Editing Accessibility (section)

==Disability, information technology (IT) and telecommunications==
{{Update section|inaccurate=yes|date=November 2012}}
{{Main|Design for All (in ICT)}}
{{see also|Data access|Assistive technology}}

Advances in information technology and telecommunications have represented a leap forward for accessibility. Access to the technology is restricted to those who can afford it, but it has become more widespread in Western countries in recent years. For those who use it, it provides the ability to access information and services by minimizing the barriers of distance and cost as well as the accessibility and usability of the interface. In many countries this has led to initiatives, laws and/or regulations that aim toward providing universal access to the internet and to phone systems at reasonable cost to citizens.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.w3.org/WAI/users/browsing.html |title=Better Web Browsing: Tips for Customizing Your Computer|publisher=World Wide Web Consortium}}</ref>

A major advantage of advanced technology is its flexibility. Some technologies can be used at home, in the workplace, and in school, expanding the ability of the user to participate in various spheres of daily life. [[Augmentative and alternative communication]] technology is one such area of IT progress. It includes inventions such as [[speech-generating device]]s, [[teletypewriter]] devices, adaptive pointing devices to replace computer mouse devices, and many others. Mobile telecommunications devices and computer applications are also equipped with accessibility features.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Accessibility|url=https://www.apple.com/accessibility/|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Apple|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Android accessibility overview – Android Accessibility Help|url=https://support.google.com/accessibility/android/answer/6006564|access-date=2020-08-31|website=support.google.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Accessibility Technology & Tools|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility|access-date=2020-08-31|website=Accessibility|language=en-us}}</ref> They can be adapted to create accessibility to a range of tasks, and may be suitable for different kinds of disability.

The following impairments are some of the disabilities that affect communications and technology access, as well as many other life activities:
* [[Communication disorder]]s;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://health.nih.gov/topic/SpeechCommunicationDisorders|title=Speech and Communication Disorders|publisher=National Institutes of Health}}</ref>
* [[Hearing impairment]]s;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hearingdisordersanddeafness.html|title=Hearing Disorders and Deafness|publisher=National Library of Medicine}}</ref>
* [[Visual impairment]]s;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/visionimpairmentandblindness.html|title=Visual Impairment and Blindness|publisher=National Library of Medicine}}</ref>
* [[Mobility impairment]]s;
* A [[learning disability]] or impairment in mental functioning.

Each kind of disability requires a different kind of accommodation, and this may require analysis by a medical specialist, an educational specialist or a job analysis when the impairment requires accommodation.
* [[Job analysis]]<ref>{{cite journal|pmc=2538128|title=Pre-employment and periodical health examinations, job analysis and placement of workers| pmid=13276805|volume=13|issue=4|year=1955|journal=Bulletin of the World Health Organization|pages=495–503|last1=Forssman|first1=S}}</ref>

===Examples of common assistive technologies===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Impairment
! Assistive technology
|-
| Communication impairment
| [[Blissymbols]] board or similar device; [[Speech synthesis|electronic speech synthesizer]]
|-
| Hearing impairment
| [[hearing aid]]s, [[earphone]]s, [[headphone]]s, [[headset (audio)|headsets]]; [[Closed captioning|real-time closed captioning]]; [[teletypewriter]]; sign language [[avatar (computing)|avatars]]
|-
| Mobility impairment
| Page-turning device; adaptive keyboards and computer mice (pointing devices such as trackballs, vertical mouse, foot mouse, or programmable pedal)
|-
| Physical or mental impairment, learning disability
| [[Voice recognition software]], [[refreshable braille display]], [[screen reader]]
|-
| Perceptual disability, learning disability
| [[Audiobook|Talking textbook]]s, [[virtual keyboard]]
|-
| Visual impairment, learning disability
| Modified monitor interface, magnification devices; [[reading service]], [[e-text]]
|-
| Visual impairment, learning disability
| [[Braille note-taker]]; [[Braille printer]]; [[screen magnifier]]s; [[optical scanner]]
|-
| Visual impairment
| [[Screen reader]]s; notable examples include [[NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA)]], [[VoiceOver]], and [[Check Meister Screen Reader]]. Check Meister also offers a screen reader for Mac OS and Windows, available here: [Check Meister Browser](https://www.checkmeister.com/browser).
|}

====Mobility impairments====
One of the first areas where information technology improved the quality of life for disabled individuals is the voice operated wheelchair. Quadriplegics have the most profound disability, and the voice operated wheelchair technology was first developed in 1977 to provide increased mobility. The original version replaced the joystick system with a module that recognized 8 commands. Many other technology accommodation improvements have evolved from this initial development.<ref>{{cite journal|pmid=849131|title=Voice Operated Wheelchair| volume=58|issue=4|date=April 1977|journal=Arch Phys Med Rehabil|pages=169–75|last1=Clark|first1=J. A.|last2=Roemer|first2=R. B.}}</ref>

Missing arms or fingers may make the use of a keyboard and mouse difficult or impossible. Technological improvements such as [[speech recognition]] devices and software can improve access.

