Windows' accessibility options

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Windows' accessibility options

Q. My mother is over 80, and she has trouble seeing the monitor. Is there some way to magnify it?

A. Windows includes a number of accessibility options that can help people with disabilities. They can accommodate people with impaired or declining vision, hearing or dexterity.

I think your mother will find Windows' Magnifier helpful. It makes a portion of your screen act as a magnifying glass. The remaining portion continues to show a normal display. You can move your magnifying glass anywhere on the screen. And you can resize it to take up to half your screen. It is available in all versions of Windows.

To open Magnifier, click Start>>All Programs>> Accessories>>Accessibility>>Magnifier. Once you start Magnifier, you'll be able to customize it. First, you can choose the magnification level. You can use sizes from double to nine times normal. You can have your magnifier follow the mouse pointer. Or you can have it follow the keyboard focus (cursor). The keyboard focus setting works well for word processing.

Windows includes many more accessibility tools. Here are the other tools you can find under All Programs (or Programs):

Narrator is a helpful tool for people with low vision or blindness. It uses a computerized voice to describe what's on the screen. It can tell you which program or window is open. And it can tell you which menus and options you're selecting. You can also have Narrator read as you type, letter by letter. That can help with letter writing or e-mail. It's especially handy if you have limited typing ability.

A feature like Narrator requires incredible sophistication. Narrator is a great tool, but it's far from perfect. It works well with ubiquitous Microsoft products like Office and Internet Explorer. But its support weakens as you stray from Microsoft programs.It is available in Windows XP and 2000.

On-Screen Keyboard can be useful for those with limited dexterity. It lets you do your typing with the mouse. The virtual keyboard is complete with function and navigation keys and the number pad. And you can move it anywhere on the screen. It is available in Windows XP, 2000 and ME.

The Accessibility Wizard lets you open multiple accessibility tools with one pass. You can pick your settings for sight, hearing and dexterity aids. The wizard will change settings when you choose them. You can quickly discover which features you like and dislike. The wizard is available in Windows XP, 2000, ME and 98.

Other tools are available through Windows' Control Panel. To find them, click Start>>Control Panel in Windows XP, or Start>>Settings>>Control Panel in earlier versions of Windows. Then double-click Accessibility Options. Here are a few I like:

StickyKeys helps those who use a wand or mouth stick. It simplifies key combinations such as Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Instead of pressing them simultaneously, you can press them in sequence. It's also useful for using the Shift key.

FilterKeys eases the frustration of using the keyboard with limited dexterity. You can set your keyboard to ignore repeated keystrokes from shaky hands. You can also shut off or slow the keyboard repeat. That stops it from repeating a key that's held down too long.

MouseKeys lets you use the number pad as a mouse. This is another great feature for people who use a wand or mouth stick. There are settings to control the speed of the mouse pointer. The pointer also accelerates as you hold down the keys. And MouseKeys doesn't interfere with use of the actual mouse. You don't have to change settings for other users.

Most accessibility tools display an alert with their first activation. And most of them openly tell you that they're not cutting-edge. So the Microsoft site lists more robust tools from different developers. You can also do a search for your particular needs.

~JoyceWe are all self-made, but only the successful will admit it.