A2 - Part 3 Accessibility Devices and Data Processess

Question 1

Assistive technology

Answer 1

generally defined as being any hardware or software that may help individuals with disabilities.

Question 2

Adaptive technology

Answer 2

hardware or software designed specifically for individuals with disabilities and can be added to existing devices.

Question 3

Trackball

Answer 3

This acts as analternative to a mouse. This device is made up of a ball that sits within a holder thatcan be rotated in order to move the cursor on screen.

• Specifically designed to assist users with limited hand control/motor skill difficulties/poor hand-eye coordination etc.
• The user gets full mouse functionality from a single switch and cursor speed control settings
• They work like an upside-down mouse with the cursor being controlled using the foot/elbow/thumb/fingers/palm by rolling a ball

Question 4

Braille Keyboard

Answer 4

Braille keyboards use braille characters on each key of the keyboard.

• Enables the visually impaired user to input text using Braille
• The keys are made up of dots that can be read using touch
• Can be connected to a computer using Bluetooth functionality

Question 5

Braille screen display

Answer 5

Enables text input by using a specialist input device that converts text to Braille

Question 6

Braille Printer

Answer 6

This is a printer that will enable text output by using raised dots that can be read using touch

Question 7

microphone

Answer 7

• Enables verbal input for users who find difficulty using a keyboard/mouse
• The user can adjust permission settings to use the microphone with different apps
• The user speaks into the microphone which uses specialist software to convert the speech/commands into text or other actions

Question 8

Eye Tracking

Answer 8

This is used by people:

• Who cannot use a conventional keyboard / hand or foot mouse
• Using a camera mounted on the computer which is set to focus on the user’s eye.
• The camera determines where the user is looking and monitors any movements made by the user’s eye
• When the user blinks slowly the mouse clicks

Question 9

Adapted keyboard

Answer 9

• Keyboards with large letters/keys that are designed for users with visual impairment
• They have high contrast colours and have USB setup
• Compact/mini keyboards are smaller in size and more suitable for users which one hand or wheelchair users. They can fit easily between the arms of a wheelchair

Question 10

Speakers/headphones

Answer 10

• Enable audio output which are useful for visually impaired users
• Text is input and is then output as speech
• Works in conjunction with text to speech software programs when text on screen is selected with the keyboard/mouse

Question 11

Large monitors

Answer 11

• Displays larger text without reducing the content / window(s) visible
• Screen magnifiers/zoom facility software can be installed so the user can zoom in closer on the content being displayed on the screen

Question 12

Hardware screen magnifier

Answer 12

They can magnify both video and screen content onto another surface

Question 13

Vertical mouse

Answer 13

• The user can utilise this type of mouse to avoid wrist strain.
• The mouse is aligned to a more natural handshake position which uses shoulder muscles instead

Question 14

Joysticks

Answer 14

-Users who have limited or no arm movement can control the movement of a mouse/cursor using a mouth-controlled joystick

• Can be operated using ‘Sip-N-Puff’ mouth control

Question 15

Headpointers

Answer 15

• Adapted to be used by people with limited strength and dexterity
• The head brace is worn on the user’s head and when they move their head the corresponding head pointer engages with the keyboard keys
• The head pointer is adjustable and does not interfere with the vision of the user

Question 16

Bite Switch

Answer 16

• Allows users to hold the switch in their mouth and gently bite with their front teeth
• The switch is activated by applying gentle pressure
  Can be mounted on the microphone stem of a headset

Question 17

Foot mouse / control

Answer 17

• Used by people who have limited/no use of hands or arms
• Used to navigate software programs similar to using a mouse
• There are two segments on a foot mouse to control the cursor and to click or select shortcuts The foot mouse plugs into the computer using a USB port

Question 18

Puff-Sip Switch

Answer 18

• Used by people who have limited physical mobility
• When the user sips or blows into the mouth tube a switch goes on or off
• The switch is connected to the computer so the software can react to the input and perform actions

Question 19

Manual and automatic data processing

Answer 19

There are peripheral devices which can automate the input and processing of data and avoid human
errors such as typos during data entry. Some types of data collection, input and processing are more
commonly done manually.

Question 20

Manual Process

Answer 20

• Keying client or product details
  into a database.
• Entering customers’ meal choices
  into a restaurant’s system.
• Marking exam scripts.
• Entering survey responses from
  a form.

Question 21

Automated Process

Answer 21

• Biometric readers read fingerprints, hand prints or irises
  for use in personnel identification systems.
• Barcode readers read lines of different thickness and
  convert them into a string of values. 2D readers read
  more complex QR-style codes.

Optical mark recognition (OMR) readers automatically
read a form and input the data.

• Radio-frequency identification (RFID) devices are used
  in stock taking and race timing systems.
• Smart meters accurately record electricity and gas usage
  and send readings to the energy supplier.