Level Access: Tools for Website Accessibility
Author: Thomas C. Weiss
Published: 2012/06/17 - Updated: 2024/01/02
Publication Type: Instructive / Helpful
Topic: Electronics and Software - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Level Access is a creative and innovative means of providing people with disabilities with the tools they require to connect through the Internet.
• Level Access includes a page reading system for people with reading difficulties.
• In addition alternative input methods assist people in overcoming physical limitations and accessing the Internet and websites.
Introduction
NOTE: eSSENTIAL Accessibility is now rebranded as Level Access.
Visitors can now download Level Access Accessibility Tools, no modification of the website is required, there is no need for IT maintenance, there is no system integration, and there are no security issues that need managing. All the functionality is client-based and updates are hosted on the servers for Level Access.
Main Item
Leading organizations that value diversity view inclusiveness as a key strategic advantage, and Level Access can give organizations additional strengths in this regard. Purpose-driven organizations know that building websites with the highest accessibility standards, including offering assistive technology, is vital to connecting with more customers, people, stakeholders, and partners.
Displaying the interactive Level Access icon on a website informs visitors that you have included people with disabilities in your planning and that they have access to a suite of tools to help them navigate your site and the Web. Level Access offers assistive technology suitable for people who experience reading difficulties or dexterity challenges related to several conditions. These conditions may include the following:
- Arthritis
- Dyslexia
- Cerebral Palsy
- Stroke/paralysis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson's disease
- Age-related factors
- Learning disabilities
- Literary deficiencies
- Mild visual impairment
- Limited English proficiency
Features
The features available through Level Access include an array of mouse and keyboard replacement solutions, also referred to as 'alternative input methods,' that can help people to overcome physical limitations and access your website and the Web. These features include the following:
- XY Mouse
- Auto-Click
- Auto-Scan
- Radar Mouse
- Manual Scan
- Direction Mouse
- Hands-Free Tracking System
- Onscreen Keyboard
Level Access also includes a page reading system for people with reading difficulties. The feature can be set to read the titles of frames or the content of frames, the content of any web page, or the links of any open web page out loud. It is also fully compatible with Microsoft Speech Recognition 6.1 or greater. Level Access has a fully customizable toolbar, features multi-language and multi-user capability, is fully compatible with SAPI 4 and 5, and has a Live-Update system.
Computer System Requirements
People can install Level Access on any computer running Microsoft Windows XP Professional, Microsoft Media Center 2005, Vista, or later with the following minimum hardware requirements:
- 20 MB of free space on hard drive
- 256 MB RAM (512 MB or more recommended)
- Text-to-speech (TTS) engine (optional for page reading)
- Webcam (optional for hands-free operation/RGB or I420 format)
- Processor Pentium III, 600 MHz or better (Pentium IV or better recommended)
Author Credentials: Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses earning a Masters, Bachelors and two Associate degrees, as well as pursing Disability Studies. As a Nursing Assistant Thomas has assisted people from a variety of racial, religious, gender, class, and age groups by providing care for people with all forms of disabilities from Multiple Sclerosis to Parkinson's; para and quadriplegia to Spina Bifida. Explore Thomas' complete biography for comprehensive insights into his background, expertise, and accomplishments.