Windows 2000 Accessibility Features

Windows 2000 comes bundled with three simple assistive technology applications. These are not full-featured apps, but they provide a basic level of access to all Windows 2000 workstations in the Unity labs. Specifically, the applications are Narrator (a screen reader), Magnifier (a screen magnification program), and On-Screen Keyboard. The Windows 2000 Accessibility Features come standard on all Unity Windows 2000 workstations.

Starting Win2K Accessibility Features
There are many ways to start each of the applications described in this document:

Each app has an icon in the Novell Application Launcher (NAL)
Each app can be launched from the Start Menu (Start | Programs | Accessories | Accessibility)
Each app can be started automatically each time you login, by adding a shortcut to your Startup folder. Please contact Ricky Lee if you need assistance with this process.

Using Narrator
Narrator is a simple screen reader for persons with visual impairments. Here are some common functions:

To read an entire window, select the window and then press CTRL+SHIFT+SPACEBAR.
To get information about the current item, press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER.
To get a more detailed description of an item, press CTRL+SHIFT+INSERT.
To read the contents of an edit field, press CTRL+SHIFT+ENTER, or use the arrow keys.
To silence the speech, press CTRL.
To switch to another program, press ALT+TAB.
To go to the next button or tool, press TAB. To go back, press SHIFT+TAB.
To select an item in a drop-down list, use the arrow keys.
To select a check box or option button, press SPACEBAR.

Using Magnifier
Magnifier is a simple screen magnification program for persons with low vision. It displays all magnification in a separate window, which by default appears across the top of the screen. The magnification window can be moved by clicking and dragging the window, after which it can be resized by clicking and dragging its borders. When Magnifier starts, the Magnifier Settings dialog is on top, and allows you to change the following options:

Magnification Level (1 through 9)
Tracking - Magnifier can be set to track the mouse cursor, keyboard focus, or text editing
Colors - Magnifier can be set to display inverse or high contrast colors

As with all Win2K accessibility apps, the changes you make to Magnifier's settings will be saved in your roaming profile, and will be active the next time you start Magnifier.

Using On-Screen Keyboard
On-Screen Keyboard is a utility that displays a virtual keyboard on your screen and allows users with mobility impairments to type data using a pointing device or joystick. On-Screen Keyboard has three typing modes you can use to type data. The typing mode is changed from within the Settings menu:

Clicking mode - the user clicks the on-screen keys with his/her pointing device
Hover mode - the users selects a particular key by pointing to it for a pre-defined period of time.
Scanning mode - On-Screen Keyboard continually scans and highlights areas of the keyboard (first entire rows, than individual keys within a selected row). The user can select a key by pressing a designated hotkey (e.g., space, Enter, or a function key) or by activating a switch on workstations that are switch-equipped.

As with all Win2K accessibility apps, the changes you make to On-Screen Keyboard's settings will be saved in your roaming profile, and will be active the next time you start On-Screen Keyboard.