Document accessibility - Print disabilities and assistive technology

Many print-disabled readers rely on assistive technology and read documents in other non-traditional ways.

Overview

People with print disabilities often read in non-traditional ways and may have difficulty reading printed material. Some people are completely unable to read print. Many people with print disabilities rely on assistive technologies to read, such as: 

  • screen magnification software, which enlarges text on the device's screen
  • screen readers, which read documents aloud and offer full keyboard control of the device
  • braille displays, which use moveable pins to show the text in the shape of braille characters 

Assistive technology

Assistive technology is any technology that facilitates a disabled person's autonomous and effective engagement with information, learning, employment, entertainment or the physical or social environment.
 

Screen readers

Braille displays