• Customising the Computer

• Keyboard Shortcuts

• Accessibility on Apple Mac Systems

• Generic assistive programs

There are countless online resources available on access to computers.  Listed below are some of the guides that are available.  There are probably others not listed that are just as good, perhaps better.  Those listed below are fairly representative of what is available.

Note: In the final resource, links will open in a new window.

Customising the Computer

Resource Guide for People with a Disability

Microsoft

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/guides/default.aspx

This page provides links to a range of tutorials and other resources for using generic Microsoft applications, and how you can adapt them to suit your needs.  There are also some helpful resources listing keyboard shortcuts.

Customising Generic programs

AbilityNet – My Computer My Way

http://www.abilitynet.org.uk/myway/index.htm

This is an excellent resource with practical factsheets on:

• Making Text Easier to See

• Making Your Mouse Pointer Easier to See

• Choosing Your Preferred Colours

• Making Your Computer Talk

• Making Your Mouse Easier to Use

• Making Your Keyboard Easier to Use

• Talking to Your Computer

• Choosing Your Preferred Colours

• Choosing Your Preferred Text Style

• Talking to Your Computer

Macros Access FAQ

Cantor Access Inc.

http://www.cantoraccess.com/macro-docs/macrosfaq.htm

This guide gives advice on how to use macros to speed up the use of Windows and Windows applications.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Use the Help function in the program, searching by keyword ‘keyboard’.

This can give you quick access to incredibly valuable shortcuts that we could all benefit from using!  (A great example of Universal Design!)

Navigating Windows by Keyboarding

http://www.opendoorworld.com/key-index.shtml

Comprehensive information but ironically a bit hard to read

Launching applications easily with a key-press or two

Education Queensland

http://education.qld.gov.au/curriculum/learning/students/disabilities/resources/tutorials/shortcut.doc

Contents include:

• Setting up a keyboard shortcut

• Adding a program shortcut to the Start Menu

• Launching a program automatically at start-up or

• Launching a program from a shortcut on the Windows Desktop

Talking Typing Tutor for Windows

http://www.talktypetutor.com/index.html

This Typing Tutor program has been written for people with a disability, especially people with a vision impairment or with a learning difficulty.

A demo copy of the program can be downloaded (11MB) from the site.

The program works with Windows 98/Me/2000/XP.

Open Door World

http://opendoorworld.org/key-index.shtml

Contents include:

• General Windows Keys

• Desktop and Taskbar Navigation Keys

• Windows Explorer keys

• Text Navigation and Editing Keys

• Accessibility Keys

• Shortcut Keys for Applications or Documents

• MS Word text formatting keys

• MS Internet Explorer with JAWS

• MS Office 2000 Shortcut Keys

• 221 Microsoft Word Short Cuts

• Microsoft Outlook keys

• JAWS - Quick Reference Keys  

Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft products

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/keyboardassist.aspx

Accessibility on Apple Mac Systems

Accessibility

Apple

http://www.apple.com/accessibility/

There are many accessibility options built into Mac Operating Systems.  Third party assistive programs are also listed.

The Keyboard

Developer Connection

http://developer.apple.com/documentation/UserExperience/Conceptual/OSXHIGuidelines/XHIGUserInput/chapter_2_section_3.html

This page gives a lot of information about keyboard shortcuts and keyboard navigation using a Mac.

Freeware/Shareware - Assistive Software (for Windows and Mac)

Trace Centre

http://trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/multi/sharewar.htm

Generic assistive programs

Magnifier

Magnifier is a feature of Windows 98, Me, 2000, and XP, and can be turned on and off easily.  Microsoft itself states that Magnifier is intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with slight visual impairments.

Magnifier is really only functional at 2 times magnification, although you could use it at 3 times at a pinch.  It really is good as a “fall back” option.

To open Magnifier:

w        Using the keyboard, press CTRL+ESC, press R, type magnify, and then press ENTER.

w        Using the mouse, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.

For information about Magnifier, go to the Help and Support from the start menu (CNTRL + ESC).

For more information, go to this Microsoft site, and go down the page until you find the line for Magnifier.  This page lists all Accessibility Features of Windows, according to the version:

http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/chartwindows.aspx

Narrator

Narrator is a text–to–speech utility in Windows for people who are blind or have low vision. Narrator reads what is displayed on the screen—the contents of the active window, menu options, or text that has been typed.

For more information go to the section on Narrator at the Microsoft site [http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsxp/usingnarrator.aspx].

Freeware/Shareware - Assistive Software (for Windows and Mac)

Trace Centre

http://trace.wisc.edu/world/computer_access/multi/sharewar.htm

Links to free or low cost downloads of assistive software

Adaptech, Dawson College

http://www.neads.qc.ca/adaptech/fandi_en.php

This is a collection of resources in categories such as cursor enhancement, screen magnification, and text-to-speech.

For more important information on converting materials, go to:

What to consider when converting materials in accessible formats (CD)