The CDC (2023) defines a disability as any condition that can keep you from engaging in education, work, leisure activities, and day-to-day challenges. It can be temporary or something that is permanent and can range from a need for larger font or colored background when reading to mental or physical conditions that limit one’s ability to engage in our world in the way that an abled person can. Students are often hesitant to use the TAMUCC Disability Services because they feel their concerns do not call for asking for help, but it is important to let your instructors know if you need additional assistance and contact Disability Services if the situation warrants it.

It is estimated that one in six people globally have some form of disability that can limit their access or use of technology. In the past that meant that these people were less likely to use technology successfully, complete university degrees, or be successful in a field of their choosing; but that is changing.   “Digital inclusion helps everyone, especially those who are disadvantaged or historically excluded, to have the access and skills to fully participate in the digital world (Interactive Design Foundation, 2024).”

I encourage you to look through and use the resources below. I often use the Immersive Reader function under View, in Office 365. My eyes aren’t what they used to be, and if I am doing a close edit, or trying to review a large amount of text, I will often listen to it and make notes as I listen before returning to the document. The Dictate and Narrate features allow for text-to-speech, and I use it when brainstorming, but it can be used instead of typing, if you go back and edit the work.

Windows Accessibility Features Links:

Windows 11 Accessibility Features | Microsoft

How to Set Up Accessibility Options on Windows 11 (makeuseof.com)

Windows keyboard shortcuts for accessibility – Microsoft Support

MAC Accessibility Feature Links:

Get started with accessibility features on Mac – Apple Support

Quickly turn accessibility features on or off on Mac – Apple Support (ME)

Inclusion Extension Software and Applications:

While there is a push to make software and websites more inclusive, there are programs out there that can increase the accessibility of most technologies and even add features to help with everything from readability to time management.

Helperbird is currently one of the more prominent programs that embeds its accessibility features into multiple browsers, apps and utilities. It can be used on MAC or PC, and has more functionality than the built-in features of either MAC or PC operating system and can help with:

• Basic Writing tools
• Basic Reading tools
• Basic Accessibility tools
• Basic Text to Speech
• Dyslexia support
• Translation tools
• Immersive Reader

CC LICENSED CONTENT INCLUDED

Disability Inclusion as a Cornerstone for Health Equity | Health Equity Features | CDC. (2023, September 20). Www.cdc.gov. https://www.cdc.gov/healthequity/features/disability-inclusion/index.html#print

Interaction Design Foundation. (2024, March 2). What is Digital Inclusion? — updated 2024. The Interaction Design Foundation. https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/digital-inclusion