About InContexT: AbilityNet

Making technology accessible

This supporting set of material provides an invaluable reference guide to accessibility issues for individuals with disability. It focuses on how technology can help overcome difficulties, many of which affect learning.

Although a key accompaniment to the SEN sessions, this CD is also of more general and lasting value. Feel free to use it as a practical source of information and ideas relating to technological solutions to problems with accessing learning.

All of the content has been produced by our partners AbilityNet and is divided into two main parts:

Successful Computing for Disabled People

This considers accessibility options for a range of problems including:

Physical disability: Information on common tools and methods to help people with a physical disability gain access to a computer system.
Sensory impairment: Common tools and methods for gaining access to a computer system, for those with sensory impairment.
Reading and writing: Details of tools and methods to enable those with a reading and writing difficulty to access a computer system.

In addition, it provides:

Video case studies: Demonstrations of the ways in which technology is used to overcome a variety of difficulties that disabled people face in their day-to-day lives.
Factsheets and skillsheets: The factsheets cover a range of subjects including the technologies, approaches, services and organisations which can help anyone who has a special ICT requirement. The skillsheets offer step-by-step guides to help you configure computers and software to meet individual requirements. Audio factsheets are also included.
UK contacts: A list of resources for further information.

My Computer My Way!

This very useful guide focuses on ways in which computers can themselves be made more accessible to individuals facing particular difficulties. It covers, for example:

Why customising a computer is important
Helping with seeing the screen: Making the text or mouse pointer easier to see, choosing your preferred colours, making your computer talk.
Help with using your keyboard and mouse: Making your mouse and keyboard easier to use, talking to your computer.
Help with language and reading: Choosing your preferred colours and text style, help with writing and spelling, making your computer talk, talking to your computer.

The emphasis throughout is on ways in which the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office suite of software can be modified to help meet specific needs. The approach is very practical and supportive and can provide assistance to even reticent users of computers.

Nature of the materials

InContexT: AbilityNet uses a very simple and highly flexible approach. All materials are accessed by making choices from an easy-to-use interface, which runs from within a Web browser. The core of the system, including the interface and training material for the basic skills, can be placed onto and accessed via an Intranet or used directly from the CD-ROM.

Other material is presented in portable document format (PDF) and is viewed and used within the Adobe Acrobat Reader program (supplied).

Go to the materials.



		About InContexT: AbilityNet Making technology accessible This supporting set of material provides an invaluable reference guide to accessibility issues for individuals with disability. It focuses on how technology can help overcome difficulties, many of which affect learning. Although a key accompaniment to the SEN sessions, this CD is also of more general and lasting value. Feel free to use it as a practical source of information and ideas relating to technological solutions to problems with accessing learning. All of the content has been produced by our partners AbilityNet and is divided into two main parts: Successful Computing for Disabled People My Computer My Way! Successful Computing for Disabled People This considers accessibility options for a range of problems including: Physical disability: Information on common tools and methods to help people with a physical disability gain access to a computer system. Sensory impairment: Common tools and methods for gaining access to a computer system, for those with sensory impairment. Reading and writing: Details of tools and methods to enable those with a reading and writing difficulty to access a computer system. In addition, it provides: Video case studies: Demonstrations of the ways in which technology is used to overcome a variety of difficulties that disabled people face in their day-to-day lives. Factsheets and skillsheets: The factsheets cover a range of subjects including the technologies, approaches, services and organisations which can help anyone who has a special ICT requirement. The skillsheets offer step-by-step guides to help you configure computers and software to meet individual requirements. Audio factsheets are also included. UK contacts: A list of resources for further information. My Computer My Way! This very useful guide focuses on ways in which computers can themselves be made more accessible to individuals facing particular difficulties. It covers, for example: Why customising a computer is important Helping with seeing the screen: Making the text or mouse pointer easier to see, choosing your preferred colours, making your computer talk. Help with using your keyboard and mouse: Making your mouse and keyboard easier to use, talking to your computer. Help with language and reading: Choosing your preferred colours and text style, help with writing and spelling, making your computer talk, talking to your computer. The emphasis throughout is on ways in which the Microsoft Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office suite of software can be modified to help meet specific needs. The approach is very practical and supportive and can provide assistance to even reticent users of computers. Nature of the materials InContexT: AbilityNet uses a very simple and highly flexible approach. All materials are accessed by making choices from an easy-to-use interface, which runs from within a Web browser. The core of the system, including the interface and training material for the basic skills, can be placed onto and accessed via an Intranet or used directly from the CD-ROM. Other material is presented in portable document format (PDF) and is viewed and used within the Adobe Acrobat Reader program (supplied). Go to the materials.