Guide for Individuals with Learning Impairments

About Learning Impairments

Learning difficulties and impairments can range from conditions such as dyslexia and attention deficit disorder to retardation. Processing problems are the most common and have the most impact on a person's ability to use computer applications. These conditions interfere with the learning process. Many individuals with learning difficulties and impairments are perfectly capable of learning if information is presented to them in a form and at a pace that is appropriate to them individually. During the learning process, many individuals with learning difficulties benefit from having a multisensory experience of audio speech paired with a visual representation. Reducing visual and auditory distractions can also aid the learning process for many people.

Adjusting your PC

Many accessibility features are built into Windows and other Microsoft products that are useful to people with learning impairments.

• Find demos and tutorials to help you adjust your computer
• Learn how to make it easier to focus on tasks in Windows 7 and Windows Vista
• Learn how to personalize your computer in Windows 7 and Windows Vista

Assistive Technology

You can shop for assistive technology products compatible with Microsoft Windows made by independent assistive technology companies. People who have learning impairments may be interested in the following:

• Word prediction programs allow the user to select a desired word from an on-screen list located in the prediction window. This helps individuals increase written productivity and accuracy, and increase vocabulary skills through word prompting. See also text prediction available in Windows 7 On-Screen Keyboard.
• Reading comprehension programs focus on establishing or improving reading skills through ready-made activities, stories, exercises, or games. These programs can help users practice letter sound recognition and can increase the understanding of words by adding graphics, sound, and possibly animation.
• Reading tools and learning disability programs include software designed to make text-based materials more accessible for people who struggle with reading. Options can include scanning, reformatting, navigating, or speaking text out loud. These programs help individuals who have difficulty seeing or manipulating conventional print materials; people who are developing new literacy skills or who are learning English as a foreign language; and people who comprehend better when they hear and see text highlighted simultaneously.
• Speech synthesizers (often referred to as text-to-speech (TTS) systems) receive information going to the screen in the form of letters, numbers, and punctuation marks, and then "speak" it out loud. Individuals who have lost the ability to communicate orally can use a speech synthesizer to communicate by typing information and letting the speech synthesizer speak it out loud.
• Speech recognition, (also called voice recognition), allows data entry by voice commands rather than a mouse or keyboard. Windows 7 and Windows Vista include speech recognition.