Tag: Accessibility

Shin’s journey hasn’t been an easy one, but thanks to his parents lobbying a local education board – which once suggested Shin go to a special needs school – he has always been studying at regular schools.

Since elementary school, he studied with the help of computer software, such as Microsoft Word and OneNote. He uses a small, special mouse to draw graphs.

“By using Windows’ on-screen keyboard and moving the mouse, I can use my PC for study and communicating with my friends,” he explained.

Since 2013, Microsoft has assisted his learning, including preparation for the tough university entrance exam, by providing IT tools, such as the on-screen keyboard and a cursor control system that uses eye movements.

“I have faced lots of challenges like everyone else, but we often need help too,” Shin said. “I’m currently trialing the new eye tracking software that enables me to move the mouse cursor with my eyes. This is one more example of how technology will help people like me work more efficiently.”

“My dream is that one day these kinds of functions will not be listed under accessibility but will be an integral part of how we all work to make a better future,” he added.

In 2016, Shin successfully passed the entrance exam for Tokyo University after spending a year at a preparatory school together with other students who aimed to enter the country’s competitive universities.

Now as a university student, Shin continues to study on his electric stretcher with assistance and support from helpers and the school. Since April this year, he lives on his own with assistance when he needs to move.

The entrance exam for Tokyo University is one of Japan’s most competitive assessments. Before the exams, Shin submitted a request to the exam authority, the National Center for University Entrance Examinations, notifying them that his physical condition required more attention.

During the exam, Shin sat in a separate room with more time to take the paper, and was assigned an assistant to write down his answers. Shin was also allowed to use a computer, especially when an answer required a graph.

Shin’s favorite quote by Friedrich Nietzsche, the philosopher he admires, is “Man is something that shall be overcome.” The feisty student is often led by these words when reflecting his own physical disability.

“I believe that we need a new inclusive philosophical framework because technology is now empowering people to become independent beyond any physical barriers,” he says.

Learning from those with disabilities to improve their opportunities

One of those working with people with disabilities, such as Shin, is Microsoft Japan employee Tomoko Ohshima.

Gathering their comments, requests and feedback, she passes those to the tech giant’s developers to create tools to help people with disabilities.

Ohshima was encouraged to take on this project by Microsoft Japan some ten years ago, inspired by her interactions with a colleague, a programmer who is blind. “Technology is so helpful for people!” she says.

Meanwhile, Japan’s entrance exam system is also improving to accommodate students with various disabilities. A consensus has been established to allow students with disabilities to use tools approved by the authorities, such as computers, and to extend the test time depending on each student’s condition. Ohshima’s commitment of the last ten years coincides with this improvement, and has allowed her to witness the transition.

Challenges still remain for students with disabilities. For example, having a computer read out exam questions is rarely permitted in Japan. Instead, a reader is assigned to read the questions aloud for the examinee. This does not always work well for the students –– some students might want to read important parts more slowly, and others might want to have questions read out repeatedly to better understand them.

One of the reasons computer reading has not been approved is because examiners need to create extra exam papers by digitalizing them. This may be avoidable with optical character recognition (OCR).

“We are willing to provide any useful help and technology to create a society in which anyone can have the opportunity to take the entrance exams and be judged fairly regardless of one’s physical condition,” says Ohshima.

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To read more about Microsoft Philanthropies’ work to build future ready generations in Asia, click here.

Improving experiences for all our customers is something that we obsess over. We know that advancements in technology and inclusive design can help unlock solutions that empower people with disabilities. We also recognize the need to work together — across the industry — to ensure that no one is left behind.

That is why Microsoft collaborated with Apple and industry organizations to develop an USB-IF Human Interface Design (HID) standard for braille displays. Announced by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) today, the standard will enable plug and play support for braille displays and has received broad support from the tech industry, assistive technology (AT) companies and non-governmental organizations advocating for people who are blind or have low vision.

“Braille is the key to literacy, education, employment and success for blind people all over the world,” said Mark Riccobono, president of the National Federation of the Blind. “An HID standard that allows the seamless integration of refreshable braille displays across devices will make it easier for braille readers to use this critical tool at home, at school, on the job or on the go. The National Federation of the Blind is proud to be a partner in collaboration across technology companies to make braille a game changing priority in the twenty-first century.”

By working together across companies, technologies and devices, we can advance technology for people with disabilities and create a consistent approach for AT providers. The result of HID standardization will improve braille display implementation, decrease costs and time to market, and ultimately empower people who are blind and have low vision. This will simplify development, removing the need for braille devices to have custom software and drivers created for a particular operating system or screen reader. We anticipate support for the standard starting in 2019.

Braille is a critical component for literacy, education and employment for people who are blind or have low vision. The USB-IF HID standard for braille displays has received broad industry support, underscoring the need for plug and play support. Members of the USB-IF HID Working Group include Microsoft, Apple and Google. We have also seen support from organizations like the National Federation of the Blind and Vision Australia, in addition to AT companies like Help Tech GmbH, Baum, HumanWare, Orbit, Bristol Braille, Dolphin Computer Access, Freedom Scientific and NV Access.

“Just like most sighted people, our SuperNova users regularly switch between using their Windows PC and their iPhone. Effortlessly moving your braille display between those devices will be a hugely popular move for our customers,” said Mike Hill, Technical Director, Dolphin Computer Access.

The World Health Organization estimates that 253 million people have a form of visual impairment. Technology can play an important role in creating opportunities for people who are blind or have low vision, and we have the responsibility to help create a level playing field for everyone. We also live in a modern world where customers expect technology to work out of the box, across devices and platforms.

“The ability to quickly and easily connect braille displays to a range of devices at home, at school and in the workplace will be of great benefit to users, especially those who use their devices across several different platforms,” said Damian McMorrow, access technology product owner, Vision Australia.

We know that technology can help unlock barriers for people, and braille is a critical form of communication for many people around the world, whether at home or at work. The new standard is another example of how we can work together to create opportunities for more people and, ultimately, help improve the unemployment rate for people with disabilities.

Together, we can work to create a more inclusive world.