Best Online Tech Tools to Boost Accessibility
At its core, making your website or product accessible means making sure that everyone can use and experience it, regardless of ability. Yet, creating an inclusive experience goes beyond adding descriptive ALT tags and using appropriate contrast levels. It requires harnessing innovative online tools to optimize usability across users.
This blog post will take a closer look at some top tech tools you can leverage in order to boost accessibility on your website and provide visitors with positive user experiences no matter who comes to visit it.
Types of Accessibility Technologies
Accessibility technologies are designed to assist those with disabilities navigate the digital world, but they can also make life simpler for everyone. For instance, text-to-speech technology can read emails and articles aloud for people with visual impairments, saving both time and energy. Voice assistants such as Siri and Google Home can be invaluable resources for people with limited mobility or dexterity, providing hands-free control of smart devices and performing tasks without being limited by physical limitations.
Captioning and sign language interpretation services make online videos more accessible for deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals but can also come in handy in noisy environments or when the sound quality is subpar. Even if you don’t consider yourself to have a disability, accessibility technologies offer many advantages that can make life a little simpler for everyone.
Overview of Assistive Technology Products
Assistive technology has revolutionized how people with disabilities interact with technology. Voice recognition software, text readers, and screen magnifiers are just some of the many products available. These all help to make communication and access to information more equitable for those living with a disability.
Voice recognition software enables a user to “type” with just their voice, saving both time and effort. Text readers provide individuals with visual impairments access to information they wouldn’t normally be able to see themselves. Screen magnifiers make reading text on computer screens easier for those with low vision. They do this by zooming in to magnify text and images onscreen. Assistive technology has been immensely valuable to helping improve accessibility to information for individuals with disabilities as well as organizations.
Mobile applications that increase accessibility
Mobile applications have revolutionized the lives of individuals and businesses alike. For those living with disabilities or limited mobility, these apps can be life-altering. Of the wide range of available apps, accessibility apps offer solutions designed to make daily tasks simpler and more achievable. There are tools for texting and note-taking that support voice dictation capabilities. They break down barriers by empowering users to express themselves freely while staying organized. Imagine being able to send a text without physically having to type out words. Technology provides an equal playing field and promotes inclusivity for all.
Websites providing helpful resources
There are a number of websites offering free resources to promote accessibility. For instance, some provide audio books for individuals with visual impairments or print disabilities. This helps to promote diversity and inclusivity through literature.
Furthermore, the Top 5 Accessibility website ranks and reviews accessibility apps, tools, and products so users can find those most suited to their individual needs. Additionally, this site also contains educational articles related to accessibility. This makes it an invaluable resource.
Personalization
Personalization can make the web much less daunting by streamlining your experience online. Thus, it helps you locate the information you’re searching for more quickly and easily. By taking a few simple steps, personalization allows you to tailor the internet to yourself. For instance, by changing browser settings, choosing your search engine of choice, customizing news feeds and social media feeds as well as tailoring news updates based on what truly matters to you.
With tailored results at your disposal, saving time can become much more achievable while staying focused on what truly matters on the web. Thus, making the vastness seem much more manageable than before.
