Web accessibility: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 23:16, 27 June 2007

Revision as of 23:34, 27 June 2007

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=== Assistive technologies =used for web browsing ==

== Technology ==

=== User agent devices ===

A wide range of techniques and technologies are available to facilitate Web access for people with disabilities, or for users in general. These can be divided into two (non-exclusive) classes: enabling technologies, which circumvent a major disability such as blindness; and assistive technologies for lesser impairments.

Disabled users use [[Assistive technology|assistive technologies]] such as the following to enable and assist web browsing:

Enabling technologies include:

* [[Screen reader]] software, which can read out, using synthesised speech, either selected elements of what is being displayed on the monitor (helpful for users with reading or learning difficulties), or which can read out everything that is happening on the PC (used by blind and vision impaired users).

* The [[Braille terminalterminals]], consisting of a [[Refreshable Braille display]] which renders text as [[Braille]] characters (usually by means of raising pegs through holes in a flat surface) and either a [[QWERTY]] or Braille keyboard.

* [[Self-voicing]] web browsers (also called speech, voice, or talking browsers) to read textual content aloud.

* [[Speech recognition]] software that can accept spoken commands to the computer, or turn dictation into grammatically correct text.

* The [[Braille terminal]], consisting of a [[Refreshable Braille display]] which renders text as [[Braille]] characters (usually by means of raising pegs through holes in a flat surface) and either a [[QWERTY]] or Braille keyboard.

=== Assistive technologies ===

{{main|Assistive technology}}

In addition to dedicated Web content [[user agents]], a wide range of [[Assistive technology|assistive technologies]] is available to help people with [[computer accessibility]]. These technologies can greatly assist access to Web content for people with disabilities. Examples include:

* [[Speech recognition]] software, which can be useful for those who have difficulty using a mouse or a keyboard.

* [[Screen magnifier|Screen magnification]] software, which enlarges what is displayed on the computer monitor, making it easier to read for vision impaired users.

* [[Speech recognition]] software that can accept spoken commands to the computer, or turn dictation into grammatically correct text - useful for those who have difficulty using a mouse or a keyboard.

* Keyboard overlays which can make typing easier and more accurate for those who have motor control difficulties.

* [[Screen reader]] software, which can read out, using synthesised speech, either selected elements of what is being displayed on the monitor (helpful for users with reading or learning difficulties), or which can read out everything that is happening on the PC (used by blind and vision impaired users).

* [[Machine translation|Translation software]] to allow reading of websites in foreign languages especially for those who had been diagnosed to have a learning disability.

=== Machine-translation technology ===

Software which can automatically translate content from one natural language to another is called [[Machine translation|machine-translation software]]. This is exemplified by Alta Vista's [[Babel Fish (website)|Babel Fish]], a Web site which can translate blocks of text or other Web pages back and forth between English and major European languages. These translations are generally imperfect. Commercial software packages which do a better job can be bought and installed locally on the user's personal computer.

However, in order for these technologies to be fully effective when users are browsing the Web, it is essential that websites are designed to be accessible. The quest for universal Web accessibility is an ongoing attempt to develop Web content so that it is accessible via all user-agent devices for all people.

== The Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) ==