operating system built in features
Persons with Physical Impairments oftentimes are faced with difficulties when it comes to using the computer. Despite there are Assistive Technologies that can assist in the usability of the computer, such persons are still faced with issues when it comes to accessiblity of the operating system. Thankfully, with the implementation of Special Education laws, companies, such as Mac, came up some ingenious assistive technologies that can help people with disabilities, gain access without the hassle of installing appropriate softwares etc.
OS X by Mac includes features like an advanced screen reader, FaceTime, and literacy tools that help those with a wide range of abilities get more from their Macs.
OS X by Mac includes features like an advanced screen reader, FaceTime, and literacy tools that help those with a wide range of abilities get more from their Macs.
VoiceOver is the remarkable screen reader that comes standard with every Mac. But it’s much more than a text-to-speech tool. It tells you exactly what’s happening on your Mac, and lets you fully interact with it using gestures, a keyboard, or a braille display. And it uses Alex, the voice of Mac, who speaks to you in a natural tone.
Learn more about VoiceOver
Learn more about VoiceOver
Zoom is a powerful built-in magnifier that lets you enlarge your screen up to 20 times, so you can better see what’s on the display. You can use it full screen or picture-in-picture allowing you to see the zoomed area in a separate window while keeping the rest of the screen at its native size. The hardware acceleration engine lets you boost the size of everything on your screen — text on a web page, family photos, a place on a map.
Dictation lets you talk where you would type. So you can reply to an email, search the web, or write a report using just your voice. Navigate to any text field, activate Dictation, then say what you want to write. Dictation converts your words into text.
Speakable Items you can control the computer using your voice instead of the keyboard. And you don’t have to train your Mac to use it. Use Speakable Items to do things like close or minimize windows, navigate menus, open and switch between apps, turn text into sticky notes, or start a screen saver. You can even have your Mac acknowledge when it’s heard you.
Further information: http://www.apple.com/accessibility/osx/