Assistive technology

This chapter explains what assistive technology is and how it improves the lives of many people.

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Assistive technology – Windows

This chapter presents the accessibility features that come bundled with the Microsoft Windows operating system.

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Assistive technology – MacOS

In this chapter we discuss the accessibility features of the macOS operating system.

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• Related links:
  • List of punctuation characters on the Apple website (opens in a new tab)

Assistive technology – iOS

In this chapter we discuss the accessibility features of the iOS operating system.

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• Related links:
  • List of punctuation characters on the Apple website (opens in a new tab)

Assistive technology – Android

This chapter discuss the accessibility features that come bundled with the Android operating system.

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• Related links:
  • Android Accessibility Suite (opens in a new tab)
  • Google BrailleBack (opens in a new tab)
  • Google Live Transcribe (opens in a new tab)
  • Google Voice Access (opens in a new tab)
  • Google Sound Amplifier (opens in a new tab)

Screen readers

In this chapter we will introduce the main characteristics of screen readers.

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• Related links:
  • WebAim screen-reader user survey (opens in a new tab)

Screen readers – Windows

This chapter presents the screen readers using the Microsoft Windows operating system.

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• Related links:
  • Complete guide to Narrator (opens in a new tab)
  • NVDA screen reader (opens in a new tab)
  • NVDA screen reader user guide (opens in a new tab)
  • Other screen readers:
    • Dolphin Screen Reader by Dolphin (opens in a new tab)
    • System Access by Serotek (opens in a new tab)

Screen readers – MacOS

In this chapter we discuss VoiceOver, which is the screen reader built into the macOS operating system.

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• Related links:
  • VoiceOver user guide (opens in a new tab)

Screen readers – iOS

This chapter presents the VoiceOver screen reader for iOS.

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• Related links iPhone/iPad user guides:
  • iPhone manuals (opens in a new tab)
  • iPad manuals (opens in a new tab)
  • iPhone User Guide (opens in a new tab)
  • iPad User Guide (opens in a new tab)

Screen readers – Android

This chapter introduces the TalkBack screen reader for Android.

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• Related links:
  • Android Accessibility Suite (opens in a new tab)
  • Google BrailleBack (opens in a new tab)
  • Android User Guidesk (opens in a new tab)
  • Android accessibility overview (opens in a new tab)

Fonts, sizes and colours

The selection of a font can have a major influence on the readability of the publications. In this chapter we will review the characteristics of the different families of fonts.

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• Related links:
  • Colour Contrast Analyser (opens in a new tab)

Alternative text

An alternative text provides a textual alternative to images in electronic publications. This chapter shows how to design a good alternative text.

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Text transcripts, captions and sign language

These accessibility solutions are designed to support people with auditory impairments. This chapter presents their main characteristics.

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• Related links:
  • Demo video (opens in a new tab)

Plain language

This chapter explains the basic rules to create easy-to-read and easy-to-understand language.

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• Related links:
  • European standards on easy to read information (PDF) (opens in a new tab)
  • Example brochure "From institutions to community living" (FRA):
    • Original version (opens in a new tab)
    • Easy-to-read version (opens in a new tab)