Configuring Accessibility

Windows 7 includes accessibility technology, which enables computer users to adjust their computers to make them easier to see, hear, and interact with. The accessibility settings in Windows are particularly helpful to people with visual difficulties, hearing loss, pain in their hands or arms, or reasoning and cognitive issues.

Windows offers several programs and settings that can make the computer easier and more comfortable to use. You can add other assistive technology products to your computer if you need additional accessibility features.

The Ease of Access Center is a central location that you can use to set up the accessibility settings and programs available in Windows. As Figure 3.9 shows, in the Ease of Access Center, you find quick access for setting up the accessibility settings and programs included in Windows. You also find a link to a questionnaire that Windows can use to help suggest settings that you might find useful.

To open the Ease of Access Center, click the Start button, click Control Panel, click Ease of Access, and then click Ease of Access Center. Another way to access the Ease of Access Center is to press Windows key + U. You can open a mini Ease of Access Center by clicking the Accessibility icon, located on the bottom-left corner on the logon page.

FIGURE 3.9 The Ease of Access Center.

Configuring and Managing Windows

The settings that can be adjusted are as follows: . Use the computer without a display: Windows comes with a basic

screen reader called Narrator that reads aloud text that appears on the screen. Windows also has settings for providing audio descriptions for videos and controlling how dialog boxes appear. For more information, search for Use the computer without a display using Windows Help and Support. Additionally, many other programs and hardware are com- patible with Windows and available to help individuals who are blind, including screen readers, Braille output devices, and many other useful products.

. Make the computer easier to see: Several settings are available to help make the information on the screen easier to understand. For example, the screen can be magnified, screen colors can be adjusted to make the screen easier to see and read, and unnecessary animations and back- ground images can be removed.

. Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard: Windows includes an on-screen keyboard that you can use to type. You can also use Speech Recognition to control your computer with voice commands as well as dictate text into programs.

. Make the mouse pointer easier to use: You can change the size and color of the mouse pointer, as well as use the keyboard to control the mouse.

. Make the keyboard easier to use: You can adjust the way Windows responds to mouse or keyboard input so that key combinations are easier to press, typing is easier, or inadvertent key presses are ignored.

. Use text and visual alternatives for sounds: Windows can replace two types of audio information with visual equivalents. You can replace system sounds with visual alerts and you can display text captions for spo- ken dialog in multimedia programs.

. Make it easier to focus on reading and typing tasks: There are a number of settings that can help make it easier to focus on reading and typing. You can have Narrator read information on the screen, adjust how the keyboard responds to certain keystrokes, and control whether certain visual elements are displayed.

CHAPTER 3: System Management

Configuring Accessibility