What You Wish You’d Known!! Accessibility Options Windows XP & Microsoft Accessibility Options, Access Supports Stacy Springer, MS, OTR/L, ATP Assistive Technology Specialist Cabarrus County Schools, NC

Introduction Many student computer users (as well as their teachers!) could benefit from using options on their computers that make it easier to see, hear, and use. Accessibility options are beneficial to individuals who have: Dexterity pain in the hands, arms, and wrists Dexterity pain in the hands, arms, and wrists Motor difficulties, including use of only one hand Motor difficulties, including use of only one hand Eye strain and reduced vision Eye strain and reduced vision Hearing loss Hearing loss To work in noisy or poorly lit environments To work in noisy or poorly lit environments

Today You Will Learn:  About technology options built in to your computer  How to adjust your computer so it is: - Easier to see - Easier to hear - Easier to use the mouse - Easier to use the keyboard  Additional free resources for computer access  Alternative/Adaptive mouse and keyboard inputs 3

Did you know???  1 in 4 people experience a visual difficulty  1 in 4 people experience discomfort in hands, arms, or wrists  1 in 5 people have difficulty hearing (Forrester, 2003) Microsoft funded study

5 Base: US year old computer users who use accessibility options These Options Make the Computer Easier to Use for Everyone – Not Just for Those with Disabilities Less than 1%

Continuum of Technology: No Tech – High Tech  Least Restrictive Environment = Least Restrictive Technology  Always consider low tech before high tech  Greater access across environments All computers have accessibility options vs. requiring specialized additional software All computers have accessibility options vs. requiring specialized additional software  Ease of Use (students & team members)

Windows XP Accessibility Features

8 Where to go: Classic View Start → Control Panel → Keyboard Sounds Display Mouse Accessibility Options

Vision Options

Display & Appearance: Vision Options To magnify any window, press Control key and scroll the mouse wheel

Start → Control Panel → Display  Appearance Change the font size (normal, large, extra large) and color Change the font size (normal, large, extra large) and color Use large Icons Use large Icons Customize individual sizes Customize individual sizes

Start → Control Panel → Display  Settings Change the screen resolution Change the screen resolution To increase size, To increase size, lower the resolution

Start → Control Panel → Accessibility Options → Display  Use high contrast  Select Settings for more contrast options  Adjust cursor width and blink rate

Start → Control Panel → Sounds and Audio Devices  Sounds Can chose a sound (‘ding’) to hear when an icon or other action is performed Can chose a sound (‘ding’) to hear when an icon or other action is performed Can save different sounds schemes Can save different sounds schemes

Start → Control Panel → Accessibility Options → Keyboard  ToggleKeys If you want to hear tones when pressing CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, & SCROLL LOCK If you want to hear tones when pressing CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, & SCROLL LOCK

Start → All Programs → Accessories → Accessibility → Magnifier  Magnify up to 9x  Floating window or dock  Track mouse movements or only selections  Can invert colors

Hearing Options

Start → Control Panel → Sounds & Audio Devices → Sounds  Adjusts the volume & sounds

Start → Control Panel → Accessibility Options → Sounds  Sound sentry Gives Visual warning when your system makes a sound Gives Visual warning when your system makes a sound  Show Sounds Displays captions for the speech and sounds Displays captions for the speech and sounds

Motor Options Keyboard & Mouse

Start → Control Panel → Keyboard → Speed  Adjust Character Repeat Rate Repeat Delay (amount of time that elapses before a character repeats when you hold down a key) Repeat Delay (amount of time that elapses before a character repeats when you hold down a key) Repeat Rate (the speed at which a character repeats when you hold down a key) Repeat Rate (the speed at which a character repeats when you hold down a key) Cursor blink rate can also be found here Cursor blink rate can also be found here

Start → Control Panel → Regional & Language Options → Languages →Details  In the Text Services & Input Languages, Select ADD  Choose US Dvorak or alternate keyboard  Dvorak keyboard can be used for one-handed or faster two-handed typing.

