Overview of accessibility features in Windows 10
Adapted from Accessibility in Windows 10
The Ease of Access Center provides a centralized location in the Control Panel where you can adjust accessibility settings and programs. You can also get recommendations for settings to make your PC easier to see, hear, and use.
The Center can be accessed by going to Start Menu → Control Panel → Ease of Access Center. It includes the following:
- Magnifier: Magnifies the screen or a portion of the screen to make text, images, and objects easier to see.
- On-Screen Keyboard: A visual, on-screen keyboard with all the standard keys that you can use instead of a physical keyboard. On-Screen Keyboard also lets you type and enter data with a mouse or other pointing device.
- Narrator: Reads aloud on-screen text and describes some events (such as error messages appearing) that happen while you're using the computer.
- Speech Recognition: Enables you to interact with your computer using only your voice while maintaining, or even increasing, your productivity.
- Font Size: Lets you make text and objects larger and easier to see without losing graphics quality.
- Personalization: You can add a personal touch to your computer by changing the computer's theme, color, sounds, desktop background, screen saver, font size, and user account picture. You can also select specific gadgets for your desktop.
- Keyboard shortcuts: Keyboard combinations of two or more keys that, when pressed, can be used to perform a task that would typically require a mouse or other pointing device. Keyboard shortcuts can make it easier to interact with your computer, saving you time and effort.
- Keyboard and Mouse Utilities: Sticky Keys lets you press keys sequentially instead of having to press two or more keys at once, such as when you must press the CTRL, ALT, and DELETE keys simultaneously to log on to Windows. Filter Keys ignores keystrokes that occur in rapid succession and keystrokes that are held down for several seconds unintentionally. Mouse Keys lets you use the arrow keys on the numeric keypad to move the pointer, click, and drag.
- Visual Notifications: Replace system sounds with visual cues, such as a flash on the screen, so system alerts are announced with visual notifications instead of sounds.
Overview of accessibility features in Mac Mojave (10.14) and Catalina (10.15)
Adapted from Mac Accessibility Support
If you are unable to see the screen, OS X includes VoiceOver, a built-in screen reader. Using VoiceOver, you control your Mac with the keyboard or a refreshable braille display.
- To turn on VoiceOver, press Command-F5.
- To customize VoiceOver, press Control-Option-F8 (when VoiceOver is on).
- To learn how to use VoiceOver, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, click VoiceOver, then click Open VoiceOver Training.
- For help with VoiceOver, choose Help > VoiceOver Help while VoiceOver Utility is open.
If items on the screen are too small, you can zoom in to make content larger.
- To set zoom options, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Zoom.
If you have trouble using the keyboard, you can turn on Sticky Keys and Slow Keys, to make it easier to press keys.
- To set these options, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Keyboard.
If you have trouble using a mouse, you can turn on Mouse Keys, then use the keyboard or numeric keypad to move the mouse pointer and press the mouse button.
- To set this option, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Mouse & Trackpad.
If motion on the screen is problematic, you can set an option to reduce motion when using certain features, such as Spaces, Notification Center, or the Dock.
- To set the option to reduce motion, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Display.
With Speech options, your Mac can speak the text in dialogs and alert messages, and notify you when an app needs you to do something, such as accept a Messages invitation.
Change how your keyboard, mouse, and trackpad work
- To set options for your keyboard, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Keyboard.
- To set options for your mouse, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Mouse.
- To set options for your trackpad, including gestures, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Trackpad.
(Catalina only) With Voice Control, you can navigate and interact with your device by using your voice to tap, swipe, type, and more.
- To turn on Voice Control, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Voice Control.
(Catalina only) When you enable Hover Text, you can move the pointer over something on the screen—for example, text, an input field, a menu item, or a button—and display a high-resolution zoomed version of it in a separate window.
- To turn on Hover Text, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click Accessibility, then click Zoom. Select Enable Hover Text.