Windows Users
If you have Windows98, the Accessiblity Wizard will walk you through the access options available on your system (Go to Start, choose Programs, choose Accessories, choose Accessiblity, choose Accessibility Wizard). By asking a series of questions, Win98 will configure your system for optimal accessibility. For those with low vision, the Wizard increases the size of fonts, icons, and cursors. For those who cannot control a mouse, the pointer can be moved, clicked, and double clicked with the numeric keypad instead of the mouse with MouseKeys.
People who often type multiple characters or hit keys accidentally will appreciate SlowKeys, RepeatKeys, and BounceKeys, which tell the computer to ignore keys unless they are held for a specified time. The screen can be set to blink when the computer makes a sound for people with hearing impairments with SoundSentry. Those who type with one finger, toe, or typing stick find activating two and three key combinations simultaneously difficult if not impossible. The StickyKeys feature allows users activate multi-key commands by pressing keys one at a time.
SerialKeys allows using augmentative communication devices to send input to the computer through their devices, rather than the keyboard or mouse. A handy feature of the wizard is that an individual can save their access settings to a floppy disk, making them easy to load onto any computer he or she uses. Windows98 also includes a screen enlarging program which enlargers the screen around the cursor up to 9 times, displaying it in a rectangle box at the top of the screen. Users can also set the colors on the screen to a higher contrast or invert the colors for easier viewing.
If you do not want to use the Wizard, or, if you have Windows98, you can adjust accessibility settings through the Accessibility Control Panel (Go to Start, select Settings, select Control Panels, select Accessibility.) With the Access Pak for Windows or AccessDos, even older computers can be made accessible. Microsoft has plans to continue adding accessibility features to future versions of their operating systems and applications. More information on these efforts can be found on Microsoft's Accessibility web site.
Macintosh Users
For Macintosh users, accessibility features can be found in the Easy Access Control panel (go to the Apple menu, select Control Panels, and then Easy Access). In Easy Access, you can set MouseKeys, SlowKeys, and Sticky
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