Managing Accessibility Options Using the Utility Manager

The Utility Manager application, shown in Figure 8.8, can be used to enable and disable the execution of the following accessibility applications:

• Magnifier

• Narrator

• On-Screen Keyboard

Figure 8.8: The Utility Manager provides control over the execution of several accessibility applications

The Utility Manger can be started by clicking on Start/All Programs/Accessories/Accessibility and then selecting Utility Manager. However, a more convenient way to start it is to press the Windows logo key + U. In addition, users can press the Windows logo key + U even before they initiate the login sequence, thus providing immediate assistance.

The Utility Manager allows users and administrators to perform the following actions:

• Examine the status of accessibility applications

• Stop and start accessibility applications

• Configure an accessibility application to start as soon as the user logs in

• Configure an accessibility application to start when the user locks the desktop

• Configure an accessibility application to start when the Utility Manager starts

The following procedure demonstrates the steps involved in using the Utility Manager.

1. Press the Windows logo key + U. The Utility Manager dialog appears.

2. Any accessibility applications configured to start with the Utility Manager are also started.

3. Select an accessibility application and click on Start or Stop as required to begin or terminate use of the application.

4. To configure which of the three available startup options are applied to an application, select the application and each desired start option.

5. Click on OK to close the Utility Manger dialog. Any active accessibility applications that were started with the Utility Manager will remain active until closed.