Assistive Technology

Assistive technologies are tools that are available for those in need of something to make using technology easier and adaptable to their abilities. Such tools allow for students to use technology despite any special needs or disablities they may have. All sorts of tools are available depending on the need. Windows Vista includes several assisitive technologies such as special mouse properties, different magnifiers, assistive keyboard properties, speech recognition and narrator features.

The Speech Recognition tool allows a user to hook up a microphone to their computer and control their computer by voice. This would be beneficial for those who may have very limited motion and are incapable of controlling a computer with their mouse and keyboard.

The On-Screen Keyboard feature allows people to type by using the mouse or another point-and-click device. A tool such as this would be beneficial for students who have difficulty using their fingers to type on a keyboard.


The Narrator tool reads aloud the text on the screen. It also has the option to read whatever keys the computer user is pressing. This tool would be especially beneficial for those who struggle with reading and spelling, or for those with some sort of visual impairment that would make reading on a computer screen difficult.