Learning About Braille with Lego Braille Brick Kits

The LEGO® Braille Bricks is a play-based approach that teaches Braille to anyone using Lego bricks. LEGO® Braille Bricks have studs arranged to correspond to numbers and letters in Braille. Each brick shows the printed version of the symbol or letter inviting sighted and blind children to play and learn together. Lego provides resources for implementation and kits for free to educators.

Moving the Screen to Follow the Mouse Accessibility Feature of ChromeOS

The “Move Screen Continuously as Mouse Moves” option within the Full-Screen Magnifier feature of ChromeOS on a Chromebook is particularly beneficial for users of screen magnification to navigate more effectively. When enabled, it automatically moves the magnified area in the direction of the mouse cursor, creating a seamless and more intuitive navigation experience. This dynamic movement allows users to explore different parts of the screen without needing to constantly adjust the magnified area manually.

To access this feature, open the Settings on the ChromeOS device. Navigate to the ‘Advanced’ section and select ‘Accessibility.’ From there, choose ‘Manage Accessibility Features.’ Under the ‘Display and Magnification’ section, find the option for the Full-Screen Magnifier. Enable it, and then toggle on the ‘Move Screen Continuously as Mouse Moves’ feature. This unlocks a smoother and more accessible user interface, catering to those who use magnification to interact with their device effectively.Screenshot of the Display and Magnification Full-Screen Magnifier Feature

Inverting Colors on a Chromebook

Color inversion is a feature in the Display and Magnification Accessibility section of ChromeOS, designed to enhance the visual experience for users. This feature flips the colors of the display, turning light backgrounds to dark and dark text to light. It’s particularly beneficial for those with certain vision impairments, like light sensitivity or low vision, as it reduces glare and increases contrast, making it easier to read text and view images. Moreover, color inversion can be a boon for users working in low-light conditions or for prolonged periods, as it can reduce eye strain and improve overall comfort.

The feature is not just limited to aiding those with visual impairments. It also appeals to anyone preferring a darker interface for aesthetic or practical reasons. For instance, it’s ideal for users who find traditional bright screens disruptive in dark environments, such as individuals using the Chromebook at night. Additionally, some users simply find inverted colors less harsh, which can be helpful during extended use. ChromeOS’s color inversion feature exemplifies the operating system’s commitment to accessibility and user comfort, catering to a diverse range of needs and preferences.

To enable this feature click on the time located at the bottom-right corner of the screen to open the system menu. Then, select the gear icon to open the Settings menu. In Settings, navigate to the “Advanced” section and then click on “Accessibility.” Here, find the “Display and magnification” options. Within this menu, look for the “Color inversion” option and toggle it on.Screenshot of the Color Inversion Feature

Using Heading Structure to Support Accurate Screen Reading Video

Office of Civil Rights LogoThe U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This short video describes how to use heading structure on a web page or other digital file so everyone can accurately navigate the material.

Testing When The Screen is Magnified Video

Office of Civil Rights LogoThe U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This short video explores different experiences users might have when attempting to enlarge web content based on how the material is designed.

Formatting Tables With Accessibility in Mind

Office of Civil Rights LogoThe U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This short video describes how to appropriately format table content to ensure everyone can access the data.

The Importance of Color Contrast Video

Office of Civil Rights LogoThe U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This short video describe the significance of using contrasting colors when conveying information and how to check for adequate contrast.

Limitations of Using Color Alone To Convey Information Video

Office of Civil Rights LogoThe U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This short video shares the limitations of using color alone to convey information and provides suggestions about how content can be created to provide multiple ways to share the same information.

The Importance of Alternative Text Video

Office of Civil Rights LogoThe U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This short video shares why alternative text is important for those who cannot see photographs and graphic images.

Logical Reading Order Video

Office of Civil Rights LogoThe U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights provides a video series on a variety of topics related to digital access in education, including how people with disabilities use technology along with identifying and remediating barriers to access. This short video shares what can go wrong when web pages don’t follow a logical reading order for people who rely on keyboard navigation and screen readers.