Introducing Windows 2000 Professional

Windows 2000 Professional provides new and customizable accessibility features that provide users with disabilities better access to the programs and applications they need. For example, these new features allow you to:

Override Defaults for Multiple-User Customized Settings.    Administrators can set a wider range of accessibility and other options for groups by using Control Panel, Accessibility wizard, and Utility Manager.

Quickly and Easily Navigate Windows 2000 Professional.    Special features, such as hot keys and Active Desktop, facilitate access to objects on the desktop, Windows Explorer, other servers on the network, or Internet Explorer 5. These features also give quick access to Windows 2000 Professional and help users open folders and create their individualized settings.

Use a Wider Range of Assistive Technology.    With Microsoft Active Accessibility, applications work more effectively with system extensions, applications, devices, and other third-party add-on accessibility aids, such as speech-recognition products. Invisible to the user, Active Accessibility is integrated into the Windows 2000 Professional operating system.

Use Human Interface Devices.    Windows 2000 Professional supports the Human Interface Device (HID) firmware specification, a new standard for input and output devices such as drawing tablets, keyboards, universal serial bus (USB) speakers, and other devices designed to improve accessibility.

Customize Input Methods.    Windows 2000 Professional has expanded configurations of keyboards, including On-Screen Keyboard, special mouse settings, and other options, allowing users to customize their user-interface (UI) schemes.

Configure Options Through a Single Entry Point.    Located on the Start menu, Accessibility wizard is a tool that allows administrators and users to set up their computers quickly with the most commonly used features to suit individual needs.

Magnify a Portion of the Screen for an Enlarged Display.    Several built-in, limited-use features, such as Magnifier, make it possible for users to work free from their customary assistive devices.

Maneuver Within Windows 2000 Professional.    Utility Manager, personalized keyboard options, and keyboard shortcuts assist users with their work in applications.

Set Sound Options to Suit Individualized Hearing Needs.    In addition to customizable features, such as volume adjustment and multimedia options, several accessibility features, such as ShowSounds and SoundSentry, give people with hearing impairments control of their audio environment.

Set Options for Users with Vision Requirements.    Specialized features include Narrator, a text-to-speech tool that is built into Windows 2000 Professional; ToggleKeys, a feature that gives audio cues when the user presses certain locking keys; and event cues under Sounds and Multimedia in Control Panel.

Use Keyboard Filters to Customize Keys to Aid Various Cognitive, Hearing, Mobility, and Vision Needs.    The FilterKeys feature adjusts keyboard response time and ignores accidental pressing of keys.

Assign Contrast, Color, Timing, and Sizing Schemes for Screen Elements.    Expanded ranges of screen elements, such as high-visibility mouse pointers, high-contrast color schemes, and Accessibility Wizard give users options that suit their needs and preferences.

For more information about the accessibility features in Windows 2000 Professional, see Accessibility for People with Disabilities in this book.