Options for Users with Physical Disabilities

Some users are unable to perform certain manual tasks, such as using a mouse or typing two keys at the same time. Other users tend to hit multiple keys or bounce fingers off keys. Physical disabilities or mobility impairments include paralysis, repetitive stress injuries, cerebral palsy, erratic motion tremors, quadriplegia, or lack of limbs or fingers. Many users need keyboards and mouse functions adapted to their particular needs, or they rely exclusively on an alternative input device. Fortunately, a large number of input devices are available to users, including voice input utilities to control the computer with the user's voice and keyboard filters, on-screen keyboards, smaller and larger keyboards, eye-gaze pointing devices and sip-and-puff systems that the user can operate by breath control. For more information about assistive devices and for a catalog of third-party accessibility devices, see the Microsoft Accessibility link on the Web Resources page at https://windows.microsoft.com/windows2000/reskit/webresources .

Keyboard Options

Impaired dexterity can make it difficult for a person to use a standard keyboard; however, keyboard filters built into Windows 2000 compensate somewhat by correcting for erratic motion tremors, slow response time, and similar conditions. Other kinds of keyboard filters include typing aids, such as word prediction and abbreviation expansion tools and add-on spelling checkers. The following sections describe input devices and features that vary from the standard keyboard. These features carry options that adapt the behavior of the keys to specific accessibility needs.

Note

In most cases, it is not possible to apply the same keyboard behavior corrections to pointing devices, such as the mouse. This limitation restricts users with impaired dexterity to keyboard input.

On-Screen Keyboard

Some users have difficulty with both mouse and keyboard. However, they might be able to use an on-screen keyboard with another input method, such as a pointing device, a joystick connecting to the serial port, or the keyboard space bar used as a switch device. An on-screen keyboard is a utility that lets users select keys by using an alternative input mode. Users who can point but not click can use pointing devices, switches, or Morse-code input systems.

Note

You need custom patch cables to operate in switch mode.

Users can set up and customize the Windows 2000 On-Screen Keyboard through the Start menu. The On-Screen Keyboard provides a minimum level of functionality for users with moderate mobility impairments. Many users with physical disabilities need a utility program with higher functionality for daily use. For more information about Windows-based on-screen keyboards, see the Microsoft Accessibility link on the Web Resources page at https://windows.microsoft.com/windows2000/reskit/webresources .

Note

The On-Screen Keyboard is meant to be used as a temporary solution and not as a day-to-day alternative keyboard in place of a third-party on-screen keyboard.

Dvorak Keyboard

The Dvorak keyboard makes the most frequently typed characters on a keyboard more accessible to people who have difficulty typing on the standard QWERTY layout. There are three Dvorak layouts: one for people who use two hands to type, one for people who type with their left hand only, and one for people who type with their right hand only. Dvorak layouts reduce the degree of motion required to type common English text. This might help avoid some kinds of repetitive strain injuries associated with typing. You can either add the Dvorak keyboard as part of the Setup program or add it later. To configure the Dvorak keyboard, use the Keyboard icon in Control Panel.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts are of paramount importance to users with disabilities. They are immeasurably valuable to users in nearly all categories of disabilities. These ALT commands and CTRL keys can help the user navigate through Windows 2000 more easily. Even without configuring accessibility features, the user can use the TAB key in dialog boxes to move the focus and then use the arrow keys to select items in a list. In property sheets that have multiple tabs, the user can select each property sheet in order from left to right. In Active Desktop, the user can add shortcut keys to the Start menu.

For more information about keyboard shortcuts, including shortcut keys, see Windows 2000 Help.

For more information about keyboard shortcuts, including an extensive list of accessibility keyboard shortcuts, see "Appendix H – Accessibility" in the Microsoft   Windows   98 Resource Kit.

For more information about keyboard-only commands, accessibility shortcuts, and Microsoft® Natural® Keyboard keys, see the Microsoft Accessibility link on the Web Resources page at https://windows.microsoft.com/windows2000/reskit/webresources .

Hot Keys for Accessibility Features

Accessibility hot keys provide an immediate method of activating accessibility features for people who cannot use the computer without first having accessibility features in effect. A type of shortcut, hot keys let the user turn on a specific feature temporarily. Then, after a feature has been turned on, users can use the Accessibility Wizard or Accessibility Options in Control Panel to adjust the feature to individual preferences or to turn the feature on permanently. The same hot key temporarily turns off the feature if it gets in the way or if another person wants to use the computer without this feature.

Hot keys are designed to be unique key combinations that should not conflict with keys that programs use. If such a conflict does arise, the user can turn the hot keys off and still use the feature as needed. In a typical installation of Windows 2000, the accessibility hot keys are inactive to prevent them from conflicting with other programs.

StickyKeys for One-Finger or Mouthstick Typing

Many software programs require the user to press two or three keys at a time. For people who type using a single finger or a mouthstick, that is not possible. StickyKeys lets the user press one key at a time and instructs Windows to respond as if the keys are pressed simultaneously.

For shared computers, there is an optional feature to keep other users from being confused when StickyKeys is left on. If the option Turn StickyKeys Off If Two Keys Are Pressed at Once is activated, StickyKeys detects that two keys are held down simultaneously and automatically turns the StickyKeys feature off.

Some people do not like to have keyboard sounds, while others find them useful. Users can turn feedback sounds on or off in the StickyKeys properties by selecting the option Make Sounds When Modifier Key Is Pressed .

FilterKeys for Users with Impaired Manual Dexterity

Windows 2000 includes keyboard filters that work separately or combined to make input easier for users who have difficulty with the keyboard due to slow response time, erratic motion tremors, or a tendency to inadvertently hit or bounce off the keys. With the FilterKeys feature, users can adjust keyboard response time, and allow accidental pressing of keys and slow response time.

ToggleKeys for Users Who Inadvertently Brush Against the Lock Keys

ToggleKeys instructs Windows to play a high or low beep when the lock keys NUM LOCK, CAPS LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK are activated. This sound signals the user that one of these keys has been activated.

Mouse Options

Users with mobility impairments can now choose among options for size, color, and animation schemes. With the Mouse icon in Control Panel, users can adjust mouse properties to increase the pointer's visibility. This customizable feature, although not specifically for users with disabilities, is useful to users with visual impairment.

Adjusting Mouse Properties

With the Mouse icon in Control Panel, users can make the mouse pointer automatically move to the default buttons, such as OK or Apply, in dialog boxes, and can reverse the buttons so that the right button is the primary button. Users can also adjust other mouse settings, such as pointer rate of speed and acceleration; left-right orientation; and cursor size, color, shape, time between clicks, and animation. By selecting I am blind or have difficulty seeing things on screen and I have difficulty using the keyboard or mouse , users can set several accessibility Mouse options in the Accessibility Wizard.

MouseKeys for Keyboard-Only Input

Although Windows 2000 is designed so that users can perform all actions without a mouse, some programs might still require one, and a mouse might be more convenient for some tasks. MouseKeys in Control Panel is also useful for graphic artists and others who need to position the pointer with great accuracy. A user does not need to have a mouse to use this feature. With MouseKeys, users can control the mouse pointer with one finger, a mouthstick, or a headpointer by using the numeric keypad to move the mouse pointer. With this method, users can click, double-click, and move objects with both mouse buttons. When MouseKeys is activated, it emits a rising tone if sounds are turned on.