Free Computer AT Already in Windows Computers

Mouse Assistance/Alternatives

MouseKeys

MouseKeys allows the keypad (the rectangle of number keys on the far right of most desktop keyboards) to be used to carry out all mouse commands. Separate keypads can also be purchased and added to laptops, or used by people who prefer to place the keypad on their left. Having MouseKeys active does not interfere with standard mouse use.

To access MouseKeys settings:

XP: Accessibility control panel→Mouse tab

Vista/7: Ease of Access control panel→Make the mouse easier to use

MouseKeys commands:

Movement keys:
 7: Moves cursor northwest
 8: Moves cursor due north
 9: Moves cursor northeast
 4: Moves cursor due west
 6: Moves cursor due east
 1: Moves cursor southwest
 2: Moves cursor due south
 3: Moves cursor southeast

Button Keys:
 5: Emulates left mouse button
 +: Emulates right mouse button
 0: Emulates drag function. (Position cursor over desired icon, then click “0.” Use movement keys to drag icon. Use 5 key to turn drag function off.)

Click Items as Follows

Windows has a setting in the Folders control panel that eliminates most need for double clicking. This can be particularly helpful for new computer users who may be confused about when to single click and when to double click, as well as for people with slow reflexes or  forefinger injuries.

To access Click Items as Follows settings:

XP, Vista, 7: Folder Options→General tab

Under the "Click items as follows" option, click on the "Single-click to open an item" radio button. Then click on either "Underline icon titles consistent with my browser Any application used to access the World Wide Web; the most popular are Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Opera. " (recommended; in most cases, this means the titles will always appear underlined) or "Underline icon titles only when I point at them."

Mouse control panel

The Buttons tab in the Mouse control panel in XP, Vista, and 7 has options that make clicking functions easier to use. The Pointers, and Pointer Options tabs have options to make the pointer easier to see:

Buttons tab:

Button Configuration--Allows the function of the left and right button to be swapped, primarily for the benefit of people who use the mouse with their left hand.

Double-Click Speed--Allows the amount of time that can elapse between the first and second click to be adjusted; the slower the speed, the longer the user can pause between clicks and still have the double-click accepted.

Click Lock--Allows highlighting and other dragging functions to be accomplished without having to hold down the left mouse button. Clicking the left mouse button once "locks" it; after the dragging is completed, clicking it again releases it.

Pointers tab:

Allows any of the pointers (the arrow, the "text select" I-Bar, the resize arrows, etc.) to be modified for size and/or color contrast. Several "schemes" allow all pointers to be modified at the same time; e.g., a "Windows Black (extra large)" scheme will make all pointers significantly larger and darker.

Pointer Options tab:

Motion--Modifys how fast the pointer moves. If someone has difficulty visually tracking the pointer, they can use this option to slow it down.

Snap To--When a dialog box comes up, this option automatically moves the pointer to the default button.

Visibility--This includes three options that may make the pointer easier to use for people with visual disabilties: Pointer Trails (which results in a trail of pointer images), Hide Pointer when Typing (which eliminates problems with large pointers blocking part of a document), and Show Location of Pointer (which puts a bulls-eye around the pointer when the Control key is pressed, making it easier to see).

Keyboard Shortcuts

Many mouse functions can be carried out more efficiently through use of keyboard shortcuts. Common shortcuts include the following:

Comprehensive shortcut lists are available:

Windows XP keyboard shortcuts list

Windows Vista keyboard shortcuts list

Windows 7 keyboard shortcuts list

Keyboard Assistance/Alternatives

Sticky Keys/Filter Keys/Toggle Keys

StickyKeys eliminates the need to press more than one key at a time. For example, with StickyKeys, you can perform a restart (Control-Alt-Delete) by pressing and releasing Control, pressing and releasing Alt, and pressing and releasing Delete.

Filter Keys slows down or turns off key repeats. This is helpful for people with hand tremors, cerebral palsy, etc., who often get unintended extra characters.

Toggle Keys provides an audio tone whenever the Caps Lock, Scroll Lock, or Num Lock key is pressed. This function was designed to alert blind users when they might have accidentally activated one of these keys, but can be helpful to anyone.

These three useful options can be turned on from the following locations:

XP: Accessibility control panel→Keyboard tab

Vista/7: Ease of Access control panel→Make the keyboard easier to use

Keyboard control panel

The Speed tab on the Keyboard control panel has two useful features:

• Character Repeat augments the Filter Keys function by allowing users to specify how much time should elapse between key repeats and how quickly keys should repeat.
• Cursor Blink Rate can make the cursor blink more quickly, which may make it more visible to people with low vision, or make the blinking slower or non-existent, which may be more comfortable for people with photosensitivity.

