Editing Computer accessibility (section)

== Types of software accessibility ==

=== Accessibility application programming interfaces ===
Software [[API]]s (application programming interfaces) exist to allow assistive technology products such as [[screen reader]]s and [[Screen magnifier|screen magnifiers]] to work with mainstream software. The current or past APIs include:
* Java Accessibility and the [[Java Access Bridge]] for [[Java (programming language)|Java]] software<ref>Oracle: [http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/technotes/guides/access/index.html Java Accessibility]</ref><ref>Oracle: [http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/index-jsp-136191.html Java SE Desktop Accessibility] (page containing a link to the Java Access Bridge).</ref> (being standardized as ISO/IEC TR 13066-6<ref>ISO: [http://www.iso.org/iso/home/store/catalogue_ics/catalogue_detail_ics.htm?ics1=35&ics2=180&ics3=&csnumber=54004 ISO/IEC PRF TR 13066-6: Information technology -- Interoperability with Assistive Technology (AT) -- Part 6: Java accessibility application programming interface (API)].</ref>);
* [[Assistive Technology Service Provider Interface]] (AT-SPI) on [[UNIX]] and [[Linux]] (being standardized as ISO/IEC PDTR 13066-4<ref>ISO: [http://www.iso.org/iso/home/store/catalogue_ics/catalogue_detail_ics.htm?ics1=35&ics2=180&ics3=&csnumber=54001 ISO/IEC PDTR 13066-4: Information Technology - Interoperability with Assistive Technology (AT) -- Part 4: Linux/UNIX graphical environments accessibility API].</ref>);
* [[Microsoft Active Accessibility]] (MSAA) on [[Microsoft Windows]];
* [[IAccessible2]] on [[Microsoft Windows]], a competitor of Microsoft UI Automation also replacing MSAA by [[Free Standards Group]] (standardized as ISO/IEC 13066-3:2012<ref>ISO: [http://www.iso.org/iso/home/store/catalogue_tc/catalogue_detail.htm?csnumber=53998 ISO/IEC TR 13066-3:2012: Information technology -- Interoperability with assistive technology (AT) -- Part 3: IAccessible2 accessibility application programming interface (API)].</ref>);
* [[Mac OS X]] Accessibility;
* [[Microsoft UI Automation]] on Microsoft Windows, replacing MSAA.

Some of these APIs are being standardized in the [[ISO/IEC JTC 1|ISO/IEC]] 13066 series of standards.<ref>Richard Hodgkinson: [http://www.snapi.org.uk/info/standards/report_7.htm 7th Report on International ICT Accessibility Standards Proposed, Being Developed and Recently Published] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617172710/http://www.snapi.org.uk/info/standards/report_7.htm |date=2013-06-17 }}. 3 October 2008.</ref><ref>Richard Hodgkinson: [http://www.tiresias.org/research/standards/report_10.htm 10th Report on International ICT Accessibility Standards Proposed, Being Developed and Recently Published] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130318050500/http://www.tiresias.org/research/standards/report_10.htm |date=2013-03-18 }}. 26 June 2009.</ref>

=== Accessibility features in mainstream software ===
Accessibility software can also make input devices easier to access at the user level. These include:
* [[Keyboard shortcuts]] and [[MouseKeys]] allow the user to substitute keyboarding for mouse actions. [[Macro recorder]]s can greatly extend the range and sophistication of keyboard shortcuts.
* [[Sticky keys]] allows characters or commands to be typed without having to hold down a [[modifier key]] (Shift, Ctrl, or Alt) while pressing a second key. Similarly, ClickLock<ref>Microsoft: [http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-xp/help/using-clicklock Using ClickLock]</ref> is a [[Microsoft Windows]] feature that remembers a mouse button is down so that items can be highlighted or dragged without holding the mouse button down while scrolling.
* Customization of mouse or mouse alternatives' responsiveness to movement, double-clicking, and so forth.
* [[ToggleKeys]]<ref>Microsoft: [https://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/access_togglekeys_turnon.mspx To turn on ToggleKeys]. Windows XP Professional Product Documentation.</ref> is a feature of Microsoft [[Windows 95]] onwards. A high sound is heard when the [[caps lock]], [[scroll lock]], or [[number lock]] key is switched on. A low sound is heard when any of those keys is switched off.
* Customization of [[pointer (user interface)|pointer]] appearance, such as size, color, and shape.
* [[Predictive text]]
* [[Spell checker]]s and [[grammar checker]]s

=== Support for learning disabilities ===
Other approaches may be particularly relevant to users with a learning disability. These include: 
* Cause and effect software<ref>{{cite web
| last=Bates
| first=Roger
| author2=Jones, Melanie
| title=Using Computer Software To Develop Switch Skills
| work=2003 [Technology and Persons with Disabilities] Conference Proceedings
| url=http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/2003/proceedings/6.htm
| year=2003
| access-date=2007-02-08
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203193139/http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/2003/proceedings/6.htm
| archive-date=2007-02-03
| url-status=dead
}}</ref>
* Switch-accessible software (navigable with a switch)
* [[Hand–eye coordination]] skills software
* Diagnostic assessment software
* [[Mind map]]ping software
* [[Study skills]] software
* Symbol-based software<ref>{{cite web
| last=Hawes
| first=Paul
| author2=Blenkhorn, Paul
| title=Bridging the Gap between Aspiration and Capability for Aphasic and Brain Injured People
| work=2002 [Technology and Persons with Disabilities] Conference Proceedings
| url=http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/2002/proceedings/220.htm
| year=2002
| access-date=2007-02-08
| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203193923/http://www.csun.edu/cod/conf/2002/proceedings/220.htm
| archive-date=2007-02-03
| url-status=dead
}}</ref>
* [[Text-to-speech]]
* [[Touch typing]] software