[PGA and Cloud for All] How Windows 8 does accessibility options

[Jonathan Hung]

I have posted images of the steps used in the accessibility wizard to the
Cloud for All space on the Fluid Wiki. You can find it here:
http://wiki.fluidproject.org/display/fluid/Competitive+Analysis+-+Windows+8+Ease+of+Access+Center

- Jon.

On Mon, Mar 18, 2013 at 9:36 PM, Jonathan Hung <jhung at ocadu.ca> wrote:

> Hi everyone,
>
> I came across the accessibility control panel in Windows 8 and Microsoft
> has done something interesting which has some relevance to Cloud for All
> and Preferences for Global Access projects.
>
> Attached to this email are 4 images which depict various states of the
> Windows 8 Ease of Access Center - the tool which users run to configure
> their accessibility options. Through this tool the user can enable various
> tools like the screen magnifier, on-screen keyboard, and contrast themes.
>
> The attached file *Windows8-AccessibilityOptions.png* shows the initial
> screen for the Windows 8 Ease of Access Center. The user can choose from
> options like "Use the computer without a display" or "Make the mouse easier
> to use". What is interesting is that after an interval of no activity, the
> system will begin scanning and narrating the options within the "Quick
> access to common tools" group, thus allowing non-sighted users through the
> door.
>
> Choosing one of the options on this main page will take the user to a new
> screen where they can adjust settings related to that accessibility need.
> For example in the attached image *Windows8-AccessibilityOptions-2.png*,
> selecting the "Make the computer easier to see" option will display a
> rather dense window of options including enabling a high contrast theme,
> turning on narration, and enabling the screen magnifier.
>
> There is also a wizard which activates when the user selects "Get
> recommendations to make your computer easier to use". The user is then
> guided through a 5 step process where the user selects check boxes next to
> statements that are applicable to their context. For example in the
> attached image *Windows8-Accessibility-Wizard.png*, the user checks or
> leaves unchecked the following statements:
>
>
>    - "Images and text on TV are difficult to see."
>    - "Lighting conditions make it difficult to see images on my monitor."
>    - "I am blind."
>    - "I have another type of vision impairment."
>
> Based on the answers given to the wizard, Windows 8 would then give a
> single window of all recommended settings. The user then has the
> opportunity to enable or disable any settings before applying. For example
> in the attached image *Windows8-Accessibility-Wizard-Recommendations.png* the
> wizard has suggested the narrator, magnifier, sticky keys, and a few other
> options.
>
> I'm not holding Windows 8 Ease of Access Center up as the best example,
> but they do address a few key issues relevant to our projects such as
> getting users through the door (with the delayed narration), and
> simplifying configuration through a wizard.
>
> If people want more details about the accessibility tool in Windows 8, I
> can upload more images to the Fluid Project wiki and give further
> descriptions. Just let me know.
>
> Cheers,
>
> - Jon.
>
> --
>
> *JONATHAN HUNG*
>
> INCLUSIVE DESIGNER, IDRC****
>
> ** **
>
> *T:* 416 977 6000 x3951****
>
> *F:* 416 977 9844****
>
> *E:* jhung at ocadu.ca****
>
> ** **
>
> *OCAD UNIVERSITY*****
>
> Inclusive Design Research Centre****
>
> 205 Richmond Street W, Toronto, ON, M5V 1V3****
>
> ** **
>
> www.ocadu.ca****
>
> www.idrc.ocad.ca
>



-- 

*JONATHAN HUNG*

INCLUSIVE DESIGNER, IDRC****

** **

*T:* 416 977 6000 x3951****

*F:* 416 977 9844****

*E:* jhung at ocadu.ca****

** **

*OCAD UNIVERSITY*****

Inclusive Design Research Centre****

205 Richmond Street W, Toronto, ON, M5V 1V3****

** **

www.ocadu.ca****

www.idrc.ocad.ca
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