Assistive technology
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Contents |
OVERVIEW
Assisitive technology is furniture, hardware and software which can be used to make sure that anyone who needs assistance to use either the equipment or the content itself can do so with ease. Interacting with digital content should be an inclusive experience and there is a wide, and continually increasing, range of resources available to ensure that this is the case. For example, to support those with a visual impairment or dyslexia, text-to-speech readers are available, or for people who find a conventional mouse hard to manipulate, tracker-balls can be installed instead. Ergonomically desigend equipment such as keyboards, wrist-rests and height adjustable desks and chairs can be used to create the most comfortable position for sitting at a computer terminal. Software such as predictive text can also make input devices such as keyboards easier to use and websites designed using good practice to ensure their accessibility.
Sources of advice and guidance
TechDis
JISC TechDis is a JISC service supporting the education sector through the provision of advice and guidance on disbaility and technology. In addition to expert advice and practitioner support, TechDis also works with policymakers to promote a culture of inclusion and undertakes a technology watch to identify any issues of accessibilty in emerging technologies and to advise accordingly. They provide a web accessibility self-evaluation tool along with a wide range of other materials such as How To guides, for accessibility-related tools and software to create an inclusive learning environment and a database] of assistive technology information and products which can be searchable by disability.
Related Digipedia article
Further information
Wikipedia on Assistive Technology
case studies BBC accessibility
[[role::newcomer]] [[role::project manager]] [[role::technical support]] [[goal::deciding]] [[goal::advice]] [[goal::developing]] [[goal::accessibility]] [[goal::audience]] [[level::basic]] [[level::medium]] [[level::deep]]
