Computer accessibility Hearing-impaired people and those with limited dexterity

Computer accessibility for hearing-impaired people

Adding visual alerts for the hearing-impaired

To improve computing accessibility, hearing-impaired people can enable flashing elements on screen to alert them to PC problems. 

From the main Ease of Access Center, click the blue link marked Use text or visual alternatives for sounds. 

Under Choose visual warning, click on a type of alert that suits you (for example, a flashing active window) click Save.

Computer accessibility for those with limited dexterity

Adjust mouse settings to make your computer more accessible

To change the appearance of your mouse cursor, click the blue Make the mouse easier to use link on the main Ease of Access screen. 

Select the type of pointer you prefer under the heading Mouse pointers.

Find out more about what you can do with your computer's mouse with the Which? guide to using your mouse.

StickyKeys

This tool bypasses the need to press several keys simultaneously when performing functions (for example Ctrl + Alt + Delete to switch users). 

Instead, you’ll only need to press one key at a time. 

To turn on StickyKeys, go to the Ease of Access Center. Click the blue link Make the keyboard easier to use and tick the box Turn on StickyKeys.

FilterKeys

Computer keyboards can be very sensitive to the touch. By turning on FilterKeys your computer will ignore keys held down for several seconds. 

To turn on FilterKeys, click the blue Make the keyboard easier to use link and put a tick in the Turn on FilterKeys box. 

For more options click the blue Set up FilterKeys link.

ToggleKeys

Turn this function on and your PC will emit a beeping sound whenever the Caps Lock, Scroll Lock or Num Lock keys are pressed. 

To turn on ToggleKeys, first go to the Ease of Access Center. Click the blue link called Make the keyboard easier to use and put a tick in the Turn on ToggleKeys box.

Windows XP Users

All these features (except voice recognition) are available to Windows XP users (though the interface isn’t as attractive as in Vista). 

To access these, go to Start > Settings > Control Panel and click Accessibility options and click on the individual tabs.