Disabilities and Generic Features
Summary of the aspects that affect those with disabilities and generic features that could be helpful to all users given by disability:
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Blind and visually impaired
As has been said a person with a visual impairment will find that using a PDA can be problematic mainly because of the size and clarity of the display. They may also find the layout of hardware buttons on a PDA difficult to distinguish and use.
Features of a PDA that may hinder accessibility are:
- A small screen size
- A low screen resolution
- A small standard font size
- A short sentence wrapping distance
- Small touch screen sensitivity areas
- Poor screen contrast control
- Poor (font, back or side) lighting for the screen
- Buttons with a low tactile quality
- Buttons with small labelling or symbolism
Features that make accessibility possible:
- "Live" Text-To-Speech (screen reading and document reading).
- Speech recognition (both text transcription and for 'actioning' commands)
- An external screen magnifier
- Keyboard commands with navigational prompts
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Specific Learning Difficulties / Dyslexia and other Cognitive Difficulties
People with specific learning difficulties may find that some of the accessibility features mentioned in the Blind/Visually impaired section will also apply due to the fact that they may have a visual processing deficit or be a 'visual learner'.
Features of a PDA that may hinder accessibility are:
- Un-intuitive layout of hardware buttons that action functional commands (e.g. mal-aligned hardware)
- buttons for cursor navigation control)
- Un-intuitive location or actions of fixed onscreen buttons.
- Poor use of symbolism/icons and visual representations of actions or commands.
- Lack of true multimedia options
- Poor quality calendar or diary functions that could be invaluable for those with short term memory difficulties
Features that make accessibility possible:
- "Live" Text-To-Speech (screen reading and document reading).
- Speech recognition (both text transcription and for 'actioning' commands)
- Simple graphical navigational aids
- Clear menu structures
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Deaf / Hearing Impairment
Many of the difficulties that deaf users may encounter have already been mentioned and are often the same issues that arise when using mobile phones.
Features of a PDA that may hinder accessibility are:
- Alerts which are purely auditory (e.g. a sharp tone given when user errors occur)
- Complex use of PDA specific language
Features that make accessibility possible:
- Vibrating alert
- Flashing LED
- Flashing Display and / or light
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Manual Dexterity
A person with manual dexterity problems may find manipulating or using a PDA in their hands cumbersome or difficult. They may lack the dexterity needed to coordinate holding a PDA and using it simultaneously. Most of the PDAs we have been looking at, have touch screens and the GUI (graphical user interface) can be activated by touch.
Features of a PDA that may hinder accessibility are:
- Holding a PDA for 'in hand use'
- Type of force or fine touch required to action buttons or other physical controls
- Small size and/or non-ergonomic shapes of buttons
- Where stylus or touch screen controls are the only option.
- Small thin, hard to grip styli
- Poor operating system support for hardware accessories (e.g. additional keyboards)
Features that make accessibility possible:
- PDA Cases designed with materials that increase friction and grip.
- An overall shape that allows the device to be comfortably held in the average adult hand.
- Larger more ergonomic styli that are more easily gripped.
- The availability of keyboards or other hardware data input devices.
- Speech recognition (both text transcription and for actioning commands)
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Mobility Impairment
A person with mobility impairment may have difficulty in moving from place to place, due to a physical or medical constraint. They may find the portability of a PDA useful. On the other hand, gross motor impairments might cause operational difficulties.
Features of a PDA that may hinder accessibility are:
- The 'handheld' nature of PDAs, often not ruggerised.
- A heavy weight to carry
- A short battery life requiring regular charging
Features that make accessibility possible:
- The availability and/or feasibility of mounting brackets for use with a desk, wheelchair or in a fixed location.
- A means of portable battery recharging.
- Speech recognition (both text transcription and for actioning commands)
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Speech and Language difficulties
A person with a speech or language difficulties may find it hard to cope with complex technical language and may prefer to use symbol or graphical based communication systems.
Features of a PDA that may hinder accessibility are:
- Poor use of symbolism/icons and visual representations of actions or commands.
- Poor speech output from written text or picture grids i.e audible text to speech
- Poor quality built-in speakers
- Lack of true multimedia options
Features that make accessibility possible:
- "Live" Text-To-Speech (screen reading and document reading).
- Better in-built memory to cope with speech out-put
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Links within the section
Introduction
Overview of a PDA
Generic Features
Accessibility and Generic Features
