2. Assistive technology Flashcards
What is “accessibility”?
Accessibility provides access and assistance to people with different needs
Accessibility is applied to the environment but also technology and services
Access to information and services is a right protected by law, and accessibility is a legal requirement
How does accessibility differ from inclusive design?
Accessibility is a characteristic of a product, service or physical environment, it can be tested and measured wheres inclusive design is the method to achieve it.
Accessibility issues are not necessarily usability issues
What are “Assistive Products”?
Assistive products (AP) maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and independence
Give 5 examples of assistive products (AP)
Hearing aids
Spectacles
Braile
Wheelchairs
Prosthetics
Pill organisers
What is “Assistive Technology (AT)”?
Assistive technology is specialised equipment or software that facilitates access to using IT (e.g. screen reader, screen magnifier)
What is “Accessible technology”?
Accessible technology has accessibility “built-in” to equipment or software.
Accessible technology can be used by lots of diverse users without extra pieces of AT
Give examples 3 of alternative mouse input devices
Keyboard only
Voice recognition
Joystick
Name 3 assistive technologies for limited visual output
Braille displays
Screen magnifiers
Screen readers
What is a screen reader?
Screen readers are assistive technology (AT) that allows people with visual impairments to use IT
How does a screen reader work?
A screen-reader uses text-to-Speech (TTS) technology to read text content out loud.
Screen-readers can identify and announce structural elements such as headings, links, buttons, forms, and images by analysing the code and structure of a webpage
How do users use screen readers?
Users set the preferred voice and the voice output speed
On unfamiliar websites, screen-reader users typically want to orientate themselves and create a mental model of the webpages.
Page title tells them what page they are on
Headings list tell them about the structure of the page
They can tab through elements such as buttons, links and forms
A skip to content link allows users to bypass navigational links
What issues can screen readers detect? (5)
Incorrect and inconsistent heading structure, e.g., more than one <h1>; missed heading levels
No skip links (always have to go through navigation menu)
Missing labels on CTAs, links and form fields (button, link)
Meaningless labels (more, click here)
Missing or meaningless alt text on images
