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

Screen readers

Some problems have been reported in using screen readers with Adobe Acrobat 6.0 protected files, but these appear to have been overcome in Acrobat 7.0. You can find more information about this at:

http://www.webaim.org/techniques/acrobat/reader.php#check__40_140_05_02

A good example of a screen reader which is well liked by users is JAWS for Windows. You can find more information about it at: http://www.freedomscientific.com/fs_products/JAWS_HQ.asp

Many libraries use Supernova, which incorporates a screen reader called HAL. Supernova also incorporates a very good monitor screen magnification element - so it can help partially sighted clients. You can get further information (and download an evaluation copy) from: http://www.synapseadaptive.com/dolphin/

The Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) site gives a useful list of access software at:

http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/PublicWebsite/public_resources.hcsp#64_7023

Let's consider Colour blindness ...