Different users need a system to work in different ways, so you modify it to match their needs. These modifications are grouped by the type of need: visual, hearing, speech, motor and cognitive.
| Type of need | Modifications to make |
|---|---|
| Visual | For a pupil using a revision app, choose a theme with strong contrast so the words stand out against the background. Add a button that reads the text aloud. Let the user zoom so that both text and images are enlarged. |
| Hearing | For a student watching a science video, add subtitles. Provide a written transcript too, so that no information is audio-only. |
| Speech | For a voice-controlled quiz, let the user type answers on a keyboard instead of speaking. Let them try a command again if it is not recognised. |
| Motor | For a music-making app, make buttons large and easy to tap. Allow voice control, including voice data entry where the user dictates words into a search box. Allow keyboard shortcuts for common actions. |
| Cognitive | For an online homework planner, include a spell checker. Add a read-aloud option. Keep the layout the same on every screen. Use simple words and short sentences. |
Keyboard accessibility lets a user who cannot operate a mouse move around the system using keys alone. For example, in a school library search kiosk, a pupil with a motor need could press Tab to move between the search box and the buttons, then press Enter to run the search. Building a system this way means the user completes the same task as everyone else.
Pearson BTEC Digital Information Technology · Accessibility