OS Accessibility

Linux, Mac or Windows... all have accessibility features to make their environments more usable by all... but SO MANY people don't even realize that simple modifications that can make a huge difference in the ease of accessing their systems are availble!

Although the statistics reinforce that Windows is still the mostly widely used operating system on computers, Apple and Linux are seeing huge growth at Windows expense.

Below is a brief summary of the various OS's and information on their built in accessibility features:

Linux
Linux, an open source based operating system is extrememly popular amongst developers and students. Much of the work on a Linux accessibility has been focused on the Gnome desktop. An overview of Linux accessibiltiy features may be found on the Linux Accessibility Resource Site developed by ATRC staff: http://larswiki.atrc.utoronto.ca/wiki/Software

Apple / Mac
Mac accessibility features for their computer systems are found in the Universal Access section of the System Preferences, however Mac Accessibility has extended beyond the computing platforms to address concerns around the accessibility of its software applications (including iTunes), portable music players (currently focussing on the iPod Nano) and the iPhone. Apple maintains a very descriptive website on their accessibility philosophy and work at: http://www.apple.com/accessibility/

Windows
Windows accessibility features may be accessed through the Accessibility Wizard (a guided process to adjust many - not all - of the accessibility features) and Accessibility Options in the Control Panel. In addition to the accessibility features found in the Windows OS, Microsoft also considers the accessibility of their many software products. A vast resource of information on Microsoft Accessibility products is maintained by the company at:
http://www.microsoft.com/enable

Laurie's Guide to Assistive (aka Adaptive) Technology

Hmm... who needs another blog, website or ?? on AT? Probably no one. There are an incredible number of websites, tutorials, videos, and on-line courses on the basics of Assistive Technology.

So WHY this blog?

This blog will hopefully NOT reinvent the wheel (so to speak!). The goal is to identify truly excellent resources to help answer the basic questions as to how technology can assist you. It will also help me organize my thoughts so that I can "clean-up" these "stream of consciousness" type posts into articles for, dare I say since I am admittedly biased, excellent websites on Assistive Technology - those being http://atrc.utoronto.ca/ and http://snow.utoronto.ca/ .

What's so great about these websites?

The ATRC site is being redesigned and will have a new face in the next few months. I am hoping to reorganize the content to reflect a focus on how commercial assistive technology products and our many research projects are supporting the evolution of technology in it's many development phases to be more inclusive of all who use it.

SNOW is an excellent resource of many resoruces related to special education - not just AT. That being said - there is also a lot of information and an online course available on AT... so I would encourage you to "check it out"!

So... What to look forward to?

I am thinking that I will create short posts whenver I have a few minutes to summarize basic AT principles, highlight new and funky technology, examples of the "curb cut advantage" in our daily lives, helpful hints, quick tips... whatever I am inspired to write at the moment.

Formal writing is NOT my favorite thing (not a surprise if you've come this far), but these thoughts will contain resources that will hopefully help you on your search for more information to help you, your clients, your family or with whatever quest brought you to this site.

If I'm not posting and you want to give me a virtual kick in the pants to get going again - feel free to do so!

If you have a specific topic or question you'd like more information about... send this to me as well!

This will be fun!!!