Universal Design Features on Computers

Computers are capable of doing some amazing things....and some of these things are features that help students with disabilities! Both Apple and Microsoft companies have a variety of special features in their operating systems to accommodate for all people. Universal design is a broad spectrum that allows accessibility to all people, with or without disabilities, computers have universal features that all people can benefit from! 

Here is a list of the universal design features on computers:

1.
Flexibility-in-Use Guideline: Provide choice in method of use
Operating System Features: Control computer with mouse or keyboard; receive information by reading (monitor) or listening (text-to-speech)
Student Characteristics: Keyboard use supports students who have - poor fine motor control, limited range of motion, difficulty in visually tracking mouse pointer

2. 
Flexibility-in-Use Guideline: Accommodate left & right handed users
Operating System Features: One-button mouse; functions of the two-button mouse can be switched
Student Characteristics: Able to use only one hand or has better control with one hand

3.
Flexibility-in-Use Guideline: Take into account variations in precision and accuracy of mouse use
Operating System Features: Enlarged icons
Student Characteristics: Low vision, visual perceptual issues, hand-eye coordination problems, hand tremors, poor fine motor control, cognitive deficits

4.
Flexibility-in-Use Guideline: Adaptability to user's pace
Operating System Features: Set speed of mouse travel, set timing for double-click, set keyboard repeat delay, set keyboard repeat speed
Student Characteristics: Increase mouse speed for students with limited range of motion; decrease mouse speed for students with visual tracking difficulty, poor fine motor control, difficulty raising head to monitor the movement of the mouse pointer; increase repeat delay for students with poor fine motor control and difficulty raising head to check for typing accuracy