Configuring Accessibility Features

Custom interfaces allow users with disabilities to control their computing environments so that they can effectively use the software they need to perform their work. Although accessibility features install automatically with Windows XP Professional, any previously configured options and settings must be reconfigured and customized options must be configured for individual users.

You can configure most accessibility options in either Control Panel or Accessibility Wizard. However, several options are configurable in only one of these tools. In some instances, there are different names for the same, or similar, features. Table I-1 describes such variances.

Table I-1: Variances in Accessibility Wizard and Control Panel Features

Accessibility Wizard	Control Panel
UI elements and schemes organized by category of disability	UI elements and schemes organized by feature
Magnifier	No Magnifier
No SerialKeys	SerialKeys
No customizable keyboard	Dvorak keyboard
BounceKeys	FilterKeys
Mouse options in I have trouble using a keyboard, on the Mouse menu	Mouse options in Mouse properties and the Mouse tab in Accessibility Options
Personalized menus	No personalized menu options

Configuring options by using Accessibility Wizard

Accessibility Wizard makes it easy to set up accessibility preferences to meet a user s particular needs. Available from the Start menu, the wizard provides a single entry point for many frequently used features. The wizard controls sound and screen options such as volume and font sizes, keyboard options such as BounceKeys and MouseKeys, and Administrative Options.

Configuring options by using Control Panel

Accessibility Options in Control Panel allows users to customize many accessibility features in Windows XP Professional. Users can turn accessibility features on or off and customize keyboard, sound, and mouse operations. Accessibility Options gives users access to the following features: StickyKeys, FilterKeys, ToggleKeys, SoundSentry, ShowSounds, MouseKeys, and SerialKeys. Users can also modify settings in Control Panel options such as Display, Keyboard, Mouse, and Sounds and Audio Devices.