Concepts

When technology is accessible, people can access it regardless of disability.

People interact with technology in a wide variety of ways. Some people may rely on the keyboard to navigate software. Some may use assistive technologies — software or hardware devices that enable different modes of interaction, including:

• Screen readers
• Magnifiers
• Voice recognition software
• Refreshable braille displays

People who are colorblind may not be able to perceive information that is presented with certain color combinations. For some people, flashing content can be distracting or cause seizures. People may also use adaptive strategies and techniques to interact with technology. Examples include:

• Increasing the text size
• Reducing the mouse speed
• Turning on captions

Accessible technology benefits everyone, but it can be critical for people with disabilities. Whether you are purchasing software, building a webpage or authoring an electronic document, keep accessibility in mind — starting with the standards.