Onscreen Keyboard

An on-screen keyboard shows the standard keyboard layout on the screen, where it can be accessed using the mouse. Options include clicking directly on the desired key, hovering over it for a set period of time to select a character, or clicking the mouse when the desired key is highlighted in a scanning An input method whereby letters or other items on a screen are highlighted sequentially. When the desired item is highlighted, the user clicks a mouse or presses a switch to select it. pattern. In Windows 7, the built-in keyboard also has word prediction Software that helps users with cognitive or dexterity disabilities type faster. When the user types a letter, a list of words begining with that letter will appear. In some cases, words beginning with the same phoneme but different spellings may appear--e.g., pressing "f" will also bring up words starting with "ph." If the user sees the word they want, they can select it; otherwise, they continue typing. Most programs will learn vocabulary. Once the word is finished, most programs will predict options for the next word. , so that users can select common words and save themselves from having to type every letter.

To turn on the keyboard:

XP: Go to Start Menu→All Programs→Accessories→Accessibility→On-screen keyboard

Vista/7: Go to Start Menu→Accessories→Ease of Access→Start On-screen keyboard

To set options for input mode:

XP/Vista: From the Settings menu, choose Typing Mode.

7: Click on the Options button and choose one of the options under "To Use the On-Screen Keyboard"

Windows Speech Recognition Any technology that converts spoken words into text or commands.

Windows Vista and 7 include a simple speech recognition utility that allows users to dictate text into documents and speak mouse commands. It is not as powerful as commercial programs, and only supports one user per computer. Users must first go through a short voice training process.

To turn on speech recognition:

Vista/7: Go to Start Menu→Accessories→Ease of Access→Windows speech recognition

Monitor Assistance/Alternatives

System Display Settings

There are options for changing text size and color contrast (which affect most but not all parts of the computer system).

XP Options:

To select from about three dozen preset "skins," several of which provide high contrast and/or large print:

Accessibility control panel→Display tab

To modify any element on a skin, or to create a skin from scratch:

Display control panel→Appearance tab; click on the "Advanced" button.

Vista Options:

To select from eight preset skins, none of which provide large print:

Ease of Access control panel→Make the Computer Easier to See link→Choose a high contrast color scheme

To modify any element on a skin, or to create a skin from scratch:

Display control panel→Appearance tab; click on the "Advanced" button.

Windows 7 Options:

To select from six preset skins, none of which provide large print:

Ease of Access control panel→Make the Computer Easier to See link→Choose a high contrast theme link→Scroll down to "Basic and High Contrast Themes" option

To make the text 125% or 150% larger:

Ease of Access control panel→Make the Computer Easier to See link→Change the size of text and icons link

Magnifier

All three operating systems The software structure for a computer or mobile device; it provides a framework for applications like word processors and address books. have a Magnifier utility that works like a virtual magnifying glass to enlarge text on part or (in 7) on all of the screen.

To turn on the Magnifier:

XP: Go to Start Menu→All Programs→Accessories→Accessibility→Magnifier

Vista/7: Go to Start Menu→Accessories→Ease of Access→Start Magnifier

Narrator

Narrator is a very simple speech output Any conversion of text into synthetic speech; used by people who are blind or have other difficulties reading, and for communication by some people with impaired speech program that can help blind users get started with Windows. However, it does not substitute for a full-featured screen reader Software that converts screen text into speech, and also assists blind users in navigating on a computer. .

To turn on Narrator:

XP: Go to Start Menu→All Programs→Accessories→Accessibility→Narrator

Vista/7: Go to Start Menu→Accessories→Ease of Access→Start Narrator

Using Built-In Computer AT in Public Computer Labs

Although built-in options can provide benefits to many users in public computer labs, there can be barriers to their implementation. Security software may be set to prevent any access to control panels and other Start menu features. Management software (which lets users choose which applications to run) may not allow access to these features.

This can best be addressed by talking to your information technology (IT) staff members to see what arrangements can be made. Compromises may include:

• Permitting access to built-in utilities on computers that have other assistive technology loaded
• Making built-in utilities available via the software interface that allows users to select other applications
• Having a staff member modify security permissions when users request access to built-in utilities