Google wants everyone to enjoy the Internet and take advantage of whatever technologies are available. Sadly, not all can use those gadgets or have access to technology for different reasons. Others simply have limited access or resources while some have disabilities. For the latter, we can only offer little help but Google wants to change the game by providing them tools that will allow them to access technology.
Someday, people hard of hearing, are visually impaired, or have motor restrictions, will be able to have quick access to devices as Google developers have started to work on making their technology accessible with different tools like the Accessibility Scanner, enhancements in Android N, better screen reader on Chromebooks, voice commands on Android, and voice-editing on documents.
The Accessibility Scanner helps devs to check if their apps are easily accessible. The tool can suggest to increase contrast of the background and text or make buttons bigger. When it comes to Android N, Google has added Vision Settings so users can change font size, display size, or adjust magnification.
Since Chromebooks are becoming more popular and more affordable than ever, Google is also improving on the technology by adding ChromeVox. It’s a built-in screen reader that helps those visually impaired with a text-to-speech software. Some enhancements to the new version include new navigation sounds, caption panel to display Braille and speech output, and a simplified keyboard shortcut model. Officially called as ChromeVox Next Beta, the service is obviously still in its testing phase.
Documents can now be edited using your voice. The usually typing, formatting, and editing can be done by using voice commands. Google partnered with Freedom Scientific to work on this particular feature that makes use of the JAWS screen reader.
More Android devices will also be able to follow voice commands with the Voice Access Beta app. Say “go home”, “click next”, “open Chrome”, or “scroll down” to navigate around the screen. App is also in beta mode but it should be ready for public release soon.
SOURCE: Official Google Blog
