The computer that I use for personal use, including completing my graduate assignments, is quite old. The operating system is Windows Vista and the Microsoft Office product is 2007. Just for my own personal use, I utilize a couple of the accessible features such as turning up the volume to hear, using headphones for an even clearer sound experience, and enlarging the text for easier reading. In fact, I found myself increasing font size these days on just about any software or app that will allow it, but that is for another blog about aging. But I have wondered on a few occasions how I will be able to use the computer as I get older. Will I be able to type as fast? Will I be able to see the screen? Will I be able to hear audio? Accessibility is not just for our students, but for an entire population of computer users. I am sure all of us can benefit from using some of the accessibility features built within the operating systems of our computers.
Upon random exploration of my operating system, I found a lot more accessibility features than the ones I was already accustomed to using. So much so, that it was starting to become a bit overwhelming. And then I thought, there has got to be a better way to learn about all of the accessible features that Windows Vista has to offer. So, I did what any middle school student would do...I Googled it. Note: I am supposing that Google has earned the same rite of capitalization as say Windows Vista or Microsoft Word. I will Google it later to find out proper punctuation.
The first Web site I found was to an article on Accessible Tech.org titled “What accessibility features are provided with Windows Vista?”. Upon reading the article, I quickly realized that there are many features that I use often that can be considered accessible for some such as changing font sizes, colors, sound volume, and sizes of items on my desktop, which made me more aware of my design choices as I develop materials for students. I also learned from reading this article that there are many features with my operating system that I was not aware of in terms of accessibility.
In an attempt not to be redundant, I am not going to type the entire list of accessible features for Windows Vista. Instead, I will point out a couple of adaptable settings. Specifically the keyboard and the mouse since I was unaware of their accessible features. I have never considered that changing the double click speed for the mouse would be an issue for some with physical challenges. I can definitely see myself changing this particular setting as I get older. I also had no idea what a Dvorak keyboard was until I read this article, nor did I realize that Windows Vista had this ability to accommodate my keyboard. The Dvorak keyboard allows someone to choose alternative layouts if s/he types with one hand or finger.
Windows Vista also provides an Ease of Access center. Now, you would have thought that after 6 years with this operating system, I would have discovered the Ease of Access center. But, my needs are simple for computer use at the moment. I really only need to adapt the text and font sizes to a larger size for my eyes. But I found the Ease of Access center to be a helpful tool to personally create an accessible computer. The onscreen keyboard can be particularly useful for those who find themselves unable to use a keyboard.
Finally, the article led me to a Microsoft page specifically highlighting Accessibility in Windows Vista. For those who have Windows 7 or 8, there are links to those pages as well. What I liked about Microsoft’s Web page is there there are videos and demos to assist users in establishing their accessibility settings.
In the textbook Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching, Roblyer and Doering point out that the goal of technology, specifically assistive technology, is to “harness the potential of technology in ways that offer an individual with a disability increased opportunities for learning, productivity, and independence - opportunities that would otherwise not be available” (2013). In a day and age when computers are used on a daily basis by so many people for personal, professional, and educational purposes, having accessible features built within operating systems for computers will give those individuals with a disability a sense of independence since technology has a way of leveling the playing field.
Upon random exploration of my operating system, I found a lot more accessibility features than the ones I was already accustomed to using. So much so, that it was starting to become a bit overwhelming. And then I thought, there has got to be a better way to learn about all of the accessible features that Windows Vista has to offer. So, I did what any middle school student would do...I Googled it. Note: I am supposing that Google has earned the same rite of capitalization as say Windows Vista or Microsoft Word. I will Google it later to find out proper punctuation.
The first Web site I found was to an article on Accessible Tech.org titled “What accessibility features are provided with Windows Vista?”. Upon reading the article, I quickly realized that there are many features that I use often that can be considered accessible for some such as changing font sizes, colors, sound volume, and sizes of items on my desktop, which made me more aware of my design choices as I develop materials for students. I also learned from reading this article that there are many features with my operating system that I was not aware of in terms of accessibility.
In an attempt not to be redundant, I am not going to type the entire list of accessible features for Windows Vista. Instead, I will point out a couple of adaptable settings. Specifically the keyboard and the mouse since I was unaware of their accessible features. I have never considered that changing the double click speed for the mouse would be an issue for some with physical challenges. I can definitely see myself changing this particular setting as I get older. I also had no idea what a Dvorak keyboard was until I read this article, nor did I realize that Windows Vista had this ability to accommodate my keyboard. The Dvorak keyboard allows someone to choose alternative layouts if s/he types with one hand or finger.
Windows Vista also provides an Ease of Access center. Now, you would have thought that after 6 years with this operating system, I would have discovered the Ease of Access center. But, my needs are simple for computer use at the moment. I really only need to adapt the text and font sizes to a larger size for my eyes. But I found the Ease of Access center to be a helpful tool to personally create an accessible computer. The onscreen keyboard can be particularly useful for those who find themselves unable to use a keyboard.
Finally, the article led me to a Microsoft page specifically highlighting Accessibility in Windows Vista. For those who have Windows 7 or 8, there are links to those pages as well. What I liked about Microsoft’s Web page is there there are videos and demos to assist users in establishing their accessibility settings.
In the textbook Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching, Roblyer and Doering point out that the goal of technology, specifically assistive technology, is to “harness the potential of technology in ways that offer an individual with a disability increased opportunities for learning, productivity, and independence - opportunities that would otherwise not be available” (2013). In a day and age when computers are used on a daily basis by so many people for personal, professional, and educational purposes, having accessible features built within operating systems for computers will give those individuals with a disability a sense of independence since technology has a way of leveling the playing field.
Follow Up: According to Grammar Girl, capitalizing is still open for debate, but trademarked terms are probably best to capitalize, even when using as a verb.
References
Accessibility in windows vista. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/windowsvista/default.aspx
Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching. (6 ed.). Prentice Hall.
What accessibility features are provided with windows vista operating system? . (2012). Retrieved from http://accessibletech.org/access_articles/os/osAccessVista.php
References
Accessibility in windows vista. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/windowsvista/default.aspx
Roblyer, M. D., & Doering, A. H. (2012). Integrating educational technology into teaching. (6 ed.). Prentice Hall.
What accessibility features are provided with windows vista operating system? . (2012). Retrieved from http://accessibletech.org/access_articles/os/osAccessVista.php