ACCESSIBILITY TASK- Week 10

Activity 1

This picture is about someone using more than one device at once. An example of a device that would benefit this person would be a touchscreen laptop. The reason behind this is because a touchscreen laptop is very developed and is highly recommended in today’s society.


In this picture, you can see that there is a family and one of the kids is holding a tablet. An example of a device that would benefit this family would be a Nintendo switch or a Game Boy. The reason behind this is that it is portable, light and very easy to use no matter about how old the child is. 




In this picture, there is an old-aged lady who may have poor hearing ability and may be slow due to the illness she could have such as arthritis. An example of a device which could benefit her for the future would be a touchscreen device. The reason behind this is because if she was to use a keyboard, it may take her longer to type which can affect her in an awful way.



In this picture, you can see someone’s hand on a book. An example of a device which could benefit this person would be phones with features such as Apple’s Siri (Voice recognition). This would benefit the person for the future as when they want to search for something that can speak to the phone or tablet which would reply to them in a very formal way.



In this picture, you can see that this kid is able to use a lot of devices including Nintendo switch, tablets etc. In addition to this, as it is a picture of a kid, you would want it to be suitable so maybe if there was a touchscreen, it would make it more enjoyable for the child.

Activity 2- Screen Reader

What is a screen reader?

A screen reader is a software application that empowers individuals with serious visual disabilities to utilize a PC. Screen readers work intimately with the PC's Operating System (OS) to give data about symbols, menus, dialog boxes, documents and folders to organise. A screen reader gives access to the whole OS that it works with, including numerous regular applications.

Demonstration of a screen reader

A person who uses a screen reader can navigate to a web page using a keyboard. The screen reader will tell the person where they are on the page and allow the person to read various parts of the page. For example, if the person wanted to open up the internet, the person would press the windows key on the keyboard and the screen reader will tell them there is a menu and they have to use the arrows to go up or down to find the internet. Once they have found the internet, the person must enter Alt-D to get up the navigation tool bar and enter text. So once the person searches up for a specific website, the screen reader will tell them all the information that is needed about the website.

NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access)

This is an app which is free of charge and is an open source screen reader which means anyone can use it. NVDA is for the Microsoft Windows working framework. It bolsters more than 20 languages and can run on any PC totally from a USB drive with no initialisation.

While I was navigating through NVDA, I was able to use certain keys to make my life easier. This was very useful for me because it allowed me to access the softwae in the simplest way. The keys that I used were H(1-6) which is for number of headings so for example there was 6 headings so I had to choose between numbers 1,2,3,4,5,6. B is for how many buttons there was on the page, L is for Lists, I is for how many Items that was on the list, T is for Tables, F is for Forms, Ctrl Home is the top of the page and Ctrl End is the bottom of the page. As i mainly used the Headings, Ctrl Home and Ctrl End, I was constantly pressing the letter H, Ctrl Home and Ctrl End on the keyboard.

Activity 3

• A user should access social media - the social media application icons need to be suitable as the size needs to be adjusted so it can be visible for users with poor sight and placed where it can be accessed swiftly.  

• A user should know a page is secure before they input private information - a pop up box should appear notifying users that the website is secure for access and information can be given.  
• A user should be able to select an item to buy. - the selection of an item to be purchased should be heighted suitably allowing the user to know that item has been selected for purchase.  
• A user should be able to send a text message to a friend. -  the touchscreen keypad should allow users to type a message to send to a friend however, the keypad will need to have characters more visible as this can be done by adjusting the size and changing the colour of touchscreen keypad.  
• A user should view all contacts saved – the contacts application should display the list of all saved contacts for the user. The font and size of each text should be suitable making it more visible and easier to access for users with poor visibility.  
• A user should access the internet – an internet browser application should be in the first screen of the user’s smartphone allowing for quick access to the internet. The application icon should be visible so the size can be adjusted.  

