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Software solutions
There are many different software solutions available to make use of a computer easier and more tailored to you. Below are some of the options.
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Windows Display Options
Screen Shot of the Windows XP Display Properties.
Many people with impaired vision can see some colour combinations better than others. Colour options are available in practically all modern programs, or can be achieved by more basic approaches. Windows has a wide range of pre-defined colour schemes to try.
More Information
- Skillsheet on Choosing your Preferred Colours in Windows (PDF 334KB)
- Factsheet on Vision Impairment and Computing (PDF 227KB)
Accessibility Options
Screen Shot of the Windows XP Accessibility Display Panel and Settings.
You can use the Windows Accessibility Options to select either a default high contrast scheme, or one of your own design, from hot-keys. This is especially useful when using high-contrast features on a computer which may be shared between many users.
More Information
- SkillSheet on Accessibility Options for Windows - Filterkeys (PDF 337KB)
- SkillSheet on Accessibility Options for Windows - Stickykeys (PDF 177KB)
- Factsheet on Vision Impairment and Computing (PDF 227KB)
Magnification
Zoomtext, and Dolphin's Lunar and SuperNova Magnification Software.
A number of programs such as word-processors allow the user to increase the size of the text quite considerably in the window where the document appears. This does not affect the size in which the text is printed out. Most buttons on the toolbar (the row of small pictures at the top of the screen that can perform an operation when clicked with the mouse) can be enlarged also by choosing the right option within the program.
A number of products are available that produce an enlarged image on the computer's screen. The sizes of enlargement possible, the image quality and the method of control vary. Enlarging characters in this way always means that only a portion of the whole screen is visible at any time. Use of such software is relatively simple and is available for DOS and Windows 95/98/NT as well as other operating systems. There are also a number of word-processing packages specifically designed for use with large characters.
More Information
Screen Reading
Jaws, and Dolphin's Hal and SuperNova Screen Reading Software.
It is often thought that a graphical interface such as Windows, with its pictures and "icons", is inaccessible to those without vision. In fact these operating systems are still, in reality, text-based and often pictures are purely cosmetic or accompanied by a text label.
A blind computer user can know what is on the screen by having the necessary information spoken by a synthetic voice. This could include having each character or word echoed back as you type. On computers that can produce sounds and music, the speech output can be produced in a similar way, through the main speakers. In other instances a separate piece of equipment may be required to make the computer talk.
The software programs that control the speech (called "screen readers") vary in their reliability and intelligence. The more sophisticated allow the user effective and reliable "eyes-free" use of the vast majority of Windows programs (as well as some running under other operating systems).
Screen reading software also makes navigation on the internet easier for the visually impaired user, providing that the websites being viewed are accessible.