictures, playing animations, videos, and sounds, and print options from Web pages.
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Accessibility in Internet Explorer 6
Make computers easier and more comfortable to use with accessibility features and utilities built right into Internet Explorer 6. Find more information at www.microsoft.com/enable/products/ie6/.
Overview of Accessibility Features in Internet Explorer 6
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Feature
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Description
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Choose colors used on Web pages
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Make Web pages easier to see by changing the text, background, link and hover colors.
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Change text size on Web pages
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Change Web page text size from smaller, smallest, medium, larger, or largest.
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Choose fonts used on Web pages
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Choose the font style and size used on Web pages and documents to make them more legible.
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Choose accessibility settings for Web pages
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Choose to ignore colors, font styles, and font sizes specified on Web pages to make the pages easier to see. You can also choose to format documents using your own style sheet.
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Keyboard and mouse options
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Choose a number of options to make your keyboard and mouse faster and easier to use. Options including changing toolbar buttons displayed and the button size, filling in Web addresses and forms automatically.
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Sound options
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In addition to the Windows XP sound and speech options, in Internet Explorer 6 you can also turn on or off sounds played in Web pages.
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Accessibility in 2007 Microsoft Office
The 2007 Microsoft Office system is more accessible than ever before, making it easier for everyone to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations with rich content. Finding commands you need is easier with the completely redesigned user interface. The 2007 Microsoft Office system also has improved compatibility with assistive technology products. Find more information at www.microsoft.com/enable/products/office2007/.
Overview of Accessibility Features in Office 2007
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Feature
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Description
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The Ribbon
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The menus and toolbars in some programs have been replaced with the Ribbon. The Ribbon is designed to help you quickly find the commands that you need to complete a task and provides consistent icons among Office programs.
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Key Tips and keyboard navigation
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Use the Key Tips feature to navigate quickly and easily through the Ribbon without memorizing shortcut keys. The Ribbon also supports 2-D navigation with the TAB, arrow and F6 keys; or you can use familiar shortcut keys and accelerators from previous versions of Microsoft Office.
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Zoom
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The Zoom tool makes resizing your work area faster and easier.
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Produce professional looking results quickly and easily
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Galleries simplify the process of creating great looking documents, presentations and spreadsheets by showing a set of potential design choices. It's not necessary to make selections through complex dialog boxes to get professional results.
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Live preview
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Live Preview lets you see exactly how your gallery selection will look when it is applied.
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Create diagrams and charts without a mouse
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Organizational charts, process diagrams and other complex graphics can be created with SmartArt™ graphics tools, which are completely accessible from the keyboard or assistive technology devices.
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Compose documents by talking to your computer
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The 2007 Microsoft Office system works with Windows Speech Recognition in the Windows Vista operating system, allowing you to navigate the User Interface, compose documents, open email and more without using a mouse or keyboard.
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Create accessible portals with SharePoint Designer 2007
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SharePoint Designer 2007 includes a built-in compatibility checker for common accessibility standards to help make sure Web sites are easy to use for everyone. More Accessible Mode in SharePoint Services provides greater accessibility for custom controls.
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Scroll, Zoom, Listen and Automate
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Zoom and scroll directly with a Microsoft IntelliMouse® or other device with similar technology, and let Microsoft Narrator read aloud text and commands.
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Correct mistakes as you type
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Correct capitalization and spelling as you type, as well as formatting punctuation marks, symbols and lists.
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