Accessibility for People with Disabilities
Accessibility for People with Disabilities |
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The number of individuals with disabilities who use computers is growing, and with that growth comes a greater need for employers to accommodate them with assistive technologies. Recent legislation, including the Workforce Investment Law of 1998, mandates such accommodation. To the greatest extent possible, employees with disabilities must have computer access that is comparable to access by employees who do not have disabilities. To this end, several technologies that are built into Windows 2000 are available so that enterprises can configure their computers with the accessibility features they need.
Many of these features have added functionality beyond Microsoft® Windows® 98 and Microsoft® Windows NT® operating systems. New features, as well as existing ones, are described in this appendix. Some of the new and significantly enhanced features and tools in Windows 2000 are Microsoft® Active Accessibility®, Accessibility Wizard, Magnifier, Narrator, On-Screen Keyboard, Utility Manager, high-visibility mouse pointers, Synchronized Accessible Media Interchange (SAMI), and high-contrast color schemes.
With Windows 2000, users and administrators can perform the following functions:
Override defaults for multiple-user customized settings. Administrators can set a wide range of accessibility and other options for groups of users by using Control Panel, the Accessibility Wizard, and Utility Manager.
Quickly and easily navigate Windows. Special features, such as hot keys and Active Desktop™, facilitate access to objects on the desktop, Windows Explorer, other servers on the network, and Internet Explorer; give quick access to Windows; and help users open folders and create individualized settings.
Use a wider range of assistive technology. With Microsoft Active Accessibility, applications work more effectively with third-party and other add-on accessibility aids, such as speech recognition systems and other forms of assistive devices. Invisible to the user, Active Accessibility upgrades and extends the Microsoft Windows operating system.
Customize input methods. Expanded configurations of keyboards, including On-Screen Keyboard, special mouse settings, and other options, let users customize their user interface (UI) schemes.
Configure options through a single entry point. Located in the Start menu, the Accessibility Wizard makes it possible for administrators and users to set up computers with the most commonly used features and to customize those features for each user.
Magnify a portion of the screen for an enlarged display. Several abbreviated features, such as Magnifier, make it possible for users to work away from their customary assistive devices.
Maneuver within Windows. Keyboard shortcuts and personalized keyboard options assist users who are working in programs and applications.
Set sound options to suit individualized hearing needs. In addition to customizable features, such as volume adjustment and multimedia options, several accessibility features, such as ShowSounds and SoundSentry, give people with hearing impairments control of their audio environment.
Set options for users with visual requirements. Features include Narrator, a text-to-speech utility that is built into the operating system; ToggleKeys, a feature that provides audio cues when the user presses certain locking keys; and event cues that are located in the Sounds and Multimedia icon in Control Panel.
Use keyboard filters to customize keys to aid various cognitive, hearing, mobility, and visual needs. The FilterKeys feature adjusts keyboard response time and forgives accidental pressing of keys.
Assign contrast, color, timing, and sizing schemes for screen elements. Expanded ranges of screen elements, such as high-visibility mouse pointers and high-contrast color schemes, and the Accessibility Wizard give users options that suit their needs and preferences, such as greater visibility of the insertion point indicator (sometimes called the caret) and the ability to turn off animations.
Gain greater control of the personal computer by using third-party devices. The SerialKeys feature is designed for people who are unable to use standard UI options and need add-on assistance from augmentative devices. This feature allows users to attach an alternative input device to the computer's serial port.