Assistive Technologies

What Are Assistive Technologies?

Assistive technologies are software or devices that allow those with disabilities to access the Web. Examples include:

Screen Readers

A combination of software and hardware that reads the text on a web page aloud for the visually-impared.

Voice Browsers

Systems that allow one to navigate a site by voice commands, not the "point-and-click" of a mouse.

Screen Magnifiers

Allows parts of the screen to be magnified for those with poor vision.

Why Are They Important?

Think about public buildings. It is law that buildings have ramps, doors wide enough for wheelchairs, and other amenities that allow individuals with disabilities access to them.

Web accessibility is the same — allowing those with special needs to use your site. Like a building, there are rules and codes one must follow to build an accessible web site. And like buildings, it takes understanding and experience to both meet these requirements and put together a functional, exciting website.