Control Panel Accessibility Options

Windows XP's main accessibility options are found in the Accessibility Options utility, which is accessed from the Control Panel. Just click the Accessibility Options icon in the Control Panel to display the Accessibility Options dialog box.

This dialog box includes five tabs. Each tab serves as a gateway for specific accessibility tools.

Keyboard Options

The Keyboard tab lets you turn on or off three different tools:

• StickyKeys. Lets you perform multiple-key operations (such as Ctrl+key or Alt+key) by pressing one key at a time.

• FilterKeys. Adjusts the response of your keyboard, making it less sensitive to accidentally repeated keystrokes.

• ToggleKeys. Produces a sound when the Caps Lock, Num Lock, and Scroll Lock keys are activated.

This tab also provides the option of displaying extra keyboard help in programs.

Sound Options

The Sound tab lets you turn on or off two different tools:

• SoundSentry. Displays a visual warning when your computer makes a sound.

• ShowSounds. Instructs software applications to display captions for the sounds that they make.

Display Options

The Display tab lets you turn on or off the High Contrast option, which can make it easier for the vision-impaired to read the screen. It also lets you change the width and blink rate of the Windows cursor.

Mouse Options

The Mouse tab lets you turn on or off the MouseKeys tool, which lets you control the mouse from your PC's numeric keypad.

General Options

The General tab lets you configure how the accessibility options are employed on your computer.