Start → Control Panel → Accessibility Options → Keyboard  StickyKeys - designed for people who have difficulty or can not hold down 2 or more keys at a time (CTRL+ALT+DEL)  Turning on StickyKeys allows you to press one key at a time to perform the action

Start → Control Panel → Accessibility Options → Keyboard  FilterKeys - adjusts the keyboard response so that accidental repeated keystrokes are ignored OR slow the rate at which the key repeats when the key is depressed

Start → All Programs → Accessories → Accessibility → On-screen keyboard  On-screen keyboard enables typing for individuals who cannot access an external keyboard  To activate letters Mouse Mouse Hover (dwell) Hover (dwell) Scan (change rate, select key function) – row, column Scan (change rate, select key function) – row, column  Does not include word prediction  Can adjust the font of the individual keys, but not the size of the keys or keyboard

Start → Control Panel → Mouse → Button Properties  Switch Left/Right click functions (for left- handed users)  Adjust the double-click speed to open folders  Turn on ClickLock - allows the individual to highlight or drag without having to hold down the mouse button

Start → Control Panel → Mouse → Pointers  Choose a Pointer scheme For example: Magnified or Windows Black For example: Magnified or Windows Black

Start → Control Panel → Mouse → Pointer Options  Adjust the speed of the pointer (mouse cursor)  Snap To - moves the pointer to a default button  Visibility - pointer trails; hide pointer; show location

Start → Control Panel → Accessibility Options → Mouse  Mousekeys - allows the mouse pointer to be controlled by the keyboard instead of the mouse  Uses the number pad to move the mouse

Keyboard Shortcuts 30 PressTo Right SHIFT for eight seconds Switch FilterKeys on and off. Left ALT+left SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN Switch High Contrast on and off. Left ALT+left SHIFT+NUM LOCK Switch MouseKeys on and off. SHIFT five times Switch StickyKeys on and off. NUM LOCK for five seconds Switch ToggleKeys on and off. +U +U Open Utility Manager.

Open MS Word → Tools → AutoCorrect  Abbreviated Expansion Feature reduces number of keystrokes required to produce a word  The user can assign a series of letters or keystrokes Type S S R J → Stacy Springer, Reading Class, Mr. Johnson Type SS → Stacy Springer

Read Aloud Options XP Narrator MS Text-to-Speech MS Voice Recognition

Start → All Programs → Accessories → Accessibility → Narrator  Very Basic Text-to-Speech support  Reads what is displayed on the screen Contents of the active window Contents of the active window Menu options Menu options Text that has been typed Text that has been typed  Reads in Notepad and Word pad, not in MS Word  Does not allow you to select text, so it reads the whole window – including toolbars, links, and headings before getting to the text.

Open MS Word→ Tools → Speech  If you are prompted to train the speech recognition, select “cancel”  Click the microphone icon to turn off the speech recognition feature  The “speak text” option does not appear by default. Click on the down arrow on the right side of the toolbar. Select “speak text” (it will be added to the toolbar). Click “pause speaking” or “stop” as needed.  You may highlight text to have a specific section read out loud.  Does not highlight as it reads Text-to-Speech

Voice Recognition Open MS Word→ Tools → Speech  This enables the language bar for both speech-to-text and text-to-speech options  You will be guided through training needed to create a user voice profile (15 minutes)  You will need a microphone  Can dictate directly into MS Office, not other applications Speech-to-Text

You can make that talk?!?!! Downloads for MS Word, Text-to- Speech, & Internet Browsers

Microsoft Reader  Microsoft Reader for Windows (introduction)  Microsoft Reader Download (free) Will need to activate, then download some free books Will need to activate, then download some free bookshttp://  Microsoft Reader Text-to-Speech Package (free)  Microsoft Reader Plug-In for MS Word (free - to make ebooks)  Microsoft Encarta dictionary for Microsoft Reader for Windows  Text-to-Speech

 Download free from  Reads (text-to-speech) Text files Text files MS Word files MS Word files MS Internet Explorer Webpages MS Internet Explorer Webpages Adobe PDF files Adobe PDF files s s NaturalReader Text-to-Speech

