Understanding Accessible Technology

Accessible technology is computer technology which enables individuals to adjust a computer to meet their visual, hearing, dexterity, cognitive, and speech needs.

Types of accessible technology studied include:

• Accessibility options built into products such as options that change font size and color.
• Assistive technology products which are specialty hardware and software products such as a screen reader or voice recognition product.

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The Need for Accessible Technology

The majority of computer users can benefit from the use of accessible technology, according to a study commissioned by Microsoft and conducted by Forrester Research.

The figure below shows that 57% (74.2 million) of computer users are likely or very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to having mild or severe difficulties/impairments. Specifically:

• 40% (51.6 million) of computer users are likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to mild difficulties/impairments.
• 17% (22.6 million) of computer users are very likely to benefit from the use of accessible technology due to severe difficulties/impairments.

Read more about the need and demand for accessible technology.