Vol 9, No. 4 Fall 2001	Previous Issues Subscribe to AT Messenger Download PDF Viewer
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Computer Access: Microsoft and Apple Offer Accessibility in Operating Systems

by Michael Meyreles, ATP, New Castle County ATRC

As use of the computer has proliferated, both Microsoft and Apple have recognized the need to make their systems accessible to people with disabilities. Since the advent of their Macintosh Operating System 7, Apple Computer has included many utilities to aid in accessing the computer. Microsoft accessibility has had a slower evolution. With the latest version of Windows, Windows Me (Millennium Edition), many new features have been added.

Windows Me Accessibility

Accessibility options are installed by default during Windows Me setup, making the Accessibility Wizard and accessibility utilities instantly available.

The Accessibility menu now includes On-Screen Keyboard, a virtual keyboard on the computer screen. On-Screen Keyboard provides some functionality for people with mobility impairments (allowing them to type using only the mouse) and can help people who do not know how to type.

The Windows Me Accessibility Wizard has been enhanced to help users more quickly, easily, and completely customize the accessibility options on your computer. The Accessibility Wizard takes the user through a series of questions about vision, hearing, and mobility needs, then customizes Windows Me accessibility settings accordingly. The customized settings can be saved to a disk for use on other Windows Me computers.

Features that were previously only available with the purchase of a special mouse (IntelliMouse(r)) have been integrated into Mouse Options in the Control Panel. These new features include:

• ClickLock-highlight or drag without holding down the mouse button
  
• SnapTo-automatically move the pointer to the default button in a dialog box
  
• Mouse Pointer Visibility Options-show pointer trails, hide pointer while typing, show location of pointer when you press the CTRL key.

The width of the cursor can now be adjusted, making it easier to locate for people who have visual impairments.

The Windows Calculator accessory has been improved as well. Special scripting is no longer needed when using accessibility tools such as Microsoft Magnifier.

The accessibility features in Windows Me build on the options included in earlier versions of Windows, including:

• Microsoft Magnifier-creates a separate window that displays a magnified portion of the screen. Magnifier provides a minimum level of functionality for people who have slight visual impairments.
  
• Sticky Keys simulates simultaneous keystrokes while the user presses only one key at a time.
  
• Filter Keys adjusts the keyboard response so that inadvertently repeated keystrokes are ignored.
  
• Toggle Keys makes the computer sound an alert when certain "locking" keys are pressed.
  
• Sound Sentry provides visual cues for system sounds.
  
• Show Sounds makes applications display captions for audio.
  
• High Contrast improves screen contrast with alternative colors and font sizes designed for easy reading.
  
• Mouse Keys enables navigation with the numeric keyboard instead of the mouse.
  
• Serial Keys allows the use of alternative input devices instead of a keyboard and mouse.
  
• Notification gives warning messages when features are turned on and sound messages when features are turned on or off.

The Macintosh Operating System

In the disability community, it is a well-known fact that the Macintosh operating system has always been one of the most accessible personal computer systems available. The features that make the Macintosh accessible include CloseView screen magnification software, Easy Access system software (Sticky Keys, Slow Keys, Mouse Keys), electronic documentation, key-repeat disable, text-to-speech synthesis and voice recognition (Plain Talk), and visual alert cues. All of these features are included as part of the Macintosh's system software (System 7.x, 8.x, and 9.x).

CloseView is a screen enlarger. It magnifies all screen images (including text, graphics, menu bar, and the mouse cursor) up to 16 times the normal size. In addition, CloseView can invert the Macintosh display (so that text appears white on a black background). Naturally, these features are used most often by individuals with visual impairments.

Easy Access is a control panel extension containing a set of keyboard utilities. These utilities-Mouse Keys, Sticky Keys, and Slow Keys-assist people who might otherwise have difficulty using the keyboard or the mouse. Also included is Talking Alerts (alerts are written on screen as well).

• MouseKeys controls all mouse movements via typing on the numeric keypad. This utility is especially valuable for people who lack the manual dexterity to maneuver a mouse.
  
• Sticky Keys is a software key-latch, meaning it can hold down keys during times when two or three keys must be pressed simultaneously (e.g., typing a capital letter or a question mark). For people with a physical disability who type with one finger or with a mouth wand, this key-latch feature is a helpful tool.
  
• Slow Keys enables the user to change the length of time it takes for a keystroke to be registered on the screen. This allows several keys to be pressed accidentally without effect. For a child or adult with fine motor difficulties, this customizable feature saves unwanted keystrokes from appearing on the screen.

Text-to-Speech allows your computer to speak the alert messages that appear on the screen. There are 26 different voices to choose from. The computer can be set to speak alert messages using the Talking Alerts section of the Speech control panel. In some application programs, the computer can also read text contained in documents aloud.

Plain Talk-Apple Speech Recognition lets the Macintosh understand what the user says, offering a new dimension for interacting with and controlling the computer by voice. The user does not even have to train it to understand his/her voice. Rather, users can speak naturally, without pausing or stopping, and add their own words.

Visual Alerts-Enables a user with hearing difficulty to be alerted to errors and alerts that are typically delivered via sound feedback by delivering such feedback by a blinking menu bar.

For more information about these Microsoft or Apple features, check the web pages below, or contact your local ATRC.

Information for this article has been gathered from the Microsoft (www.microsoft.com/enable) and Apple (www.apple.com/disability) websites.