5.2 Using ICT to support clients with special needs or specific language requirements

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
   1. Websites for those with special needs or specific language requirements
   2. Problems for clients with impaired vision
   3. Screen readers
   4. Colour blindness
   5. Clients with specific language requirements
2. Evaluating websites against best practice guidance
3. Assistive technologies
4. Changing software and keyboard settings
5. Voice synthesis and voice recognition

Introduction

This section relates to the ways in which ICT can support clients with special needs or those with specific language requirements. For example, this client group might include those visually impaired, those whose first language is not English, those disabled, those with literacy difficulties, and those with dyslexia or learning disabilities.

Many of the clients in this group will be mature and capable with the same information needs as everyone else and could benefit from some of the assistive technologies to enable them to access the wide range of resources.

Sensitivity is required in assessing the ability and aptitude of the client. It is important to remember that disabilities may not affect the reading level of clients or their interests. It may be useful to use pictograms instead of text in signage for some clients in this group.

Let's start by looking at some Websites for those with special needs ...