====Communication (including speech) impairments====
A communication disorder interferes with the ability to produce clearly understandable speech. There can be many different causes, such as nerve degeneration, muscle degeneration, stroke, and vocal cord injury. The modern method to deal with speaking disabilities has been to provide a text interface for a speech synthesizer for complete vocal disability. This can be a great improvement for people that have been limited to the use of a throat vibrator to produce speech since the 1960s.

====Hearing impairment====
An individual satisfies the definition of hearing disabled when hearing loss is about 30&nbsp;dB for a single frequency, but this is not always perceptible as a disability.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hear-it.org/Defining-hearing-loss|title=Definition of hearing loss – Mild, Moderate, Severe & Profound - hear-it.org|access-date=2018-07-02}}</ref> For example, loss of sensitivity in one ear interferes with [[sound localization]] (directional hearing), which can interfere with communication in a crowd. This is often recognized when certain words are confused during normal conversation. This can interfere with voice-only interfaces, like automated customer service telephone systems, because it is sometimes difficult to increase the volume and repeat the message.

Mild to moderate hearing loss may be accommodated with a hearing aid that amplifies ambient sounds. Portable devices with speed recognition that can produce text can reduce problems associated with understanding conversation. This kind of hearing loss is relatively common, and this often grows worse with age.

The modern method to deal with profound hearing disability is the Internet using email or word processing applications. The [[telecommunications device for the deaf]] (TDD) became available in the form of the [[Teleprinter|teletype]] (TTY) during the 1960s. These devices consist of a keyboard, display and modem that connects two or more of these devices using a dedicated wire or plain old telephone service.

Modern [[computer animation]] allows for [[sign language]] avatars to be integrated into public areas. This technology could potentially make train station announcements, news broadcasts, etc. accessible when a human interpreter is not available.<ref>{{cite conference |chapter-url=https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/2049536.2049557 |chapter=Assessing the deaf user perspective on sign language avatars |last1=Kipp |first1=Michael |last2=Nguyen |first2=Quan |last3=Heloir |first3=Alexis |last4=Matthes |first4=Silke |title=The proceedings of the 13th international ACM SIGACCESS conference on Computers and accessibility – ASSETS '11 |date=October 2011 |publisher=[[Association for Computing Machinery]] |book-title=Proceedings of the 13th International ACM SIGACCESS Conference on Computers and Accessibility (ASSETS-11) |pages=107–114 |location=Dundee, Scotland |doi=10.1145/2049536.2049557 |isbn=9781450309202 |conference=13th ACM Sigaccess Conference on Computers and Accessibility}}</ref><ref>{{cite report |author1=World Federation of the Deaf|author1-link=World Federation of the Deaf |author2=World Association of Sign Language Interpreters|author2-link=World Association of Sign Language Interpreters |date=14 March 2018 |title=WFD and WASLI Statement on Use of Signing Avatars |url=https://wfdeaf.org/news/resources/wfd-wasli-statement-use-signing-avatars/ |page=2 |access-date=22 September 2020}}</ref> Sign language can also be incorporated into film; for example, all movies shown in Brazilian movie theaters must have a [[Brazilian Sign Language]] video track available to play alongside the film via a [[second screen]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 Sep 2017 |title=Deluxe Launches First Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS) Localization Service Outside Brazil |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/deluxe-launches-first-brazilian-sign-language-libras-localization-service-outside-brazil-300521137.html |access-date=14 Nov 2023 |website=Cision PR Newswire |publisher=Deluxe Entertainment Services Group Inc. through Cision PR Newswire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Accessibility & The Audio Track File |url=https://cinepedia.com/accessibility/accessibility-the-audio-track-file/ |access-date=14 November 2023 |website=Cinepedia}}</ref>

====Visual impairments====
A wide array of technology products is available to assist with visual impairment. These include screen magnification for monitors, screen-reading software for computers and mobile devices, mouse-over speech synthesis for browsing, braille displays, braille printers, braille cameras, and voice-activated phones and tablets.

One emerging product that will make ordinary computer displays available for the blind is the refreshable tactile display, which is very different from a conventional braille display. This provides a raised surface corresponding to the bright and dim spots on a conventional display. An example is the Touch Sight Camera for the Blind.

[[Speech Synthesis Markup Language]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.w3.org/TR/2004/REC-speech-synthesis-20040907/|title=Speech Synthesis Markup Language (SSML) Version 1.0|website=w3.org}}</ref> and [[Speech Recognition Grammar Specification]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.w3.org/TR/speech-grammar/|title=Speech Recognition Grammar Specification Version 1.0|website=w3.org}}</ref>) are relatively recent technologies intended to standardize communication interfaces using Augmented [[Backus–Naur form|BNF]] Form and [[XML]] Form. These technologies assist visual impairments and physical impairment by providing interactive access to web content without the need to visually observe the content. While these technologies provides access for visually impaired individuals, the primary benefactor has been automated systems that replace live human customer service representatives that handle telephone calls.

