Windows Accessibility Programs
Read the following and do the activities. There are headings on this page. Use the letter h to move forward through the headings and Shift h to move backwards through the headings. When you hear a heading you want to learn more about, down arrow through the content of that heading. There is an audio demonstration file (MP3 format) that you can open and listen to, or download to put on a device. When you are finished move to the link at the bottom of this page titled "BACK" to go to the "Simple Windows Lessons" web page.
Ease of Access Center: The area where you can start free Windows accessibility programs.
Narrator is the free Windows screen reader. It is not as powerful as screen readers such as JAWS, WinEyes, or NVDA, but will do in emergencies.
Magnifier is the free Windows screen enlarger. It is not as powerful as screen enlargers such as ZoomText, Magic or iZoom, but will do in emergencies, or if you have a good amount of vision.
Key Command: Windows key u brings up the Ease of Access Center.
Key Command: Alt F4 closes the Ease of Access Center.
If you get a new computer, or or going to use a computer that does not have a screen reader or screen enlarger, there is a temporary solution you can use until you have installed a program that does give you full access. It is called the "Ease of Access Center," and can be reached by pressing and holding down the Windows key and hitting the letter u. When the Ease of Access Center comes up you can begin tabbing through the different options. Tab and you will hear the following items: "Start Magnifier, Start Narrator, Start On-Screen Keyboard, Set up High Contrast," and then a number of links. The links are: "Use the computer without a display; Make the Computer Easier to see; Use the Computer without a mouse or keyboard; Make the mouse easier to use; Make the keyboard easier to use; Use text or visual alternatives for sounds; Make it easier to focus on tasks." Open the Ease of Access Center with the Windows key u key combination. Move through the Ease of Access Center with Tab and Shift Tab to become familiar with this area. If you are running a screen reader or screen enlarger do not hit Enter on any of the items. When you are finished, press Alt F4 to close the Ease of Access Center.
1. Press and hold down the Windows key and hit the letter u
2. Tab and Shift Tab through the items in the Ease of Access Center. Do not open any of these items if you are already running a screen reader or screen enlarger.
3. Press Alt F4 to close the Ease of Access Center.
4. Alt Tab to your screen reader or screen enlarger.
5. Press Alt F4 to close your screen reader or screen enlarger.
6. With your screen reader or screen enlarger turned off, press Windows key u, Tab one time and hit the Enter key one time to bring up the Narrator screen reader, or Tab two times and hit Enter to open the Magnifier Screen enlarger.
7. Use the Narrator or Magnifier program to move through the main areas of Windows by Tabbing and Shift Tabbing to see how that program works.
8. Alt Tab to either the Narrator or Magnifier, and Alt F4 to close the program.
9. Hit the Windows key and type the name of your screen reader or screen enlarger and hit the Enter key one time to restart that program, or use the short cut key to restart the program.