Computer Access
This page contains information resulting from the Trace Center's extensive past work on design of more accessible computers and software, including guidelines, standards, operating system accessibility features, and information resources developed by Trace staff.
Please Note: This section of our website has not been updated since 2001. A revision is underway and will be completed in 2007.
This page is organized as an outline with four major topic areas. The first major area, Computer and Software Developers, has four subtopics; the second major area, Computer Access Program at Trace, has six subtopics; and the third major area, Software Toolkits, contains the history of, an outline of, and links to each of the five operating system related toolkits. The fourth area includes a listing of Other Computer Access Resources that are also relevant to computer access research.
1. Computer and Software Developers
- Apple
- Hewlett-Packard Company
- IBM
- Microsoft
- Microsoft Accessibility Home Page
- Access Pack
- Accessibility Products for Microsoft Windows, Windows NT, and Windows 95/98
- Accessibility Features in Windows - This page lists the accessibility features included in Windows and, where applicable, links to a step-by-step guide designed to help users adjust options related to specific access features.
- Does Color Matter?
- Frequently Asked Questions about SerialKeys
- Windows 95 version B conflict with SerialKeys
- If the built-in SerialKeys doesn't work:
- The SKEYS program, from LC Technologies, Inc. was developed for users of the Eyegaze Communication System and is a replacement for the Microsoft Windows SerialKeys function that ships with Windows.
- SerialKeys, is another freeware program developed to overcome difficulties that have been experienced with the Accessibiliy Options Serial Keys funcionality in Windows 95 and 98. It will work under Windows 95, 98, 2000 and NT as well as on networked computers.
- AAC Keys is a keyboard and mouse emulation program for Microsoft Windows-based computers.
- Enhancing Tooltips
- Sun Microsystems
2. Computer Access Program at Trace
- Active Projects
- Standards Work Involving the General Input Device Emulating Interface (GIDEI), SerialKeys, and the Universal Serial Bus (USB)
- Navigation and Reading Tools - Projects including work with Scripts, the Document Object Model (DOM) and other tools to facilitate navigation of Web and other electronic documents.
- Guidelines
- Application Software Design Guidelines - a list of guidelines that include information useful for designing accessible software applications.
- Considerations in the Design of Computers to Increase Their Accessibility by Persons with Disabilities
- Papers/Presentations
- Platforms/Operating Systems
- Standards
- Inactive Projects
3. Software Toolkits (Freeware/Shareware)
4. Other Computer Access Resources
- Word Completion / Prediction - For an indepth discussion
of word completion / prediction and a list of companies which
produce word completion / prediction products, see:
- If Word Prediction Can Help, Which Program Do You Choose? - Word prediction software programs have been available for PC and Macintosh computers for several years. This document explores the benefits of word prediction and lists a number of manufacturers of word prediction software and products. (August 1995, Copyright M. Novak, & J. Klund)
- Word Prediction Collection - National Center to Improve Practice in Special Education Through Technology, Media and Materials (NCIP)
- A Comparative Overview of Word Prediction Software for Windows 95 - A more recent collection of information about word prediction software from The Center for Adaptive Technology at Southern Connecticut State University.
- Rehabilitation
Engineering Research Center on Communication Enhancement
- This RERC strives to assist users of AAC technologies in
achieving their goals by advancing and promoting AAC technologies
and supporting the individuals that use, manufacture, and recommend
them.
- The Typing Injury FAQ provides a wide variety of information about repetitive strain injuries (RSI's), resources for dealing with these ailments, and a broad description of assistive products to reduce injury risk and symptoms. While the primarily focus is on computer users at risk of injury, health professionals, researchers, educators, designers, resellers and manufacturers will find a wealth of information of interest.Many of the resources provided here also relate well to other work environments.
- Low Vision Resources:
- The Low Vision Gateway - serves as a starting point to access information on the World Wide Web related to the fields of low vision and blindness.
- Screen Magnifiers Homepage - This site includes a wide variety of information and reviews of magnification programs and speech output software and hardware.
- Low-Emission Computers - This project focuses on designing low-emission computers for use by people with severe electrical sensitivity.
- Adaptech Research Project - Canadian project that conducts research on the use of computer, information and adaptive technologies by Canadian college and university students with disabilities. The site is a resource that provides information on what close to 1000 college and university students with disabilities in Canada reported about the types and brands of computer and adaptive computer technologies that are useful to them.