Software Accessibility
Software API exist to allow assistive technology products (like screen readers, Text-to-speech, etc.) to work with software. The current or past APIs are:
- Microsoft Active Accessibility (MSAA) on Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft UI Automation on Microsoft Windows, replacing MSAA
- IAccessible2 on Microsoft Windows, a competitor of Microsoft UI Automation also replacing MSAA
- AT-SPI on UNIX and Linux
- Mac OS X Accessibility
- Java Accessibility and the Java Access Bridge for Java software.
Accessibility software can also make input devices easier to use at the user level:
- Keyboard shortcuts and MouseKeys allow the user to substitute keyboarding for mouse actions. Macro recorders can greatly extend the range and sophistication of keyboard shortcuts.
- Sticky keys allows characters or commands to be typed without having to hold down a modifier key (Shift, Ctrl, Alt) while pressing a second key. Similarly, ClickLock is a Microsoft Windows feature that remembers a mouse button is down so that items can be highlighted or dragged without holding the mouse button down throughout.
- Customization of mouse or mouse alternatives' responsiveness to movement, double-clicking, and so forth.
- ToggleKeys is a feature of Microsoft Windows 95 onwards. A high sound is heard when the CAPS LOCK, SCROLL LOCK, or NUM LOCK key is switched on and a low sound is heard when any of those keys are switched off.
- Customization of pointer appearance, such as size, color and shape.
- Predictive text
- Spell checkers and grammar checkers
Other approaches that may be particularly relevant to users with a learning disability include:
- Cause and effect software
- Switch accessible software
- Hand-eye co-ordination skills software
- Diagnostic assessment software
- Mind mapping software
- Study skills software
- Symbol-based software
- Text-to-speech
- Touch typing software
Read more about this topic: Computer Accessibility