Assistive technologies are necessary tools for students with special needs. These technologies enable them to be as independent and productive as their peers without the same needs. Challenges for children with special needs can be overcome through the use of assistive technology and accessibility features. Judge (2000) states that all individuals must be better prepared to access, manipulate, and control information and their environments through the use of technology.
I enjoyed exploring the Accessibility features on my Apple 15" MacBook Pro with Retina display. The operating system on the machine is Mac OS X.
To locate the Accessibility features, I went into System Preferences and located the Accessibility image in the System section.
"Seeing" accessibility features help those who have visual difficulties access information on the computer with more ease.
"Hearing" accessibility features assist those that are deaf or hard of hearing access information and have the ability to be alerted visually.
"Interacting" accessibility features assist those with motor difficulties.
Additional Accessibility Options:
Dictation is available for those who have vision or motor issues. A shortcut to activate this feature can be turned on and used by hitting the function key twice. Even though I do not have vision issues, I LOVE this feature and will be using it!
FaceTime can be used for individuals that are deaf or hard of hearing. Individuals may communicate with sign language or have the ability to read lips of their friend that can be seen using this program.
iMessage can be used by those that have speech or hearing difficulties. Messages can be typed out, and photos and videos may be included.
I enjoyed exploring the Accessibility features on my Apple 15" MacBook Pro with Retina display. The operating system on the machine is Mac OS X.
To locate the Accessibility features, I went into System Preferences and located the Accessibility image in the System section.
"Seeing" accessibility features help those who have visual difficulties access information on the computer with more ease.
- When looking at the Display option, you can invert colors, use grayscale, enhance contrast, and increased cursor size. Color in version makes the screen look like a negative. Using grayscale was soothing to my eyes.
- VoiceOver tells you what is on your screen, and lets you perform actions with your voice with. There is no need to see the screen. The voice I listen to was that of Alex. I selected a normal rate of speech, and I understood it even though it was a bit synthetic.
- With Zoom, the screen can be magnified by using the command and + keys. My screen was able to be magnified a great deal. Moving around is easy with the trackpad. Picture in a picture zooming is also available.
"Hearing" accessibility features assist those that are deaf or hard of hearing access information and have the ability to be alerted visually.
- When an alert occurs, there is an option to have the screen flash. It looks like a faded white flash when it occurs.
- You may change the stereo audio to mono.
- Sound preferences can also be adjusted.
"Interacting" accessibility features assist those with motor difficulties.
- When using your keyboard, you have the ability to enable sticky keys.
- The ability to enable slow keys is present. Slow keys changes how long the key is pressed before it is recognized by the computer.
- Mouse and trackpad options can be changed to enable mouse keys and to also change the double-click speed on your mouse. Scrolling speeds on both the trackpad and the mouse may also be changed in this window.
- Speakable items is another option in the interacting category. It allows you to control your computer and some applications by using your voice. You can hold down the escape key and speak your command. When I asked the computer what time it was, it was able to respond to me. When I asked it to open the iPhoto program, it was unresponsive. Even after calibration, it did not work for me.
Additional Accessibility Options:
Dictation is available for those who have vision or motor issues. A shortcut to activate this feature can be turned on and used by hitting the function key twice. Even though I do not have vision issues, I LOVE this feature and will be using it!
FaceTime can be used for individuals that are deaf or hard of hearing. Individuals may communicate with sign language or have the ability to read lips of their friend that can be seen using this program.
iMessage can be used by those that have speech or hearing difficulties. Messages can be typed out, and photos and videos may be included.
Reference:
Judge, S.L. (2000). Accessing and funding assistive technology for young children with disabilities. Early Childhood Education Journal, 28(2), 125-131.
Judge, S.L. (2000). Accessing and funding assistive technology for young children with disabilities. Early Childhood Education Journal, 28(2), 125-131.