Accessibility and Technology Today

By: Rylan Campbell

Adaptive technologies are any item, object, machine, or computer program that allows people with disabilities compose tasks with independence. The technology assists them with daily routines and objectives like editing videos to riding a bicycle and moving from one place to another. Without this, it would be most definitely difficult for people to complete these tasks. Disabilities should not stop people from being visionary and doing things people without disabilities can do.

iOS Voiceover

iOS Voiceover is a great program added to Apple’s iPhones. It allows users to hear exactly what is happening on their screen. For example, if you were wondering what percentage your phone battery was at, you would triple click the home screen button and listen to the description of what is currently happening on your phone.

Voiceover can also detect gestures, like motion on the touch screen. With that, it shows what is there with just a touch. Not only that, Voiceover can also read aloud what you’re typing, pronounce preferred phrases and words, and braille keyboards!

This can help those who have difficulties with their vision. This is also very affordable because every iPhone has this programmed in each newest iOS update. Which is a bonus because iOS is free!

Android Assistant Menu

The Android Assistant Menu is usually for simplicity in using your android device. This can be very helpful for those who struggle with performing tasks on phones, and tablets. It allows the user to set their preferred settings on their phone without much difficulty. The menu has all significant functions to make the phone do things, such as going on to the menu, screenshotting, or even going back onto the lock screen.

The assistant menu is a good attachment on the android devices because it can allow those to function their phone or tablet who may have dexterity challenges or even just helping your granddad who isn’t good with today’s technology to turn the brightness up or turn down the volume. Thankfully, this is already programmed into the Android, and can be easily set up in the settings.

Windows High Contrast Colour Scheme

The high contrast colour scheme on Windows intensifies contrast colours. On the Ease of Access menu, it allows quick and simple settings to perform preferred functions such as a Magnifier, Narrator, On-Screen keyboard especially High Contrast in particular.

Using this, it can help those who may experience challenges with colour blindness or vision problems. It can also help see and identify things more clearly. The great thing about this is that it can be enabled on Windows 10, 8, or 7. To get there, you must purchase or download Windows 10, 8, 7 which usually costs ranges around $100 with free upgrades!!

Movie/TV Descriptions

Audio description an additional narrative voice that describes what exactly taking place on the screen. It explains thoroughly through the presentation, which is very beneficial and helpful for those who have blindness challenges.

People who have a blindness disability can still enjoy listening to tv programs and movies and can still be up to tune with what is going on, on their TV, or computer. The translation is free and there is many already existing television programs that have this.

Adaptive Mouse

An adaptive mouse is just like any normal mouse used for a computer. The only difference is the design and the simplicity to it. It allows the user to easily navigate through webpages, and perform quick and easy tasks like you would do with any other attachment mouse.

The adaptive mouse helps those who struggle with dexterity. For example cerebral palsy can make people have a lot of difficulty moving in ways to operate a computer or device. Adaptive mouses assist them to move up and down webpages or refresh a page or to close a window. Adaptive mouses cost just as much as regular mouses and they range around $18 to $80, although it differs with the complexity.

TTY Phones

TTY Phones are commonly used for the deaf and who struggle with telecommunications such as phone calling. TTY stands for teletype, and have that along with phones, people who struggle with deafness and loss of hearing can text their conversations to send across a message.

They can also use abbreviations that stand for more than just letters. For example, BRB stands for Be Right Back. Phones with little keyboards attached to them can be very beneficial for everyone. Modern cellphones even have them on their screen to use. The cost for these cost just as much as any other cellphone which is pretty expensive. The cost can range from $100 to $900.