A Digital Accessibility Quick Reference Guide

Assistive Technology 

Assistive technology is a device, application, setting, or adaption that a person with a disability needs to access digital content. 

Keyboard Access 

Keyboard access is a fundamental accessibility requirement. Not all people use a mouse or trackpad to interact with a computer.

  • Screen reader programs utilize keyboard functions to allow user to navigate and interact with the operating system and applications.
  • “Keyboard shortcuts” are not just for making work your faster, but are important for people who do not use a mouse or trackpad.
  • Some users may not use a keyboard at all. Alternate input devices are designed to access keyboard commands with as little as 2 buttons.

Visual Disabilities

  • Screenreader
  • Text-to-Speech
  • Magnification / Zoom
  • Color and Contrast Settings
  • Text Resize
  • Voice Command

Auditory Disabilities

  • Captions
  • Lip Reading
  • Sign Language

Motor and Movement Disabilities

  • Voice Command
  • Mouth Stick
  • Switches
  • Eye gaze

Seizure and Vestibular Disorders

  • Pause buttons
  • Flash warnings
  • Settings to turn off autoplay

Neurodiverse

  • Focused Views
  • Responsive Design

Dyslexia

  • Font Settings

Learning Disabilities

  • Minimalist Design
  • Plain Language Writing Techniques
  • Focus Views
  • Font Settings