EDTECH 541: Accessibility Features on My Computer

Overview

Many of us use technology on a daily basis, unaware of the variety of assistive technologies that are available for users that struggle with disabilities that can hinder their access or use of the technology we may take for granted. Assistive technologies can be a beneficial tool for individuals with cognitive or physical impairments. As defined by Raskind (2012) assistive technology is any device, piece of equipment or system that helps bypass, work around or compensate for an individual's specific learning deficits. These types of technology can improve the access and use of technology to help individuals overcome their specific learning disabilities. Technology in general and technology in conjunction with specific assistive technologies have given students greater opportunities for educational equity that may not have existed previously.    I was unaware of the many accessibility features that my own operating system included before researching the topic for this discussion. The operating system that I currently use is Microsoft Windows 8. Windows 8 provides a variety of different accessibility features that can be considered assistive technology.

Accessibility Features

Microsoft Accessibility (2014) provides a great overview of their specific assistive technology features.

Feature Description Ease of Access Center Provides a centralized location where you can adjust accessibility settings and programs. You can also get recommendations for settings to make your PC easier to see, hear, and use. Magnifier Magnifies the screen or a portion of the screen to make text, images, and objects easier to see. On-Screen Keyboard 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 and enter data with a mouse or other pointing device. Narrator Reads aloud on-screen text and describes some events that occur, or error messages that appear, while you're using the computer. Speech Recognition Enables you to interact with your computer using only your voice while maintaining, or even increasing, your productivity. Change text size Lets you make text and objects larger and easier to see without losing graphics quality. Touch If you've got a touch-screen monitor, you can just touch your computer screen for a more direct and natural way to work. Use your fingers to scroll, resize windows, play media, and pan and zoom. Keyboard shortcuts Keyboard combinations of two or more keys that, when pressed, can be used to perform a task that would typically require a mouse or other pointing device. Keyboard shortcuts can make it easier to interact with your computer, saving you time and effort. Sticky Keys Instead of having to press three keys at once (such as when you must press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys simultaneously to log on to Windows), you can press one key at a time when Sticky Keys is turned on Mousekeys Instead of using the mouse, you can use the arrow keys on the numeric keypad to move the pointer. Visual Notifications Replace system sounds with visual cues, such as a flash on the screen, so system alerts are announced with visual notifications instead of sounds. Each one of these features can be valuable in supporting different learning disabilities and providing greater access to educational content while using a computer.

Cognitive Disabilities

The website te@thought (2012) in an article titled The Role of Assistive Technology In Supporting Disabled Learners defines “Students with cognitive disabilities can be all over the map in terms of intelligence, but may suffer from difficulties with memory, self-expression, information processing, and other learning disabilities that prevent them from performing their academic tasks in the same manner as other students.”

The narrator feature can help students with cognitive disabilities when they struggle with reading by reading on screen text. The speech recognition feature can help students in in their writing by using their voice to be more productive that writing with the keyboard. The touch screen feature allows for student to interact with the computer content in a more intuitive and friendly manner that can help student that may be more adapted to kinesthetic learning. .

Physical Disabilities

The website te@thought (2012) in an article titled The Role of Assistive Technology In Supporting Disabled Learners defines  “Students with physical disabilities may require the use of braces, a cane or a wheelchair, may use prosthetic limbs, or may be dealing with muscular dystrophy, Lou Gehrig’s disease, multiple sclerosis, or many other conditions, all of which can present accessibility challenges.”

Some of the same features that can be beneficial for cognitive disabilities will also allow access for those with physical disabilities. The speech recognition will allow those with physical disabilities to interact with the computer using their voice if they are physically unable to to use a mouse or keyboard. The touch screen feature may also allow for easier access to the controls and applications available on the computer. The sticky keys  could be useful if using multiple keys is a challenge. The on screen keyboard may provide allow for keyboard use by only using the mouse.

Sensory Disabilities

The website te@thought (2012) in an article titled The Role of Assistive Technology In Supporting Disabled Learners defines “Sensory disabilities include visual impairment and blindness, deafness and hard-of-hearing conditions can prevent students from utilizing traditional classroom materials and tools.”

There are also many features that can improve the sensory output of the operating system. The Ease of Access center can do a number of things for sensory disabilities. It can change the contrast and color schemes of the operating system to make it easier for people with visual disabilities to see. You can change the size of the windows text and cursor. There is a magnifier feature that enlargers part of or the entire screen for better viewing.

These features along with many more were interesting to explore and use for the first time. It is nice to know about these features and possibly utilize them in my classroom for students that may have these types of learning disabilities.

References

Microsoft Accessibility. (2014). Accessibility in Windows 8. Retrieved April 25, 2014 from, http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/windows8/

Raskind, M (2012). Assistive technology for kids with LD: An overview. Great Schools. Retrieved April 25, 2014 from, http://www.greatschools.org/special-education/assistive-technology/702-assistive-technology-for-kids-with-learning-disabilities-an-overview.gs?page=all

Roblyer, M. D.,Doering A.H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching

(6th Edition).Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

 

te@chthought. (2012, December 18). The Role of Assistive Technology In Supporting Disabled Learners. te@chthought. Retrieved April 25, 2014 from, http://www.teachthought.com/technology/the-role-of-assitive-technology-in-supporting-disabled-learners/