by Tara Wood
Chances are that, if youre a personal computer user who also
has a disability, you werent able to use an ordinary computer
straight out of the box.
You may have had to make modifications to your computer. Those
could be as minor as changing a setting on the operating system,
or as complex as adding on sophisticated hardware or software.
Know this: Youre among a growing population that has caught
the eye of major computer companies.
Microsoft, maker of Windows operating systems, and Apple, which
manufactures Macintosh computers, have long incorporated special
features for accessibility into their operating systems. These
include (depending on the brand and version) features to compensate
for difficulties users may have with vision, mobility, hearing
and dexterity.
For example, you can choose to move the cursor by using the numeric
keypad or a designated cluster of keys on the keyboard instead
of a mouse. You can also enlarge the image and text, or dramatically
change the contrast on your screen to make it easier to read.
These built-in features might not compensate for severe limitations,
such as those of a person who needs a head mouse to operate a
computer. (For more on hardware and other assistive technology
that allows for computer accessibility, see "Access
Unlimited," May-June.)
But the operating features can be helpful in school settings,
computer labs, or public computer situations, allowing any user
to make quick adjustments for access.
A Population With Potential
Manufacturers are taking steps to enhance the operating features
built into personal computers, as well as to identify people who
might benefit from this kind of assistive technology.
In 2003, Microsoft commissioned a study by Forrester Research
that measured the market for assistive technology users; you can
read it online at www.microsoft.com/enable/research.
It found that in the United States, 60 percent of working-age
adults who range from 18 to 64 years old 101.4 million people
are "likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible
technology due to difficulties and impairments that may impact
computer use."
The study also concluded that "further innovation should
be done to make technology even more accessible," and that
addressing the needs of those who can benefit from assistive technology
"requires an industry-wide effort."
Some Innovation Today
This spring, Apple previewed its new VoiceOver Spoken Interface,
which provides a new way, through speech, audible cues and keyboard
navigation, to access the Macintosh.
"We believe this is an actual extension of the interface
of the computer in general. It isnt just some add-on piece that
reads the screen back to you," says Chris Bourdon, Apples
Senior Product Line Manager for Mac OS X.
Besides helping people who are blind or have limited vision,
the VoiceOver can also help those with certain learning disabilities,
Bourdon said.
"Along with using the computer and seeing whats going on,
they can hear it spoken back to them. It helps in the learning
process. There is a large group of people that can benefit from
it," Bourdon said.
VoiceOver was scheduled for delivery with the next major release
of the Mac OS X, to be called Tiger. At press time, Apple wouldn't
specify a date for the Tiger release, but a sneak preview can
be viewed at www.apple.com.
The VoiceOver wont cost extra since it will be bundled with
the operating system and fills an industry void of Macintosh-compatible
screen readers (software that reads aloud everything on the computer
screen).
The innovation has so far been well received by computer users
with disabilities who have previewed the system. Its also part
of a bigger goal of the company, Bourdon said.
"Our approach is we want to make the Macintosh as accessible
for everyone despite any limitations they might have," he
said. "[Apple is] always keeping in mind all of our users
when were developing interfaces for applications, and that theres
more than one way to use the computer."
Built-In Accessibility Features: Check
Them Out!
ON A COMPUTER WITH WINDOWS
From Windows XP version; other Windows versions may be slightly
different.
From Desktop, double-click "My Computer."
Click "Control Panel" from list of "Other Places."
Double click "Accessibility Options."
Explore specific features, which are grouped by Keyboard, Sound,
Display, Mouse and General.
ON A MACINTOSH WITH OS X
From Panther or 10.3.3 version. Other versions may be slightly
different.
From the Apple drop-down menu, select "System Preferences."
Under "System," click "Universal Access."
Explore specific features grouped under Seeing, Hearing, Keyboard
and Mouse.
BASIC VOICE-RECOGNITION FUNCTIONS
From the Apple drop-down menu, select "System Preferences."
Under System, click "Speech."
Click "Speech Recognition" button.
"Speakable Items" are listed there: commands you speak
into your computers built-in microphone, or with an auxiliary
microphone you add on.
Select the "On" button for Apple Speakable Items,
and hold down the "Escape" key while speaking.
What Does It Mean?
A Glossary of Some Computer Accessibility
Terms
Keyboard shortcuts: These are key combinations that can
activate certain functions.
Mouse keys: You can use the numeric keypad in place of
the mouse if you have trouble moving a mouse.
Filter keys (also called repeat or slow keys): These set
how a repeated key is accepted by the computer. A user can set
a delay time for holding a key down before it repeats. This is
useful for someone who has difficulty with typing accuracy or
speed.
Sticky keys: This feature eliminates the need to press
and hold more than one key at a time, as in the "Control
S" shortcut for saving a document. Its useful with keyboard
shortcuts.
Toggle keys: This Windows function lets you hear tones
when pressing "Caps Lock," "Num Lock" and
"Scroll Lock" keys.
Voice/speech recognition: You can use spoken commands
to control your computer; its sometimes accomplished with a software
program and auxiliary microphone.
Zoom: Apples built-in screen magnifier makes the screen
easier to see.
Online Resources
America Online
www.aol.com/accessibility
Apple
www.apple.com/accessibility
IBM
www.ibm.com/able
Microsoft
www.microsoft.com/enable
National Center for Accessible Media
ncam.wgbh.org
SUN Microsystems Accessibility Program
www.sun.com/access
