How Different Users Use Computers

When we think about computers, we have always seen the similar common set up.  This setup often includes the following parts.

1. Screen to display output.
2. Keyboard and a mouse to provide input.
3. Speakers or Headphones for audio output.

Now, let’s take a moment to ask ourselves – do all computer users around the world use the computer in the same way? With the same set up as described!

Well, think about Late. Stephen Hawking – the renowned physicist. Mr. Hawking used powerful computer throughout his life – not only for work but for many of his day to day life activities, including speaking.  If we remember, he was a person with severe form of disability and except few of his muscles here and there, the functional capability of his body parts was extremely low. In such condition, did Mr. Hawking also used keyboard and mouse to use his computer.

Obviously, the answer is NO!

Mr. Hawking computer was designed according to his condition and contained different sets of input devices than traditional keyboard and mouse. These devices included:

• Sensor that converted his cheek muscular movement to computer commands.
• Joystick around his finger (like a ring), to control computer.

In this way, many people operate computer by using different assistive technology and in different ways based on their needs.

Let’s take a mobile as an example. Mobile is also a kind of computer, but we do not use mouse and keyboard for it. Instead, we do touch or swipe on the screen to operate the mobile.

Now, lets see how persons with different forms of impairment uses computer.

Persons with Visual Impairment

• Persons who are blind or have visual impairments might not need display screen or a mouse to use computer. They use keyboard to provide input and a screen reader software for getting output. A screen reader is a software that reads aloud everything a computer system generates.
• Some of them might use a device called Braille Sense or Braille Display for getting output, which converts all the generated output into braille. 
• Those who are not completely blind but have a low vision, uses a software called Magnifier, that magnifies everything on computer screen and make it easier for them to read.

Persons with Hearing Impairments.

• Persons who are completely deaf or have hearing difficulties need sign language, subtitle, captions and/or audio descriptions to access the audio or video content.

Person with Physical Disabilities

• Some persons lack either both hands, or functional capabilities of both hands. Those use computers with their feet.
• Some people with more severe forms of disability who can’t use their hand or feet, might use a device called Head Pointer in their head like a cap and use computer with the help of that device.

You might remember that, all these devices and technologies that helps persons with disabilities to access and use computer technologies are called – Assistive Technologies.

Summing Up

People use computer in a way that is comfortable for them. Users with disabilities also use computers like those without disabilities. However, some of them might use Assistive Technologies to do so.

Our objective in this course, is to learn to make documents that are accessible to all these users, regardless of how they access and use computer.