What is Assistive and Adaptive Technology?
Assistive and Adaptive Technology includes, but is not limited to:
Screen Readers
Screen Readers are an assistive tool that read website and document text aloud.
- Chrome or Internet Explorer 11 supports the Jaws screen reader.
- Edge supports the Read Aloud screen reader.
- Firefox supports the NVDA screen reader.
- Safari supports the Voiceover screen reader.
- Apple Mobile (Safari) supports the Voiceover screen reader.
- Android Mobile (Chrome) supports the Talkback screen reader.
- Microsoft supports Immersive Reader, a tool that customises Word documents and allows you to listen or adjust how your text appears on the page as you edit a document. The addition of Reading Coach to the Immersive Reader has the additional advantage of allowing people to practice their pronunciation.
Text to Speech
Text to Speech is a feature where the text on a screen is read aloud from top to bottom.
- Screen Readers are generally more intuitive and offer more options than Text-to-Speech tools.
- Screen Readers may have additional features, such as Braille display, keyboard and skip navigation features.
Both Screen Readers and Text to Speech are designed to aid users:
- with visual impairments
- who are learning another language, such as English
- with learning disabilities
- that respond to and learn better through audio delivery of text
Keyboard Navigation
Keyboard Navigation is a method of navigating web pages and text documents without the use of a mouse.
- For Keyboard Navigation to work seamlessly, the web page or text document needs to have tab functionality.
- Tabs need to flow from left to right.
- There should be no keyboard traps on the web page.
Keyboard Navigation is designed to aid users with:
- visual impairments
- learning disabilities
Magnification
Magnification enlarges the text on the screen.
- This feature is designed for users with vision impairment, however, it is not recommended for those with no vision.
- This function can enlarge text to a size that is easier for users to read.
- The zoom in capabilities are dependent on the provider.
- The magnification of text can assist with language learning and content understanding.
- As a result, this tool can also aid readers with learning disabilities or are learning another language.
Magnification is designed to aid users with:
- visual impairments
- those who are learning another language, such as English
- with learning disabilities
Colours and Contrasts
- Some applications will have tools that adjust the colour contrast and brightness.
- Designed to assist users with visual impairments.
Change of Fonts
- You can download E Books and Articles into EPUB, HTML and PDF to enable font change options.
- Designed to aid users with dyslexia and who are learning another language.
Closed Captions
- Enables users to access verbal content on videos and audio recordings through visual captions.
- Designed to assist users with hearing impairments or are learning another language.
Translators
- Is an accessibility function available on most articles and some E Books.
- Not all languages are available for translation, however, a good selection is generally available.
- To access the translator option we recommend downloading documents to HTML format, not PDF.
- Designed to aid users who speak another language.
