Adaptable and configurable systems to enable disabled people to access computer systems

Traditionally, assistive devices have been produced to help disabled people overcome the loss of a particular function, such as being able to write using a pen and paper. Although, in these instances, the application of technology has proven to be of considerable assistance to disabled people in overcoming such loss of function, technology has increasingly become part of daily life. This has consistently introduced new obstacles as well as opportunities for different groups of disabled people who need to use the computer-based systems. A widely accepted solution to some of these problems is `computer access systems´ which enabled people with a physical or sensory disability to access applications programs running on industry standard hardware. The author is concerned with how computer access systems can be improved by introducing capabilities for adaptability and configurability. This is discussed in the context of access systems for switch users and for blind users