Disability Groups

What Is It Like to Access the Web With a Disability?

Blindness

Blind users of the Web typically use software called screen readers to read the contents of a Web page out loud. JAWS, from Freedom Scientific, is the screen reader available to students here at SCC. JAWS allows individuals to navigate the computer operating system, in addition to reading text-based information on the Internet. Accessible Web content is especially important for JAWS users.

Low Vision

Low vision users will also use JAWS if the computer monitor strains their eyes. Screen magnification software, such as ZoomText from Ai Squared, is commonly used to enlarge and enhance everything on the screen, making applications easy to see and use. Magnification levels range from 1x to 16x the normal screen resolution.

Mobility Impairments

Mobility Impaired users typically rely on the keyboard or other specialized hardware/software (instead of the mouse) to navigate Web pages. The Tab and Enter keys are often used instead of the mouse. Voice recognition software, such as Dragon Naturally Speaking from Scansoft, may also be used to navigate the Web completely hands-free.

Hearing Impairments

Hearing Impaired users generally will not use assistive technologies, but instead have a need for all auditory content to be converted into an accessible format. For example, video clips should be captioned and sound clips should have written transcripts.

Cognitive Impairments

Cognitively Impaired users who have dyslexia or other literacy difficulties may or may not use assistive technologies. Well-designed and user-friendly Web sites are especially important to these users. Kurzweil 3000, from Kurzweil Educational Systems, is a program that allows users to simultaneously view and listen to Web content read aloud to them.

Others

Other groups requiring accessible content include people with seizure disorders and color blindness.

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