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Special Needs Glossary

When discussing special needs and computers, there are a wide variety of words which must be understood before certain topics can be successfully discussed. Below is a very short list of some of these terms, most of which are related to technological terms.  

Links List

Some technologies and Web browsers have the ability to present all of the Web links in a separate page or window. These windows are called "links lists." These lists are important for users who are using screen readers.  

Mouse Grid Navigation

Mouse grid navigation is used by people who cannot operate a mouse or keyboard. The software uses voice recognition technology. The mouse grid function places a nine-square grid on the screen, and the user can choose which number in the grid they want the cursor to move towards. The grid then scales down to the size of the chosen numbered square, and this is done over and over again until the mouse is in the correct spot on the page.  

Screen Reader

"Screen Reader" is the common term used to describe text-to-speech technology. Currently, two of the most popular types of software available are Jaws for Windows and Window Eyes. The programs produce sounds and words for the text that is seen on the screen, so that the screen is "read" to the user. This technology is useful for those who are blind as well as for those with impaired vision.  

Tabular Navigation

Tabular navigation refers to a method of navigating through a Web page by pressing the Tab key to go through all the links on a given page. Hopefully, each link has been sufficiently labeled, so that the user’s screen reading software can tell the user what each link is.  

Voice/Speech Recognition

Voice recognition is an exciting technology. It is a voice-to-text software application that can both recognize the words that are spoken as well as take dictation. The spoken words are digitized (or put into "computer speak") by the computer, and matched up with a coded dictionary that identifies the words.  

Most voice recognition software has to be "trained" to recognize all of the words that a user will speak when using the software. The user will speak the word, which is then recorded and saved for future use. There is some sophisticated software now available that requires voice samples, though not of every word.  

Some of the most advanced speech recognition software can recognize thousands of words. The software is useful for those who are unable to use keyboards.  

Dynamic Braille Display

This is a way for blind people or for those with impaired vision to read what’s on a computer screen. The Braille display is an electromechanical device that allows a blind person to read a computer screen one line at a time in the form of tiny pins that are lowered and raised to represent words and letters.  

There is a very large number of terms associated with computers and special needs, and these terms are only meant to give you a brief introduction to the topic. Be sure to go online for more information!