Editing Computer accessibility (section)

== Accessibility features ==
Accessibility features are meant to make the use of technology less challenging for those with disabilities. Common accessibility features include [[Text to Speech|text-to-speech]], [[Closed captioning|closed-captioning]], and [[keyboard shortcut]]s. More specific technologies that need additional hardware are referred to as [[assistive technology]].<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Wu|first1=Ting-Fang|last2=Meng|first2=Ling-Fu|last3=Wang|first3=Hwa-Pey|last4=Wu|first4=Wu-Tien|last5=Li|first5=Tien-Yu|date=2002|editor-last=Miesenberger|editor-first=Klaus|editor2-last=Klaus|editor2-first=Joachim|editor3-last=Zagler|editor3-first=Wolfgang|chapter=Computer Access Assessment for Persons with Physical Disabilities: A Guide to Assistive Technology Interventions|title=Computers Helping People with Special Needs|volume=2398|series=Lecture Notes in Computer Science|language=en|publisher=Springer Berlin Heidelberg|pages=204–211|doi=10.1007/3-540-45491-8_44|isbn=978-3-540-45491-5}}</ref>

There are many disabilities or impairments that can be a barrier to effective computer use. Some of these impairments, which can be acquired from [[disease]], [[Major trauma|trauma]], or [[Congenital disorder|congenital disorders]], include:
*[[Cognitive disabilities|Cognitive impairments]] (head injury, autism, developmental disabilities) and [[learning disabilities]], (such as [[dyslexia]], [[dyscalculia]], or [[ADHD]]).
*[[Visual impairment]], such as low-vision, complete or partial [[blindness]], and [[color blindness]].
*Hearing-related disabilities (deafness), including [[deafness]], being [[hard of hearing]], and [[hyperacusis]].
*Motor or dexterity impairment such as [[paralysis]], [[cerebral palsy]], [[Developmental coordination disorder|dyspraxia]], [[carpal tunnel syndrome]], and [[repetitive strain injury]].

[[File:Accessibility - a11y.svg|thumb|a11y, numeronym of accessibility illustrated]]A topic closely linked to computer accessibility is [[web accessibility]]. Similar to computer accessibility, web accessibility is the practice of making the use of the [[World Wide Web]] easier to use for individuals with disabilities.<ref name=":3" />

Accessibility is often abbreviated as the [[numeronym]] '''''a11y''''', where the number 11 refers to the number of letters omitted.<ref name="roselli-2016">
{{cite web
 | last1 = Roselli | first1 = Adrian
 | title = A11y
 | date = 22 November 2016
 | work = Adrian Roselli
 | url = https://adrianroselli.com/2016/11/a11y-accessibility.html
 | access-date = 2022-06-10
}}  Evolving blog.
</ref>  This parallels the abbreviations of [[internationalization and localization|''internationalization'' and ''localization'']] as ''i18n'' and ''l10n'', respectively.  Moreover, ''a11y'' is also listed on the [[USPTO]] [[Supplemental Register]] under Accessibility Now, Inc.<ref name="roselli-2016"/>