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Adaptive technology

Adaptive (or assistive) technology enables disabled people to access computer systems that would be inaccessible by conventional means.

For example: Screen enlargers help people with low vision. Also called screen magnifiers or large print programmes, they act like a magnifying glass.

On-screen keyboards are used by people who are unable to use a standard keyboard. It lets the user select keys using methods such as a pointing device, switch or Morse code input system.

Voice recognition systems, such as ScanSoft's Dragon Naturally Speaking,assist people with mobility impairments allowing them to use their voice instead of using a mouse or keyboard.

Alternative input devices enable individuals to control their computers through means other than a standard keyboard or pointing device.

Examples include smaller or larger keyboards, eye and head operated pointing devices and sip-and-suck systems controlled by breathing.

Screen readers are used for non-visual access to Window applications and the Web. A screen reader allows users who are blind to hear what is happening on their computer by converting the screen display to digitised speech.

Window-Eyes and JAWS are examples of screen readers.

Refreshable Braille Displays are electronic devices that are used to read text on a computer screen. Refreshable Braille displays only read one line of text at a time made up of 20 to 80 cells.

Each cell contains eight small pins, allowing eight-dot computer Braille to dynamically represent what is on the computer screen