The digital divide of the early internet is slowly but surely falling away. There are more alternative methods than ever before to bring online content to disabled users, and those methods are being implemented more diligently than ever. Below is a list of current options to expand website accessibility through alternative methodologies.
Voice
A certain percentage of people might experience negative effects, such as seizures or eye strain, from looking at a computer screen for an extended time. These people have the option of receiving information by phone, which is one of the more popular alternatives for those with visual impairments.
Fax
Receiving information by fax for a website is another option for people who cannot look at computer screens for extended periods or have other visual impairments. Fax is a good option for people who cannot receive information from a voice or text-to-speech methodology.
Relay Service
A general relay service, also known as a TRS or an IP relay, is an accessibility feature used by people who are visually impaired or fully blind. The relay service allows users to place telephone calls via an assistive device, including a computer keyboard, if necessary.
Captioning
Captions are used alongside audio descriptions to raise the accessibility of fast-moving videos. Individuals who have impaired hearing might need captions to keep up with the conversation in a video, especially if it is in another language. The size of the captions can be magnified to help those with visual impairments as well.
Text-to-Speech Synthesis
Visually impaired individuals have the option of having site content read out loud through a text to voice translator. Translators come in all major languages and in a variety of voices to fit the desires of the listener. Users can activate voice functions by hovering over text, by clicking, or by having the technology read the site text on load.
Audio Description
Audio description is another way to bring increase accessibility to people with visual impairments. The description is separate from the transcript that describes the most important visual content in the video, improving accessibility for people who are visually impaired or completely blind.
