What Help Do I Need? Assistive Technology and Settings
People have different needs. Start by asking “What is difficult for you?”, then choose help that fits the person. This builds on DB-RK-14.
For parents: one-page guide.
01Remember
How do you start setting things up for someone, as in DB-RK-14?
Ask what is difficult and what they prefer.
Who changes the real settings?
A grown-up, together with the person and with their permission.
Do you offer everyone the same help?
No. Listen to the person first.
02Story
In our imaginary workshop, Mila, Niki and Dara are preparing a story with pictures. Mila looks at the screen. “The letters are small. I want to read the words myself.” Niki says, “I cannot use a mouse. I want to choose the pictures.” Dara adds, “I cannot hear the video. I want to know what is being said.”
Their helper Alex suggests larger text for everyone. Mila wants to try it. But Niki asks, “How will I choose a picture?” Dara points to the video. “I need words to go with it.” Alex pauses. One change does not answer three different requests.
The grown-up in the workshop suggests making a plan on paper. For Mila, they write “larger text”. For Niki, they discuss voice control or a selection switch. For Dara, they write “captions”. First they ask each person whether they want to try the suggestion.
Mila adds, “If it is still difficult, I will say so.” Alex leaves room to change the plan. He does not decide for his friends. When they use a real device, the grown-up will help with the settings. Until then, everyone tries the fictional cards in this lesson.
03Worked example
Assistive technologies are software and hardware that people with disabilities use to improve interaction with the web. A screen reader reads the page aloud; a screen magnifier enlarges content. Speech recognition and selection switches offer ways to enter commands when someone cannot use a keyboard or mouse. Larger text and captions are adaptive strategies rather than separate assistive technologies.
Ask: “What is difficult?” Mila says, “The small text.”
Suggest larger text. This is a setting for text size.
Ask: “Would you like to try it?” Then ask: “Is this comfortable?” If it is not, discuss another suggestion, such as a screen magnifier.
A grown-up makes any real change with the person’s permission.
04Try it now
This simulation uses fictional people. Choose a card, predict what might help, then choose a suggestion and press “Show explanation”. Nothing on the device changes. The simulation works offline, collects no data and saves no choices. There are no points, timer or rankings.
1 · Predict
2 · Run
3 · Change
Change your suggestion for the same person. What is still difficult? Then choose someone else. Use Tab and Enter or Space to operate the buttons.
05No screen
Take paper and a thick pencil. Invite a grandparent to make a “What helps me” card. If they cannot join you, use fictional Grandma Rada.
Write in large letters: “I WOULD LIKE LARGER TEXT”. Add a drawing and ask whether the writing is comfortable to read.
Change the card after their answer. Give it to them in person; keep it offline.
06Make your own
On one page, make “Settings for Mila (a fictional person)”. Include: what she wants to do; what is difficult; what I suggest; why; how I will ask whether it helps. Then offer to make a sheet for someone you know, with their permission. Write “my relative”, without personal details. Leave the sheet with them. Explain your choice and leave real settings to a grown-up.
07What I learned
- Ask the person what is difficult first.
- Choose help for the need, then ask whether it is comfortable.
- A tool and a setting are different. A grown-up makes real changes with permission.
1. Dara cannot hear the video. What do you suggest?
2. Which is an assistive technology?
3. How do you find out whether your choice helps?
It is yours when you can match a need to a suggestion and explain why you will ask the person whether it is comfortable.
08I have a question
Do you still have a question? Write it here. It goes to your parent, not to strangers. Your parent confirms their e-mail first.
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·Sources
- Title: What Help Do I Need? Assistive Technology and Settings · Author: Children’s Library, East Accelerator Foundation · original story, drawings and code · Rights: CC BY-SA 4.0.
- S1 · W3C Web Accessibility Initiative · Tools and Techniques · facts supplied as verified on 22.10.2026; no text or pictures copied; source rights remain with W3C.
- Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0 · Children's Library, East Accelerator Foundation, 2026. You may share and adapt this lesson if you credit the author and keep the same licence. Learning is free forever.