• [00:00:03] Welcome back. In our last lesson, we tackled some of the biggest myths about

    [00:00:10] accessibility.

    [00:00:10] Now that we've cleared the air, it is time to get practical.

    [00:00:14] , In this lesson, we're going to be focusing on assistive technologies,

    [00:00:17] The tools that many people rely on every day to interact with digital products, From screen readers to eye tracking,

    [00:00:25] these technologies are not just helpful, they're essential and a lifeline for many users.

    [00:00:32] As designers, we need to understand what these tools do. How people use them and what that means for our designs.

    What are assistive technologies, assisted technologies or ATS help people navigate digital content.

    [00:00:48] Let's take a look at the most common ones, screen readers. These are usually used by people who are blind or visually impaired.

    [00:00:56] And they use softwares such as JAWs, and maybesometimes voiceover.

    [00:01:00] These technologies read page content using keyboard navigation. And depend heavily on sematic HTML

    [00:01:10] to understand structure like headings , lists, links, and landmarks.

    [00:01:15] Alternative input devices. These are for users with motor

    [00:01:20] impairments , and these include things like eye tracking, software switch controls,

    [00:01:24] and Sip and Puff devices.

    [00:01:27] These tools replace the need for a traditional mouse and keyboard.

    [00:01:30] Screen. Magnifiers.

    [00:01:32] Tools like Zoom texts are used by people with low vision.

    [00:01:36] They magnify specific areas on screens

    [00:01:39] and rely on good text scaling contrast, and a consistent layout to be usable. Close captions and subtitles. Vital for deaf people or hard of hearing [00:01:50] Captions need to be accurate,

    [00:01:51] synchronised and preferably descriptive, such as door slams. or laughter voice recognition software

    [00:01:58] tools like Dragon Naturally speaking allows users with mobility issues to control devices with their voice. From browsing the web to composing emails,

    [00:02:09] text to [00:02:10] speech, helps users with dyslexia. ADHD , autism language processing issues. They also help with reading, writing, and communication, and

    [00:02:20] often used in combination with other assisted technologies.

    [00:02:23] So how do these technologies work?

    [00:02:25] Understanding how is just as important as what, so here's what's [

    00:02:30] happening behind the scenes. Keyboard navigation. Many users don't use a mouse at all.

    [00:02:35] they rely on tab shift and enter, and the arrow

    [00:02:40] keys to navigate a website.

    [00:02:42] That's why focus indicators and logical tab orders or skip links are crucial. semantic

    [0:02:50] HTML. Screen readers use code structure to interpret content. That means head ins, lists, landmarks, and all

    [00:03:00] text to images. If it's not structured properly, users miss out entirely.

    [00:03:05] Customisable settings.

    [00:03:07] Many assisted technologies allow

    [00:03:10] users to change colour contrasts or change themes, adjust font sizes or spacing, and set their preferences for reading, voice and speed.

    [00:03:19] Good UX

    [00:03:20] means letting users personalise

    [00:03:22] and making sure that your designs don't break when they do.

    [00:03:26] It is important to remember that many users may use [00:03:30] multiple tools at once,

    [00:03:31] so somebody may be using a screen reader and a voice control or a magnifier and text to speech.

    [00:03:39] So

    [00:03:40] designing accessible technologies means reducing cognitive load, supporting personalisation, and ensure things still work together

    [00:03:48] So, let's bring this to [ life.

    [00:03:50] A blind user navigates a website with a keyboard and a screen reader relying on headphones for And labels to understand

    [00:04:00] structure. A motor impaired user might use voice commands to open apps,

    [00:04:04] click buttons, or scroll through a page. A deaf user benefits from accurate

    [00:04:10] subtitles. On videos and clear visual cues for alerts. These are real people in real situations and your design

    [00:04:20] directly impacts their abilities to participate.

    [00:04:23] . Effective design for assistive tech supports a variety of disabilities and enhances

    [00:04:30] everyone's experience.

    [00:04:31] The key takeaways here are to understand how assistive technologies work. Test with real users whenever you can, and design with

    [00:04:40] inclusion in mind.

    [00:04:41] Assistive technologies are not edge cases.

    [00:04:45] They are how millions of people use the web every single day.

    [00:04:49] And as designers, we have the power and responsibility to make sure that experience is seamless, respectful, and empowering.

    [00:04:59] Congratulations. You've just finished the first section of this course, so great job. Now we're heading into section two, as we'll get a more practical look at these concepts in

    [00:05:10] action. Up next is, what is accessibility?