1. Consider the activities that you use a smartphone for? 

A smartphone has many uses, but the main uses are for call and text. Depending on the age group smartphones can be used for application use as there are many apps that allow users to interact with. An example of app use is to support work and business allowing users to manage emails. 

2. Consider what other people use smartphones for? 

Smartphones can be used for many various tasks as it has apps and features that help users to perform specific tasks. An example of an app that help users is a travel app that help users to track real time bus and train times. This is a useful app that helps people daily allowing them to travel to places more efficiently.  

3. Consider the activities that you use a tablet for? 

Tablets can be used for many things such as for kids they can use tablet to play games on as it is easy for them to use. The touchscreen feature on the tablet allows kids to effectively interact with the user interface. Another example of use is for a business as it is portable it can be used to manage a business database on the go, as the access to the application is very efficient.  

4. Consider what other people use a tablet for? 

Tablet can be used by all age groups as it provides simple interaction and control due to the touchscreen feature. For elderly people who have poor mobility can find using a tablet very beneficial as it allows them to manage the device using touch. This is more suitable than a computer or laptop as they will need to type. 

Access 

• A user should access social media - the social media application icons need to be suitable as the size needs to be adjusted so it can be visible for users with poor sight and placed where it can be accessed swiftly. 
• A user should access the internet – an internet browser application should be in the first screen of the user’s smartphone allowing for quick access to the internet. The application icon should be visible so the size can be adjusted. 
• A user should be able to take pictures and view gallery – the camera icon should be visible by adjusting size so it can be easily accessed. The gallery should have all saved pictures. The pictures should be easily viewed by editing the size allowing users with poor sight to view reliably. 

• A user should access settings – the settings application icon is important as it needs to be adjusted in size, so it is visible for users with poor sight. The settings menu should have suitable font and text size allowing users to manage their settings suitably and reliably. 

Select 

• A user should be able to select an item to buy. - the selection of an item to be purchased should be heighted suitably allowing the user to know that item has been selected for purchase. 
• A user should be able to do emergency calls – the call icon should be on the user screen always as it is the most crucial feature on a phone. The icon needs to be visible therefore, the size should be adjusted. 

Search 

• A user should view all contacts saved – the contacts application should display the list of all saved contacts for the user. The font and size of each text should be suitable making it more visible and easier to access for users with poor visibility. 

Input 

• A user should be able to send a text message to a friend. -  the touchscreen keypad should allow users to type a message to send to a friend however, the keypad will need to have characters more visible as this can be done by adjusting the size and changing the colour of touchscreen keypad. 

Security  

• A user should know a page is secure before they input private information - a pop up box should appear notifying users that the website is secure for access and information can be given. 

• A user should be able to unlock smartphone- the correct security system should be set for the user to gain swift access to the smartphone. The specific security set must be user- friendly. 

7. Consider how the hardware or software would need to be designed to enable somebody who is blind or has a visual impairment to do each task? 

The smartphone will need to be designed with a voice recognition system to allow users who are blind to interact and manage their smartphone. The smartphone will need to have a built-in system on which anything the blind person touches on the screen it will respond with a voice over answer. This will benefit them hugely to interact with various apps within the smartphone. Users who are have poor sight will need all text and application adjusted in size to make it visible for them to interact. Furthermore, the layout on which the apps are positioned will need to be adjusted as well as the colour will need to stand out to support users with poor sight.  

8. Consider how the hardware or software would need to be designed to enable somebody who is deaf or who has a hearing impairment to do each task? 

The smartphone will need to be designed suitably with subtitles for users who are deaf any application or feature with sound will need subtitles to describe what is happening for deaf users. All sound features will need to be translated to text to allow deaf users to effectively use the smartphone.  

9. Consider how the hardware or software would need to be designed to enable somebody who is deaf-blind to do each task? 

The smartphone will need be designed with a refreshable braille device to allow users who are deaf and blind use a smartphone. This device allows users who are blind and deaf to read text from the smartphone line by line. This is done by using the braille device that transfers a line of text to a braille form, allowing users to read the text by using their sense of touch and feel.  

