100 points to know about...
Digital accessibility

Speech Input Software

Speech input software provides people who have troubles typing an alternate way to type text and control the computer. Users can give the system some commands to perform mouse actions.

Examples of speech input software : Dragon Naturally Speaking for Windows or Mac. Please note both Windows and Mac have some speech recognition utilities, but they cannot be used to browse the web. / LilySpeech recognition (open-source)

For a better understanding of speech input softwares, here is a demo of the open-source software LilySpeech

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XwmmyWu3svM [/youtube]

Alternative input devices

Some users may not be able to use a mouse or keyboard to work on a computer. These people can use various forms of devices, such as:

• Head pointers

A head pointer is a stick or object mounted directly on the user’s head, which can be used by people who have no use of their hands. It can be used to push keys on the keyboard.

• Head Pointing systems

Head Pointing systems allow the movement of the mouse pointer to be controlled by voluntary head movements. They usually comprise a special camera which sits on monitor or laptop screen. Small reflective dots are placed on the user's forehead, glasses or finger. There can be a software which changes head movements into mouse movements and handles button clicking.

This demo of the macOS 10.15.4 Head Pointer is an example of how head pointing systems work :

• Motion tracking or eye tracking : This can include devices that watch a target or even the eyes of the user to interpret where the user wants to place the mouse pointer and moves it for the user.

• Single switch entry devices : These kinds of devices can be used with other alternative input devices or by themselves. These are typically used with on-screen keyboards. The on-screen keyboard has a cursor move across the keys, and when the key the user wants is in focus, the user will click the switch. This can also work on a webpage: the cursor can move through the webpage, and if the user wants a to click on a link or button when that link or button is in focus, the user can activate the switch.

Keyboard-only navigation

Most of these pointing devices rely on keyboard-only navigation features to perform mouse/pointer functions. What is keyboard navigation ? This term refers to using keys instead of a mouse to move from item to item on the screen. The movement must be in a meaningful order specified by the operating system or the application, and the place where the cursor is located must be visible.
Typical keys used for keyboard navigation are the Tab key and Shift+Tab to move between controls, as well as arrow keys to move up, down, and sideways between items.

Keyboard navigation is essential for some assistive technologies and requires compliance with design and development accessibility criteria.