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For people with disabilities, sometimes the tiniest changes mean the difference between inclusion and exclusion: For example, curb cuts in sidewalks, ramps beside stairs, or raised text.

According to the online disability community iCan.com, 13.6 million Americans have difficulty using their hands. Nearly 10 million adults have difficulty seeing words and letters. For the aging population and for people with disabilities, assistive technology (AT) is a ticket to independence.

AT refers to any technology that creates a level playing field for people with disabilities. Examples range from talking yellow pages to beeping walk signals that indicate when to safely cross a street.

In the field of personal computers, the benefits of AT are especially pronounced. While all people can benefit from the increased convenience computers offer, computers can be liberating for members of the disabled population. People with disabilities often face an environment that disrupts the pace of their work. Assistive computer technology can help create an environment where human potential isn't limited by physical barriers.

For libraries, which strive to serve as diverse a community as possible and seek to create an inclusive workplace, AT makes it possible to welcome more people to the team.

With the increased number of computers in the home and office, AT has exploded in the technology sector and created hundreds, if not thousands, of products and technologies to meet market demand. Sometimes the solution is incredibly simple and inexpensive, such as adjustable onscreen font sizes for the visually impaired and flexible keyboard wands for those with manual dexterity disabilities. Affordable software and hardware are available to solve all manner of problems.

Assistive software

A variety of AT software programs exist for the Microsoft Windows market, and alternative operating systems offer an even broader range of choices. New products reach the market each year, creating more options for the millions of people affected by disabilities.

Screen magnification tools help users with low vision read their monitors. Users select the section of the screen they want magnified, or opt to have the entire image on the monitor enlarged. Programs such as Close View come with the Macintosh operating system, and a similar tool comes with the accessibility features in Windows.

There are numerous inexpensive or free utilities available for download that add more functionality. More robust commercial programs like MAGic and ZoomText are also widely available.

For computer users who are completely blind, screen-reading programs such as JAWS, Window Eyes, ZoomText, or Dolphin convert onscreen text into voice.

For those who have difficulty typing, voice recognition software such as Dragon NaturallySpeaking and IBM's ViaVoice allows users with repetitive stress injuries or limited manual dexterity to enter data through a voice interface with limited reliance on keyboard entry or mice.

Alternative hardware

Like AT software, AT hardware can be extremely simple. For example, a standard keyboard can become an AT device when you turn on the sticky keys functionality, which eliminates the need to hold down multiple keys simultaneously to perform certain commands.

There are thousands of hardware devices put out by hundreds of developers that offer alternatives to the 10-finger requirements of the typical keyboard and mouse. For every level of physical ability, there is an appropriate input device. There are mice that require only one finger to operate and others that feature large buttons that can be pressed by a clenched fist. Devices even vary in the level of contact required to operate them, adjusting for anything from a light tap to a heavy hit.

Keyboard designs can accommodate anything from a pinky to an elbow. For people who cannot use their hands, there are input/output devices that can be controlled by the feet, by pointing the head, or even by blinking. Keyboards also come in a range of colors designed to appeal to people with cognitive limitations, and with larger keys to assist people with limited mobile dexterity.

With proper training, such devices allow people with the most extreme physical disabilities to use the computer successfully.

The future of AT

AT in the computer field is still growing, and new products are continually being developed. Although they serve a competitive niche market, AT vendors keep the marketplace flush with utilities and devices that they hope will allow millions to access the world of technology.

Learn more

If you're interested in learning more about AT or finding a place where you or someone else can test these devices, the Alliance for Technology Access is a national organization that matches people with disabilities and educators with resource facilities in their community.

Also, the AT Network, developed by The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, has a referral number (800-390-2699 or TDD, 800-900-0706) that offers information on AT products, services, training, and funding assistance for individuals at home and in the workplace.