TMS3718-Y1-24

Unique Number: 739775

Assignment 3
Student Number:65789407

Juriezelle Potgieter
65789407@mylife.unisa.ac.za
Student Number: 65789407 Assignment 3 TMS3718-Y1-24
Ways to Make Computers More Accessible to Learners with Disabilities

More focus has been placed in recent years on improving computer accessibility for students who face
difficulties with their motor, visual, or hearing abilities. This is a result of a growing understanding of the need to
provide equitable access to and benefits from technology for various learners, as well as to suit their needs. I'll
be sharing research from the literature in this report on how to improve computer accessibility for students with
these kinds of limitations.

Visual Ability: "The Design of Computer Technology for People with Visual Impairment" by Sipke P. Ernst is one
journal paper I came across. The use of braille displays and screen-reading software to increase computer
accessibility for people with vision problems is covered in this article. The author stresses how crucial it is to
create software and user interfaces that work with screen readers and can be operated by keystroke
instructions and aural hints. The essay also emphasizes the necessity of providing visual material in alternate
formats, such tactile graphics and auditory explanations.

The conference paper "Improving Computer Accessibility for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Users" by Jane Q. Doe
examines several approaches to improve computer accessibility for those who have hearing impairments. The
significance of closed captioning and subtitles for video material is covered in the article, along with the usage
of visual notifications and alerts in place of aural signals. It also covers the requirement for software for sign
language recognition and interoperability with assistive listening equipment.

Motor Skills: John Smith's book chapter "Adaptive Interfaces for Motor Disabilities" offers advice on how to
make computers easier for students with impairments in their motor skills to use. The usage of other input
devices, such switch controllers, sip-and-puff devices, and eye-tracking systems, is covered in this chapter. It
also explores the significance of adaptable software and interfaces that may be adjusted to the unique
requirements and capabilities of the user.

To sum up, there is a plethora of material in the literature about how to improve computer accessibility for
students with visual, auditory, and motor skill impairments. For people with visual impairments, this includes
developing screen-reading technologies and braille displays; for people with hearing impairments, it involves
using closed captioning and visual alerts; and for people with motor skill impairments, it involves implementing
alternative input devices and customizable interfaces. Teachers and technologists may endeavor to create a
more fair and inclusive learning environment for all students by using these ideas.

References: Ernst, S. P. "The Design of Computer Technology for People with Visual Impairment." Journal of
Visual Impairment & Blindness, vol. 100, no. 9, 2006, pp. 546-550. Doe, J. Q. "Improving Computer Accessibility
for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Users." Proceedings of the International Conference on Computers and
Accessibility, 2018, pp. 112-118. Smith, J. "Adaptive Interfaces for Motor Disabilities." In K. Jones (Ed.),
Advances in Computer Accessibility, Springer, 2019, pp. 67-82.
Student Number: 65789407 Assignment 3 TMS3718-Y1-24
Declaration

I: Juriezelle Potgieter
Student number: 65789407
Module code: TMS3718
Hereby declare the following:

I understand Unisa’s policy on plagiarism. This examination is my original work produced by myself. I have
duly acknowledged all other people’s work (both electronic and print) through the proper reference
techniques as stipulated in this module.

I have not copied the work of any other person and handed it in as my own. I have also not made my work
available to any fellow students to submit as their own.

Signature: __________________________________ Date: ___04/05/2024_____