10. Consider how the hardware or software would need to be designed to enable somebody who has a physical impairment to do each task (Note - a physical impairment may affect their dexterity and motor skills of their hands or of their face so they may not be able to type or they may not be able to speak)? 

The smartphone will need to be designed with touchscreen feature to allow users who have poor mobility to use and interact with the smartphone.  

11. Consider how the hardware or software would need to be designed to enable somebody who has a cognitive impairment to do each task (Note – consider a range of cognitive impairments from mild to severe (A person with dyslexia might just require a spell checker whilst a person with a learning disability might require the mobile phone to be set up for shared use so a carer or friend can ensure safe use))? 

The smartphone will need to be designed with spell check and auto correction for text input for users who have dyslexia. This will help users to send messages to other users suitably. The smartphone can be shared between multiple users to help a user that has learning disability, this will support the user in need.  

12. Consider how the hardware or software would need to be designed to enable somebody who has multiple impairments to do each task? 

The smartphone will need to be design which is user-friendly. For user’s with dyslexia and learning disability will need support from another user which will monitor the use of the device as well as help use the smartphone effectively.  

1)  The smartphone will need be designed with a refreshable braille device to allow users who are deaf and blind use a smartphone. This device allows users who are blind and deaf to read text from the smartphone line by line. This is done by using the braille device that transfers a line of text to a braille form, allowing users to read the text by using their sense of touch and feel. 

2) The smartphone will need to be designed with a voice recognition system to allow users who are blind to interact and manage their smartphone. The smartphone will need to have a built-in system on which anything the blind person touches on the screen it will respond with a voice over answer. This will benefit them hugely to interact with various apps within the smartphone. Users who are have poor sight will need all text and application adjusted in size to make it visible for them to interact. Furthermore, the layout on which the apps are positioned will need to be adjusted as well as the colour will need to stand out to support users with poor sight. 

3) The smartphone will need to be designed suitably with subtitles for users who are deaf any application or feature with sound will need subtitles to describe what is happening for deaf users. All sound features will need to be translated to text to allow deaf users to effectively use the smartphone. 

4) The smartphone will need to be design which is user-friendly. For user’s with dyslexia and learning disability will need support from another user which will monitor the use of the device as well as help use the smartphone effectively. 

5) The smartphone will need to be designed with touchscreen feature to allow users who have poor mobility to use and interact with the smartphone. 

6) The smartphone will need to be designed with spell check and auto correction for text input for users who have dyslexia. This will help users to send messages to other users suitably. The smartphone can be shared between multiple users to help a user that has learning disability, this will support the user in need. 

7) A user should know a page is secure before they input private information - a pop up box should appear notifying users that the website is secure for access and information can be given. This will support users who struggle to secure their device and don’t have much understanding about security. 

8) A user should be able to unlock smartphone- the correct security system should be set for the user to gain swift access to the smartphone. The specific security set must be user- friendly. This will help users who have difficulty accessing their smartphones as they should able to choose what security feature they want to use. 

9) A user should be able to send a text message to a friend. -  the touchscreen keypad should allow users to type a message to send to a friend however, the keypad will need to be designed with the characters being more visible as this can be done by adjusting the size and changing the colour of touchscreen keypad. 

10) A user should be able to select an item to buy. - the selection of an item to be purchased should be heighted suitably allowing the user to know that item has been selected for purchase. This design will benefit users who have poor sight as this will give them better understanding on which item they have selected for purchase.  

14. Write an explanation of why you selected your ten design rules. 

I have selected these ten designs features as they are the most useful and suitable to support users who are in need. Each design rule provide benefit to how they use or gain access to the device. I have mention five key words for this design which are security, select, input, access and search. These are the rules which must be followed to create a user-friendly smartphone for users who have difficulties.