Ergonomic Tips (05/03)
Accessibility In Windows XP
by John R. Chait D.C.,drchait@hotmail.com
Member of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc.Microsoft Windows XP Professional helps you experience the full possibilities of your PC. Accessibility enhancements in Windows XP Professional provide better integration with assistive technology and richer communications. Below are highlights of the accessibility features that make it easier for people with accessibility needs and disabilities to use their PC's more efficiently.
Adjusts to Meet Your Needs and Preferences
You can adjust the appearance and behavior of Windows XP Professional to enhance accessibility for specific vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, and seizure-related needs. Here are some of the ways to adjust Windows XP Professional to meet your particular needs and preferences:
* Use Accessibility Options-Change the appearance and behavior of Windows XP Professional including the settings of your keyboard, display, sound and mouse functions by using the Accessibility Wizard, the Accessibility Options icon, and other icons in the Control Panel.
* Select from More Cursor Options-Adjust the width of your cursor and the cursor blink rate, or turn the cursor blink feature off completely. This helps people who have difficulty seeing a small cursor or those who may experience seizures because of blinking or flashing lights.
* Select Mouse Pointer Options-Adjust the motion and visibility of the mouse pointer to suit your particular needs.
* Adjust Timing Options-Select timing options including setting the rate of blinking and flashing objects, or turning them off altogether. This is important to people affected by timing patterns including those who have related seizure disorders.
* Use Keyboard Shortcuts-Select commands and buttons from menus and toolbars using just keyboard shortcuts. Keyboard shortcuts are especially useful for people who have difficulty using the mouse as their standard navigation device, or those who simply find it easier to use the keyboard.
* Use Shortcut Keys to Quickly Access Accessibility Features-Immediately activate accessibility features using keyboard shortcut combinations called "Hot Keys." These shortcuts help people who cannot use the computer without first having accessibility through the keyboard.
Built-In Accessibility
Windows XP Professional has built-in accessibility that helps users get quick access to computers and better interaction with assistive technology.
Improved Accessibility Utilities-Magnifier, Narrator, On-screen Keyboard, and Utility Manager are improved in Windows XP and continue to provide accessibility support to individuals who need to temporarily use a machine other than their own, or to log on and set up their machine for the first time.
Improved Assistive Technology Support-Improved underlying support for accessibility in Windows XP Professional means assistive technologies will more easily understand the operating system and, therefore, function better.
Personalize and Share Your PC
Windows XP Professional is intelligent and easy to use. Even when sharing a computer at work or at home; each user can keep the desktop interface and other Windows XP Professional features arranged according to their preferences.
* Multiple User Profiles-Keep information personalized and separate for each user of a PC while helping to protect user security. Multiple users of the same computer can use their logon and password information to set preferences and desktop settings-including any accessibility features they need. Whenever a user logs on; his or her personal settings will automatically be loaded-without affecting the selected settings of other users.
Fast User Switching-Quickly switch among multiple users who share a PC-without the need to log off and log on again-while preserving all users' settings and projects.
Be More Efficient
The new look of Windows XP Professional helps you operate your PC the way you want to.
* Improved Start Menu-Get easy access to your most frequently used applications with the new Windows XP Start menu. Your favorite programs display first, and your e-mail and Web browser are always available. Quickly access your documents, printers, and network connections, or get Help and Support, and the tools to configure your system. Users who are more comfortable with the classic Start menu view can choose that option if preferred.
* Search Companion-Search for all types of objects, from pictures, music, and documents, to printers, computers, and people, with Windows XP Professional Search Companion. Search your own computer, other computers (if you are connected to a network), and the Internet.
* Simplified Visual Design-Find things easier and do the things you want faster with the simplified visual design of Windows XP. Use visual cues for easy navigation, and quickly change back and forth between the new look of Windows XP and the classic Windows look.
Please refer to the Microsoft web site (www.microsoft.com) for further information on the accessibility options in Windows XP. :
Copyright 2003. This article is from the May 2003 issue of the Sarasota PC Monitor, the official monthly publication of the Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc., P.O. Box 15889, Sarasota, FL 34277-1889. Permission to reprint is granted only to other non-profit computer user groups, provided proper credit is given to the author and our publication. We would appreciate receiving a copy of the publication the reprint appears in, please send to above address, Attn: Editor. For further information about our group, email: admin@spcug.org/ Web: http://www.spcug.org/The Sarasota Personal Computer Users Group, Inc. has 1,100+ members and was established in 1982. We are members of the Assoc. of PC User Groups (APCUG), the Florida Assoc. of PC Users Groups, Inc., and we are members of the America Online Ambassador Program.
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