Thursday, December 1, 2011

How Accessible Are Photocopiers?

By Katina Petrochello


More than just duplicating hard copies of documents, the Photocopiers have drastically changed in the last ten years, and now being able to perform many more tasks. These improvements in technology mean that many photocopiers already use a built in hard drive and this is to function in a different way to some older photocopiers. These changes sometimes cause a few problems with accessibility for disabled users, especially as small touch screens that have replaced the old large, easily recognizable buttons, and this is despite its impressive appeal. There are some people who find it is a hard time in accessing the change on the Photocopiers that can already perform many more functions and needing for a screen to display all the options. But today, there are a few photocopier manufacturers who have come up with ways to improve the accessibility of photocopiers.

Voice guidance kits are now available for the visually impaired users and individuals, this often works by having a small speaker attached to the side of photocopiers and use speech-output software to communicate with a user. To go through various functions, a number pad is used, and this is together with the speech output guiding the user. For some devices, Braille label kits can also be provided hence, making tactile buttons recognizable.

The photocopiers these days already have automatic document feeders, hence, increasing the speed at which multiple documents can be copied at just a short time. However, in the past, these were just used to be a straight forward platen cover that is covering the platen glass, but today, these often incorporates automatic document feeding equipment, hence, making them heavier to lift and especially difficult for wheelchair users. To combat this problem, an accessibility handle can be fitted to many photocopiers which then makes lifting the document feeder to be much easier.

The Touch screens can also be a problem as they are designed to be viewed from above and sometimes, they do not have very high contrasts, hence, making them difficult to access by wheelchair users and people with low vision. Some photocopier manufacturers have addressed this problem already. Recently, majority of photocopiers can now be networked. The users are allowed to access from a laptop or desktop PC, where the contrast and size of the information can be changed to make it more easily readable, and this is typically because of the Software such as Remote Operator's software kit that is installed on the photocopiers.

To improve accessibility of photocopiers, there is a number of measures to be taken. The Technology in photocopiers and their capabilities has been improved vastly in the last ten years and this is even made accessible to everyone. Today, there are a few photocopier manufacturers that have taken measures to improve accessibility for disabled users, hence, it should mean that more people will be able to take advantage of these new features and access them easily.




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