Computer Access for ALL Students and OS System Features That Allows Flexibility

As computer technology continues to grow, students with disabilities are able to access computers more independently. The flexibility of computers is virtually endless, especially with available features such as adaptive keyboards, mice and applications that can now be used as assistive technology. Computers can accommodate students with low motor abilities and both right and left handed users. For students who have impaired vision, icons can be made larger, contrast and brightness can be increased etc. In the book Assistive Technology in the Classroom, there is a chart that describes the flexibility in use of computers for students with disabilities. The chart is listed for you here:

As you can see in the chart, there are built in features of most computers, therefore it does not require extra resources or money to create accomodations. The computer is flexible for students have deficits in fine motor skills, limited range of motion, vision difficulties, hard time tracking and scanning, reading disabilities, and issues with visual perception. The computer programs also help students who have dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other moderate learning disabilities.

Reference: 

Dell, A., Newton, D., & Petroff, J. (2012). Assistive Technology in the Classroom. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.