Modality

The sensory channel or communication method through which a user interacts with a computer system, such as visual (graphical displays), auditory (speech or non-speech audio), tactile (braille, haptic feedback), or textual (command-line) output, and keyboard, mouse, voice, gesture, or switch input. In accessibility, supporting multiple modalities is essential because users with different disabilities rely on different sensory and motor channels. A system with selectable or switchable modality allows users to choose the interaction mode that best fits their abilities and environment.