For my master’s work, I have been using my personal desktop computer, which is a HP Envy that works on the Windows 10 platform. There are many built-in accessibility features on my computer. I have listed these below with a short description of each and how these features could help students with disabilities.
Magnifier – This a tool that allows the user to magnify parts or all of the screen in order to see it better. This feature would be especially helpful to students with a sensory disability such as loss of vision. If the students still has some vision, which is considered partially sighted, he or she would be able to use this feature in order to magnify parts or all of the screen to be able to see it more clearly.
Narrator – This a tool that will again be wonderful for someone who is partially sighted or blind. This feature has a voice that tells you exactly what is on each screen and what you are doing on that screen.
Speech Recognition – This tool allows the user to speak directly into the computer to control the computer, open programs, and even dictate text. This again would be a great feature for students with sensory disabilities and also for students with cognitive disabilities. Since students with cognitive disabilities have some learning difficulties using some kind of productivity software would be helpful (Robyler, 2016). Being able to speak directly to the computer to type for instance would help these students be able to produce their work with more ease, focusing more on the word usage and grammar. This would also benefit those students with physical disabilities. If it is difficult for a student to physically move the mouse or type on the keyboard, this feature would allow them to still fully use a computer by simply speaking the commands.
High Contrast – This feature allows the user to change the contrast colors to different themes. This allows those with sensory disabilities, mainly visual impairments, to adjust the color on their screen, making it easier to see.
Closed Captions – This feature allows the student to turn on closed captioning and adjust how they appear. You can change the color of the text, the size of the text, the style and transparency, the background color and transparency, and the window color and transparency. This feature would not only benefit students with sensory disabilities such as loss of hearing, but also students with cognitive disabilities. If a students struggles with reading comprehension, he or she could use this feature to help them better understand something they are reading on the computer.
Robyler discusses in his text, Integrating Technology Across the Curriculum, how important inclusion has become since the Disabilities Education Act was authorized in 1990. This law states that children with disabilities should be included in the education with children who are non-disabled and should only be removed from the regular education when their disability requires more attention than can be given in the regular class (Robyler, 2016). This is only one reason, yet a large reason, why it is so important to give EVERY child, whether they have a disability or not the access to ALL technology. This is where accessibility features come into play and are crucial.
References
Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A. (2013). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching. Boston: Pearson.
Meagan Dye: EDTECH Learning Log 
Hi Meagan
I was interested to read your post as you have a Windows computer and I never use one. We have iMacs and iPads at home and I have an iMac in school. It seems that they have very similar features with slightly different names. Did you find it easy to use and start the features or was it a bit of a learning curve.
Once aspect that the Mac had which I was impressed with was a Braille generator built in. I had no idea it was there. I really liked your final statement about every child. They is the whole point of inclusiveness in education and hopefully once day society. Well said.
A
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