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Windows Vista Accessibility

Page history last edited by David Banes 2 yrs ago

Accessibility features in Windows Vista

Information on features

Features	Description
Ease of Access Center	Provides a centralized location where you can adjust accessibility settings and manage accessibility programs.
Speech Recognition	Enables you to interact with your computer using only your voice while maintaining, or even increasing, your productivity.
Magnifier	Magnifies part of the screen, making it easier to see enlarged items on screen.
Narrator	A text-to-speech program that reads aloud on-screen text and describes some events (such as error messages) that happen while you're using the computer.
On-Screen Keyboard	A visual, on-screen keyboard with all the standard keys that you can use instead of a physical keyboard. On-Screen Keyboard also lets you type using an alternative input device.
Keyboard shortcuts	Use keyboard shortcuts as an alternative to the mouse. Keyboard shortcuts can be found in the menus of programs, or, if a letter is underlined on a menu, that usually means pressing the ALT key in combination with the underlined key has the same effect as clicking that menu item.
Mouse Keys	Instead of using the mouse, you can use the arrow keys on the numeric keypad to move the pointer.
Sticky Keys	Instead of having to press multiple keys at once (such as when you must press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys simultaneously to log on to Windows), you can press one key at a time when Sticky Keys is turned on.
Filter Keys	Ignores keystrokes that occur in rapid succession and keystrokes that are held down for several seconds unintentionally.
Visual Notifications	Replace system sounds with visual cues, such as a flash on the screen, so system alerts are announced with visual notifications instead of sounds.
Captions	Turn on text captions for animations and video.
Replacement for SerialKeys	Windows Vista does not include SerialKeys. In previous versions of Windows, Serial Keys provided support so that alternative input devices, such as augmentative communication devices, could be plugged into the computer's serial port. For individuals that used these devices, it is important to install an alternative solution prior to upgrading to Windows Vista. Recommended solutions: AAC Keys and SKEYS from Eyegaze.

Accessibility Tutorials - Windows Vista

Ease of Access Center and Accessibility Tools Using the Ease of Access Center Make items on the screen appear larger (Magnifier) Choose where Magnifier focuses Change the appearance of Magnifier Set the zoom level of Magnifier Resize or move the Magnifier window Type without using the keyboard (On-Screen Keyboard) Select a layout for On-Screen Keyboard Change the way you interact with On-Screen Keyboard Change the font for On-Screen Keyboard keys Set On-Screen Keyboard to use audible clicks (Click Sound) Keep On-Screen Keyboard always on top Hear text read aloud with Narrator Choose which text Narrator reads aloud Change the Narrator voice settings Start Narrator minimized Troubleshoot Narrator problems Turn on High Contrast and change the settings Apply all accessibility settings to the logon desktop	Make the Computer Easier to See Turn on High Contrast and change the settings Hear text read aloud with Narrator Turn On Audio Description Change the size of text and icons Make items on the screen appear larger (Magnifier) Adjust the color and transparency of the window borders Fine tune display effects Make the focus rectangle thicker Set the thickness of the blinking cursor Turn off all unnecessary animations Remove background images Change screen resolution Change the desktop theme Choose the desktop background Change screen saver Change what the mouse pointer looks like Change pointer settings including motion and visibility Change mouse button settings
Make the Keyboard Easier to Use Control the mouse pointer with the keyboard (Mouse Keys) Press keyboard shortcuts one key at a time (Sticky Keys) Hear a tone when you press CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK (Toggle Keys) Ignore or slow down brief or repeated keystrokes (Filter Keys) Turn on Bounce Keys Turn on Repeat Keys and Slow Keys Underline keyboard shortcuts and access keys Choose a Dvorak keyboard layout Adjust cursor blink rate Adjust character repeat rate Find keyboard shortcuts	Make the Mouse Easier to Use Change the color and size of mouse pointers Control the mouse pointer with the keyboard (Mouse Keys) Activate a window by hovering over it with the mouse Change what the mouse pointer looks like Change pointer settings including motion and visibility Change mouse button settings Use the Computer Without a Mouse or Keyboard Type without using the keyboard (On-Screen Keyboard) Start Speech Recognition
Use the Computer Without a Display Hear text read aloud with Narrator Turn on Audio Description Set up Text to Speech Turn off all unnecessary animations Choose how long Windows notification dialog boxes stay open Adjust system volume Change system sounds Use Text or Visual Alternatives for Sounds Turn on visual notifications for sounds (Sound Sentry) Turn on text captions for spoken dialog Adjust system volume Change system sounds	Make It Easier to Focus on Tasks Hear text read aloud with Narrator Remove background images Press keyboard shortcuts one key at a time (Sticky Keys) Hear a tone when you press CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK (Toggle Keys) Ignore or slow down brief or repeated keystrokes (Filter Keys) Turn on Bounce Keys Turn on Repeat Keys and Slow Keys Turn off all unnecessary animations Choose how long Windows notification dialog boxes stay open Start Speech Recognition Set up microphone Take Speech Tutorial Train your computer to better understand you Open the Speech Reference Card Advanced speech options
Use Speech Recognition Start Speech Recognition Set up microphone Take Speech Tutorial Train your computer to better understand you Open the Speech Reference Card Advanced speech options	Make the Internet Easier to Use Zoom in on a Web page Change text size on Web pages Choose colors used on Web pages Choose fonts used on Web pages Choose accessibility settings for Web pages Format Web pages using a custom style sheet Choose advanced settings

Windows Vista Accessibility Demonstrations

Windows Vista includes built-in accessibility settings and programs that make it easier for computer users to see, hear, and use.

Accessibility Today Video

View video demonstrations:

	Ease of Access Center		Control Without a Mouse or Keyboard
	Make the Computer Easier to See		Use Text or Visual Alternatives for Sounds
	Use the Computer Without a Display		Make it Easier to Focus on Tasks
	Make the Keyboard Easier to Use		Windows Speech Recognition
	Make the Mouse Easier to Use		Make the Internet Easier to Use

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Windows Vista Accessibility

Accessibility features in Windows Vista

Information on features

Accessibility Tutorials - Windows Vista

Windows Vista Accessibility Demonstrations

Windows Vista Accessibility

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