HOW TO: Set Up and Manage Accessibility for the Vision-Impaired in Windows 2000 Professional (323529)

SUMMARY

This article describes how to set up accessibility for vision-impaired users in a Windows 2000 environment. By using the Display tool in Control Panel, vision-impaired users can select larger fonts and icons, increase the size of screen elements by using a lower screen resolution, or change the size of windows and window borders. Through the Mouse tool in Control Panel, you can adjust mouse properties to display larger or more visible mouse pointers, and control the speed and animation of the mouse pointer.

When you use Windows-based programs, you can change font sizes and colors, background color, and window size. In some programs, you can magnify the elements that are displayed in the program window.

By using the Properties or Default dialog boxes in MS-DOS programs, you can change font type, font size, font color, background color, and the size of the pointer and program window.

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How to Turn On High Contrast

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Accessibility Options.
2. Click the Display tab, and then click to select the Use High Contrast check box under High Contrast.NOTE: To change the settings of the High Contrast feature, click the Display tab, and then click Settings. If the Use shortcut check box in the Settings for High Contrast dialog box is selected, you can turn the high-contrast scheme on and off by pressing left-ALT+SHIFT+PRINT SCREEN.

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How to Set the Magnification Level

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.
2. In the Magnifier dialog box, type or select the level that you want in the Magnification level box (to increase or reduce the magnification level).
   
   The default magnification level is 2.NOTE: To open the Magnifier by using the keyboard, press CTRL+ESC, press R, type magnify, and then press ENTER.

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How to Change the Position of the Magnifier Window

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.
2. Position the mouse pointer inside the magnification window.
   
   The pointer becomes a hand.
3. Drag the window to the intended area on your desktop.NOTE: To open the Magnifier by using the keyboard, press CTRL+ESC, press R, type magnify, and then press ENTER. You can dock the magnification window to the top, bottom, or side of your screen, or you can position the window anywhere on the desktop.

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How to Invert the Colors of the Magnifier Window

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.
2. In the Magnifier dialog box, click to select the Invert Colors check box under Colors.NOTE: To open the Magnifier by using the keyboard, press CTRL+ESC, press R, type magnify, and then press ENTER.

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How to Change the Magnifier to High Contrast Mode

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.
2. In the Magnifier dialog box, click to select the Use High Contrast mode check box under Colors.NOTE: To open the Magnifier by using the keyboard, press CTRL+ESC, press R, type magnify, and then press ENTER. High Contrast mode changes the system color scheme and prompts programs to use built-in accommodations for visual impairment, if available.

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How to Set the Magnifier Tracking Options

1. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.
2. In the Magnifier dialog box, select the options that you want under Tracking: mouse pointer, keyboard focus, and text editing. NOTE: To open the Magnifier by using the keyboard, press CTRL+ESC, press R, type magnify, and then press ENTER.

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How to Start the Accessibility Wizard

To start the Accessibility Wizard, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Accessibility Wizard.

NOTE: The Accessibility tools that are included in Windows 2000 are intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with special needs. Most users with disabilities will need utility programs with a higher degree of functionality for daily use.

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