Category: Assistive Technologies

CSUN Assistive Technology Conference 2023

21 Mar 2023

The Accessible Web team had the pleasure of attending this year’s CSUN Assistive Technology Conference out in California. For the last 37 years, the CSUN Conference has been organized by California State University, Northridge’s Center on Disabilities, and serves as an opportunity for industry leaders, researchers, educators, and technology users to come together around the […]

A Case for Usability and UX Testing

4 Mar 2022

“Nothing About Us, Without Us” If your website hasn’t been tested by real assistive technology users, how do you know it’s truly barrier-free for people with disabilities? You really can’t. That’s why it’s important to include people with disabilities in your web design and accessibility remediation process. Usability/UX testing is your opportunity to have real […]

UX Testing – Refreshable Braille Displays

4 Jan 2022

User experience testing with real users will identify accessibility and usability issues not captured through automated processes. Our experienced testers will navigate through your website using their assistive technology, including refreshable braille displays. What is Braille? Braille is a symbolic system used to represent print using raised dots that a person with visual impairments can […]

Breaking Down Communication Barriers: RogerVoice

7 Sep 2021

Olivier Jannel founded RogerVoice, an app that provides a live transcript of phone calls in over 100 languages, with a mission to break down communication barriers. Inspired by smartphones’ evolving capabilities, as well as his own experiences navigating the world as hearing impaired, he knew he had to create something and differentiate it from other […]

Apple’s New Software Updates and Service, SignTime.

30 Jul 2021

Apple Inc. has recently announced new software updates that are designed to enhance the experience for people with mobility, vision, hearing, and cognitive disabilities. These updates, all slated to be available later this year, are being released across multiple Apple devices.  People with limb differences will be able to navigate Apple Watch using AssistiveTouch; iPad […]

Micro-volunteering in Accessibility: Be My Eyes

28 Jun 2021

Hans Jørgen Wiberg, a visually impaired furniture craftsman, started Be My Eyes in search of becoming more independent. Be My Eyes is a free app that connects blind and low-vision people seeking visual assistance with a network of volunteers via video calls.  How it works: A visually impaired person needs visual assistance with a task. […]

Assistive Technology Focus: Sip and Puff Devices

19 Oct 2020

Most types of assistive technology we’ve outlined in previous posts, require the use of one’s hands, motor capacity or mobility of another part of the body in order to use computer devices and the internet. That’s why, for our next post in our Assistive Technology Focus series, we’re going to discuss Sip and Puff devices. […]

A11y Updates: Windows, Firefox and Apple

28 Aug 2020

We’re always thrilled to hear about technology companies updating their products specifically for accessibility. Not only does improved technology enhance experiences for people with disabilities, but these updates move the needle a bit further towards progress. Let’s hope that other companies and organizations follow suit, because everyone benefits from accessibility. Here are some of the […]

Assistive Technology Focus: Braille Devices

12 Aug 2020

One of the best things about being in the digital accessibility field is learning about the innovative tools that give users with disabilities the ability to access and understand content they otherwise could not experience. Assistive technology (AT) allows folks with disabilities to access computers, electronic devices and the web using additional or alternative input […]

A11y Spotlight: Neil Squire Society

10 Jul 2020

Helping people with disabilities gain confidence and independence through the computer When Bill Cameron’s cousin, Neil Squire, was in a car accident that left him unable to move his leg or arms or to speak, Bill was determined to find a way to help Neil to communicate.  This determination eventually led to the Neil Squire […]