===Web accessibility===
{{Main|Web accessibility}}

====International standards and guidelines====
There have been a few major movements to coordinate a set of guidelines for accessibility for the [[World Wide Web|web]]. The first and most well known is The [[Web Accessibility Initiative]] (WAI), which is part of the World Wide Web Consortium ([[W3C]]). This organization developed the [[Web Content Accessibility Guidelines]] (WCAG) 1.0 and 2.0 which explain how to make Web content accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. Web "content" generally refers to the information in a Web page or Web application, including text, images, forms, and sounds. (More specific definitions are available in the WCAG documents.)<ref>{{cite web|title=WAI Resources on Introducing Web Accessibility |url=http://www.w3.org/WAI/gettingstarted/Overview.html |publisher=[[W3C]] |work=[[Web Accessibility Initiative]] |access-date=18 June 2014}}</ref>

The WCAG is separated into three levels of compliance, A, AA and AAA. Each level requires a stricter set of conformance guidelines, such as different versions of [[HTML]] (Transitional vs Strict) and other techniques that need to be incorporated into coding before accomplishing validation. Online tools allow users to submit their website and automatically run it through the WCAG guidelines and produce a report, stating whether or not they conform to each level of compliance. [[Adobe Dreamweaver]] also offers plugins which allow web developers to test these guidelines on their work from within the program.

The [[ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 36#WG 7 Culture.2C Language.2C and Human Functioning Activities|ISO/IEC JTC1 SC36 WG7]] 24751 Individualized Adaptability and Accessibility in e-learning, education and training series is freely available and made of 3 parts: Individualized Adaptability and Accessibility in e-learning, education and training, Standards inventory and Guidance on user needs mapping.

Another source of web accessibility guidance comes from the [[US government]]. In response to [[Rehabilitation Act of 1973#Section 508|Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act]], the Access Board developed standards to which U.S. federal agencies must comply in order to make their sites accessible. The U.S. General Services Administration has developed a website where one can take online training courses for free to learn about these rules.<ref>Section 508: [http://www.section508.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=Content&ID=5 508 Training].</ref>

====Web accessibility features====
Examples of accessibility features include:
* [[Web Accessibility Initiative|WAI]]-AA compliance with the [[Web Content Accessibility Guidelines|WAI's WCAG]]
* [[Semantic HTML|Semantic]] Web markup
* (X)HTML Validation from the W3C for the page's content
* CSS Validation from the W3C for the page's layout
* Compliance with all guidelines from Section 508 of the US Rehabilitation Act
* A high contrast version of the site for individuals with low vision, and a low contrast (yellow or blue) version of the site for individuals with dyslexia
* Alternative media for any multimedia used on the site (video, flash, audio, etc.)
* Simple and consistent navigation
* Device independent
* Reducing Cognitive load for decision making

While WCAG provides much technical information for use by web designers, coders and editors, ''BS 8878:2010 Web accessibility – Code of Practice''<ref>[http://www.hassellinclusion.com/bs8878/ BS 8878:2010 Web accessibility – Code of Practice].</ref> has been introduced, initially in the UK, to help site owners and product managers to understand the importance of accessibility. It includes advice on the business case behind accessibility, and how organisations might usefully update their policies and production processes to embed accessibility in their business-as-usual. On 28 May 2019, BS 8878 was superseded by ''ISO 30071-1'',<ref>[https://www.hassellinclusion.com/iso-30071-1/ ISO 30071-1].</ref> the international Standard that built on BS 8878 and expanded it for international use.

Another useful idea is for websites to include a web accessibility statement on the site. Initially introduced in PAS 78,<ref>[http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/footer/accessibility-statement/general-web-accessibility-guidance/ PAS 78] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703160227/http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/footer/accessibility-statement/general-web-accessibility-guidance/ |date=2015-07-03 }}.</ref> the best practice for web accessibility statements has been updated in BS 8878<ref>[http://www.hassellinclusion.com/bs8878/ BS 8878].</ref> to emphasise the inclusion of: information on how disabled and elderly people could get a better experience of using the website by using assistive technologies or accessibility settings of browsers and operating systems (linking to "BBC My Web My Way"<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility/ BBC My Web My Way], [[BBC]], UK.</ref> can be useful here); information on what accessibility features the site's creators have included, and if there are any user needs which the site does not currently support (for example, descriptive video to allow blind people to access the information in videos more easily); and contact details for disabled people to be able to use to let the site creators know if they have any problems in using the site. While validations against WCAG, and other accessibility badges can also be included, they should be put lower down the statement, as most disabled people still do not understand these technical terms.<ref>[http://www.hassellinclusion.com/accessibility/ Example of an accessibility statement written by the lead-author of BS 8878].</ref>