Users with special needs may have to interact with computer hardware and software, as well as input and output, in different ways. Users with vision loss may need adaptive software to access information that they are unable to read on a screen. Users with limited mobility may use an adapted keyboard to navigate the web. The following is a list of commonly used adaptive technologies.

1. Screen readers:
   Screen readers allow users with vision loss to access web page text. Text is read out by a voice synthesizer. Tab or Shift-Tab allows navigation through the links on a web page. Note: If you are using a screen reader to access your WebCT course, you must change a course setting before you can add or edit course content using the wizards in the Course Design Center. For more information, see the Help topic, Disabling Dynamic HTML in Wizards.

    

2. Screen magnifiers:
   Screen magnification systems enlarge portions of the screen to allow users with vision loss to access computer-based materials.

    

3. Alternative keyboards:
   These keyboards offer larger or smaller target areas for users with loss of gross or fine motor control. They may be switched to mouse emulation mode so that the arrow keys or numeric keypad of the same keyboard are used for mouse movements.

    

4. On-screen keyboards:
   This software allows users to enter text and select buttons that emulate menu functions on the monitor. Users have a pointing device or a switch to select buttons.

    

5. Voice recognition:
   Users speak into a microphone to navigate software applications, surf the web, and input text. Commands correlating to macro sequences may be created to customize usage for specific software or frequent tasks. Mouse control may incorporate a grid system.