One of the keys to web accessibility is ensuring that your site works in tangent with the “adaptive technology” available to differently abled users. This article will serve as a brief overview of the types and tools that ensure that disabled persons have the opportunity to take full advantage of the Internet and all that it has to offer. “Adaptive or assistive” technology is defined by the ADA as “any aid or device that provides individuals with disabilities with an effective method to access information that has traditionally been inaccessible because of a disability.”

In 1990, the American Disabilities Act legislation was passed which intended to make society more accessible to people with disabilities. Because of the expansive growth of Web-based information and the Internet itself, the ADA has also engendered recommendations and growth toward universally accessible design. It is vital that Web pages be designed with consideration for different types of access. Recommendations for universally accessible design can be found at the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) web site.

Subsequent to the 1990 ADA passing, the United States Assistive Technology act was passed in 1998. It defines “assistive or adaptive” technology as any "product, device, or equipment, whether acquired commercially, modified or customized, that is used to maintain, increase, or improve the functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities."

In 2004, there exists a myriad of adaptive technologies to help ensure stronger and long-term Web accessibility. One of the providers of adaptive technologies is Rehabtool.com, which was founded in order to help children and adults with disabilities enhance their lives, increase their independence and productivity, and gain greater social inclusion through leading-edge assistive and adaptive technology. Rehabtool.com is an information technology company that develops and markets unique hardware and software integrated into solutions to assist individuals with disabilities and special needs.

On its Web site, Rehabtool.com details in full the current adaptive technology available to differently abled users. The page lists a full index of “Computer Access Aids.” Computer access aids are defined on the site as “hardware and software products that enables persons with disabilities to access, interact with, and use computers at home, work or school. Includes modified or alternate keyboards, switches activated by pressure, touch screens, special software, voice to text software, etc.”

Subcategories included under the Access Aids (as defined by www.rehabtool.com ):

Alternative Input Devices

• Includes alternative and adaptive keyboards, expanded keyboards, keyguards, alternative and ergonomic mouse/pointing systems, head-operated pointing devices, Eyeglaze pointing devices, mouth/tongue pointing devices, Morse code input devices, brain-actuated pointing devices, switches, touch screens, voice input systems, speech-to-text software, voice recognition/voice command software, dictation software, on-screen keyboards, cursor enlargement software, ergonomic computer-based equipment, etc.

Alternative Output Devices

• Computer-based output devices that generally enable Blind and Vision impaired persons to use or interact with a computer. Includes Braille display/output devices, Braille embosser/printers, screen reading software, screen magnification/enlargement software, large print monitor, etc.

Accessible Software

• Includes software applications adapted for children and adults with disabilities, operating system accessibility options, accessible web browsers, etc.

Universal Design

• Design methods, techniques and guidelines for making computers and their applications fully accessible to people with disabilities.

Whether it be screen readers, voice recognition software or on-screen keyboards, the goal for all of these methods, techniques and guidelines is to not only help people with disabilities have the same accessibility that other users might take for granted, but also to give insight to Web designers on how to truly build their pages, sites and offerings for “all abled” users. If you familiarize yourself with the standards and tools used, then you will be well on your way to true Web accessibility for all.