Using the Accessibility Accessory Programs

In addition to the accessory programs covered in Chapter 21, "Using Windows Accessory Programs," Windows XP includes a set of accessibility accessory programs. These programs make it easier for those with disabilities to use the operating system and include the following:

• Magnifier magnifies the contents of your screen.

• Narrator reads the contents of your screen aloud.

• On-Screen Keyboard enables users who have limited mobility to type onscreen using a pointing device.

To start any of these accessory programs, follow these steps:

1.	Click the Start button, select All Programs, choose Accessories, and then click Accessibility.
2.	Click any of the programs: Magnifier, Narrator, or On-Screen Keyboard. The particular program is then started.

When you start each program, you see a dialog box that provides information about the program you opened. When this appears, read over the contents of the dialog box and click OK to close it.

You can also use the Accessibility Wizard to set up and turn on any of the programs. The wizard is covered later in this chapter.

Finally, to keep the program open but remove the program's dialog box from view, click the Minimize button in the top-right corner of the dialog box.

The following sections discuss how to use each of the accessibility accessory programs.

Using Magnifier

Magnifier magnifies part of your screen so that you can see it better. The top part of the screen shows the location of the mouse pointer. The rest of the screen shows the "regular" view of the window. In Figure 23.1, for instance, you see the Display Properties dialog box open. The magnification area shows the location of the mouse pointer. You can use this tool to better see and select options.

Figure 23.1. You can magnify the current location of the mouse pointer so that you can better see and select options.

To fine-tune this program, you can use the Magnifier Settings dialog box, shown in Figure 23.2. This dialog box appears when you start the program. From this list of options, you can do any of the following:

• To change the magnification level, display the drop-down list and select a different level. The higher the level, the bigger the current pointer location appears.

• By default, Magnifier automatically follows the mouse cursor, keyboard focus, and text editing. To turn off any tracking options, uncheck them.

• By default, the Magnifier Settings dialog box is displayed. You can choose to start the program minimized. You can also invert the colors. To do so, check any of these options in the Presentation area of the dialog box.

Figure 23.2. Use the Magnifier Settings dialog box to make changes to how this program works.

To exit Magnifier, click the Exit button in the Magnifier Settings dialog box.

tip

Another option for making your screen easier to read is to change the display size of text and other onscreen elements. You can do this with the wizard or with the Accessibility Control Panel options, which are covered later in this chapter.

Using Narrator

When you start Narrator, you see the opening screen. Click OK and you'll see the Narrator dialog box, shown in Figure 23.3. The Narrator reads onscreen events and typed characters.

Figure 23.3. Use Narrator to have the program announce events, including dialog box options and typed characters.

You can also have Narrator move the mouse pointer to the active item. As another option, you can start the program minimized. Check any of the desired options in the Narrator dialog box.

You can select a voice you want to use for Narrator, as well as the speed, volume, and pitch of that voice. To do so, click the Voice button in the Narrator dialog box. At that point, a Voice Settings dialog box opens. Select your settings and then click OK.

To exit the program, click Exit. Then click Yes to confirm that you want to exit.

Using On-Screen Keyboard

When you start On-Screen Keyboard, you see the welcome screen, which describes its use. Click OK to close the dialog box. You can then use the On-Screen Keyboard, shown in Figure 23.4, to type.

Figure 23.4. You can use On-Screen Keyboard to type using your mouse.

You can type by clicking the onscreen keys with your mouse pointer. If you prefer a different method, you can click Settings and then Typing Mode to select another method: hovering or scanning. In hovering mode, you use a mouse or joystick to hover the pointer over a key; the selected character is then typed. In scanning mode, On-Screen Keyboard scans the keyboard, highlighting letters; you then press a hot key or use a switch-input device whenever On-Screen Keyboard highlights the character you want to type.