Accessible work on the computer
A barrier-free use of the computer is made possible that devices, applications and content so used (especially websites) are designed so that they can be used by people with disabilities and older people in the same way as people without disabilities.
Input devices
Depending on the type of restriction, the use of additional supporting technologies is required to achieve accessibility . These can be, for example, eye control and oral mouse for physical disabilities, or screen readers and Braille display for blind people. Further examples are technologies from the area of assisted communication , which in some cases make communication possible in the first place.
software
Accessibility must also be taken into account when designing the operating system and application programs. So that people with disabilities can use the computer, the graphical user interface must meet special standards. In particular, restrictions on visual, hearing and motor skills must be taken into account.
eyesight
In order to enable people with limited vision to work on the computer, operating systems provide the function of a screen magnifier. The font size used on the work surface and the programs should also be centrally adaptable, since people with impaired vision usually correct them upwards. Other functions include the ability to have the screen content read out to you and to enlarge the mouse pointer.
Hearing ability
People with impaired hearing can be supported by purely text-based communication, in particular via e-mails and chat programs.
Motor skills
Despite motor restrictions, a computer can be used through functions such as adapted keyboard and mouse inputs as well as voice control. Overview of the different names of the functions in different operating systems:
| Function: | Explanation: | Designation in the various operating systems or desktop environments : | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windows | Mac OS X | KDE desktop | Gnome desktop | Linux Mint | ||
| Attack delay (English "Slow Keys") | The touch delay changes the responsiveness of the keyboard to prevent unwanted keystrokes from being processed. A delay is therefore inserted between pressing a button and triggering the event. The keys must be pressed longer for the system to accept them. This can be changed in the system. | Attack delay | Key delay | Slow keys | Key delay | Key delay |
| Lock function (English "Sticky Keys") | The snap function combines different keystrokes to make it easier to enter keyboard combinations (e.g. Ctrl + C for copying). The individual keys can be pressed one after the other instead of simultaneously. | Locking function | One-finger operation | Sticky buttons | Sticky buttons | Locking function |
| Keystroke function (English "Bounce Keys") | The keystroke function locks any key that has already been pressed for a short time after it has been used. | Keystroke function | Snapping keys | Bouncing buttons | Keystroke function | |
Society and Organizations
Various organizations have been dealing more and more with this topic for several years, for example the foundations communicate barrier-free! and digital opportunities as well as the BIK project - barrier-free information and communication .
The topic is also becoming increasingly relevant in politics, as the Barrier-Free Information Technology Ordinance 2.0 of 2011 makes clear. Above all, however, the UN Disability Rights Convention should be mentioned, which Austria and Germany (but not Switzerland) ratified.
In order to comply with the convention, the German federal government passed a National Action Plan (NAP) in 2011, which aims to actively promote the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Instructions for changing the delay / keystroke function on Samsung.com (Windows7) ( Memento from October 11, 2013 in the web archive archive.today )
- ↑ Instructions for changing the delay / keystroke function on Samsung.com (Windows7) ( Memento from October 11, 2013 in the web archive archive.today )
- ↑ Communication of the Foundation without barriers!
- ↑ Digital Opportunities Foundation
- ↑ BIK project series - barrier-free information and communication
- ↑ Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs: Focus on the national action plan
Web links
- BITV-Test - The BITV-Test is a test procedure for the accessibility of web offers.
- BIK für Alle - educational project on barrier-free internet, funded by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs