CPACC Assistive Technologies and Strategies 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is a refreshable braille display and how does it work?
- A device that prints braille characters on paper
- An electromechanical device that raises and lowers pins to display braille characters dynamically from digital content (Correct answer)
- A screen that displays visual braille characters for sighted readers
- A mobile app that converts images of braille into text
Correct answer: An electromechanical device that raises and lowers pins to display braille characters dynamically from digital content
A refreshable braille display uses small pins that raise and lower electronically to form braille characters in real-time.
Refreshable braille displays use piezoelectric elements to raise and lower pins forming braille characters. Common models include Focus 40 Blue, HumanWare Brailliant, and Orbit Reader 20. These are essential for deafblind individuals and preferred by many braille-literate blind users.
Question 2: What is the primary function of voice recognition software like Dragon NaturallySpeaking in accessibility?
- To translate speech into different languages
- To allow users with motor disabilities to control a computer and create text using voice commands (Correct answer)
- To read web content aloud to blind users
- To record meetings for later transcription
Correct answer: To allow users with motor disabilities to control a computer and create text using voice commands
Voice recognition software enables people with motor disabilities to operate computers and dictate text entirely through spoken commands.
Voice recognition allows users to control computers entirely through voice, critical for people with motor disabilities, quadriplegia, or repetitive strain injuries. For web accessibility, interactive elements must have visible labels matching accessible names (WCAG SC 2.5.3).
Question 3: What is a switch device and who primarily uses it?
- A network switch used for connecting computers
- An input device activated by physical movement that enables computer control for people with severe motor limitations (Correct answer)
- A toggle switch on websites that enables dark mode
- A device that switches between different screen reader voices
Correct answer: An input device activated by physical movement that enables computer control for people with severe motor limitations
Switch devices are simple input mechanisms that can be activated by almost any reliable movement, enabling people with severe motor disabilities to operate computers.
Switches can be activated by pressing with a hand, foot, or head, sipping or puffing into a tube, blinking, or moving a muscle. They work with scanning interfaces. Switch access is built into iOS, Android, and desktop operating systems. All functionality must work with sequential keyboard navigation.
Question 4: How does a screen reader interact with web content?
- It takes a screenshot and describes the visual layout
- It reads the HTML DOM and accessibility tree to announce content, structure, and interactive elements through speech or braille (Correct answer)
- It magnifies text on screen so users can read it more easily
- It translates web content into simplified language
Correct answer: It reads the HTML DOM and accessibility tree to announce content, structure, and interactive elements through speech or braille
Screen readers access the browser's accessibility tree to present content structure, text, and interactive elements through speech or braille output.
The browser parses HTML into the DOM, applies ARIA attributes, and builds an accessibility tree exposing roles, names, states, and relationships. The OS accessibility API bridges the screen reader and browser. This is why semantic HTML and proper ARIA are fundamental.
Question 5: What is the purpose of a closed captioning decoder?
- To encrypt video content for copyright protection
- To display text representation of audio content on video for people who are deaf or hard of hearing (Correct answer)
- To translate video content between languages
- To compress video files for faster streaming
Correct answer: To display text representation of audio content on video for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
Closed captioning decoders render caption data embedded in video signals as visible text for deaf and hard of hearing viewers.
Unlike open captions (permanently burned in), closed captions can be toggled on/off. The CVAA (2010) extended captioning requirements to online video. Modern captions support positioning, styling, and speaker identification.
Question 6: What is the role of text-to-speech (TTS) technology in accessibility?
- To convert printed braille into digital text
- To convert written text into synthesized audio output, benefiting users with visual impairments, dyslexia, and literacy challenges (Correct answer)
- To transcribe spoken language into written text documents
- To translate text from one language to another in real-time
Correct answer: To convert written text into synthesized audio output, benefiting users with visual impairments, dyslexia, and literacy challenges
TTS converts digital text into spoken audio, making written content accessible to people who cannot read or see text.
TTS benefits people with dyslexia, visual impairments, cognitive disabilities, language learners, and those in situational limitations. Built-in TTS includes Windows Narrator, macOS Speak Selection, iOS Speak Screen, and Android Select to Speak.
CPACC Assistive Technologies and Strategies 2
What is a refreshable braille display and how does it work?