Micro Changes, Macro Results: The Benefits of Mainstream Product Modifications

Sometimes, the most effective assistive technology for computer use is based on features already built into mainstream software interfaces. Alan Cantor, a researcher and educator based in Toronto, Canada, has been advocating for this type of AT strategy at conferences around the world. His consistent experience is that this improves accessibility by increasing not only efficiency and accuracy when using a computer, but also user comfort and workplace competitiveness.

At the 2006 CSUN conference, Cantor presented the case study of “Joan,” a client with cerebral palsy whose use of a standard mouse resulted in severe back pain as well as a productivity level far below that of her colleagues. In addition to recommending workstation changes and AT equipment, Cantor used features built into Microsoft Office to provide modifications, such as making the presentation of menu options more consistent and simpler, and improving the legibility of the Windows system display so that his client would not need to lean forward to read the screen. He also created several macros, small pieces of programming that can speed up or simplify repeated tasks, using an inexpensive mainstream program called Macro Express. After implementation of these changes, plus training on keyboard alternatives to mouse use, Joan was able to perform tasks in 16 minutes that had previously taken an hour, and her back pain abated.

While the cost of providing these accommodations was around $4,000 USD, Cantor argues that cost recovery is swift. “Assuming a daily increase [of the value of her work] of $100 USD,” he said, “cost recovery occurred in two months.”

Cantor almost always recommends a range of eight to 10 types of accommodations, including modifications to seating, workspace, and ergonomics. “Each modification contributes cumulatively to the comfort and safety of the employee,” said Cantor. “However, some software customization is almost always involved.”

While Joan’s primary disability affected her dexterity, Cantor sees these strategies as having potential for enabling competitive employment for people with learning, cognitive, communication, or sensory disabilities. His current research includes creating highly complex macros for a blind individual who is now able to complete tasks in five minutes that take his colleagues twice as long.

When asked why these techniques aren’t employed more often, Cantor stated that, “People with disabilities aren’t aware of them, don’t see how they are relevant or don’t know how powerful they can be. AT practitioners aren’t aware or aren’t comfortable with them, resulting in insufficient expertise within the field to be widespread.”

At the end of his presentation, Cantor reported that Joan is still successfully employed at the same job. “I doubt very much,” said Cantor, “that she would still be there if she hadn’t had the user interface modifications, macros and keyboard training.”

Source: CSUN 2006 Session