Word Talk  Word talk.  Download free (  Speak the text of the document.  Highlight it as it goes.  Contains a talking dictionary.  Sits neatly in your toolbar.  Allows configuring of highlight colors, voice and the speed of the speech. Text-to-Speech

Read Please  Read Please 2003 sits in the task bar.  Download free from  A formatted clipboard is designed to read text from any source.  Offers three text voices.  Highlights text as it reads.  Adjustable font size and color.  Easy to use interface with VCR-like controls. Text-to-Speech

Browsealoud  Free download for reading web pages aloud  Only works with websites that have partnered with Browsealoud

CLiCK, Speak A Free extension for Firefox web browser  Free extension for Mozilla Firefox – both Mac & PC -  Reads web pages  Auto Reading Mode or Speak Selection

Additional Resources Onscreen Keyboard Mouse Features

Click-N-Type  Free on-screen keyboard with word prediction  Lake Software  Keyboard size can be adjusted, no limit  QWERTY & ABC layout  Change Keyboard colors  Modify & Add to word list  Dwell & Scan Access for Mouse Click  Windows 95 - Vista

BasicMouse by Dolesoft  Disable Right Click of Mouse  Can merge all mouse buttons to act as left click  Also has options for disabling various windows keys  Assign key commands to turn on/off basic mouse  Download for free trial  Purchase for $

Free Information Microsoft Accessibility Web Site Microsoft Accessibility Free Accessibility Resource CD Set Free Step-by-Step Tutorials for Windows, Office, and Internet Explorer Free Accessibility Update e-newsletter Your Local Assistive Technology Center Try out assistive technology products and learn about additional options at the South Carolina Assistive Technology demonstration center. Call (803) or (800) for an appointment.

Low Tech pointing devices Typing pointers Head pointers

Adaptations for keyboards Keyguards Stickers for keyboard

Adapted keyboards and mice Remote (cordless) keyboards and mice Ergonomic keyboards

Adapted keyboards and mice Trackball Joystick Touchpad

Adapted keyboards and mice Head Mouse Touch Screen Switch access

Adapted keyboards and mice One-Handed Keyboards

Adapted keyboards and mice Expanded and Programmablekeyboards BigKeys and SAM Trackball Intellikeys Keyboard

Adapted software Word Prediction Text-to-speech

Adapted software Screenreading Screen magnification Voice recognition

SC AT Support  SCATP – South Carolina Assistive Technology Program Columbia, SC; provides state-wide resources for the community; demonstration lab for public; free trial loan of AT devices (only pay shipping); almost every state has an AT center (tech act) -  SC Department of Education Assistive Technology Regional Specialists - trainings on assistive technology for districts and regions, consultations, support for districts & schools, assistance in facilitating AT teams Midlands: Elizabeth Bagley, , Midlands: Elizabeth Bagley, , Pee Dee: Mary Jo Schneider, X21, Pee Dee: Mary Jo Schneider, X21, Low Country: Sue Maloney, , Low Country: Sue Maloney, , Greenville: Coming Soon Greenville: Coming Soon Coastal: Coming Soon Coastal: Coming Soon Services/AssistiveTechnologyRegionalSpecialists.html

Resources  - TAM-CEC - Technology and Media Division of the Council for Exceptional Children  –Alliance for Technology Access (ATA) is the national network of community-based Resource Centers  – (Wisconsin Assistive Technology Initiative) free downloads & guides  – (Georgia Project for Assistive Technology)  – (Quality Indicators for Assistive Technology Services) Best practice guides for School Services and free public Listserv  – Linda Burkhart’s webpage for resources for supporting children with multiple complex needs  – (ATTO – Assistive Technology Training Online Project, University of Buffalo) provides online trainings in areas of AT

Questions?Comments? Stacy Springer, MS, OTR/L, ATP Assistive Technology Specialist Cabarrus County Schools, NC Stacy Springer, MS, OTR/L, ATP Assistive Technology Specialist Cabarrus County Schools, NC Many Thanks to Dr. Carol Page O’Day & SCATP for support and resources