Using the Control Panel to Set Accessibility Options

Accessibility Options

Using the Control Panel to Set Accessibility Options

You can turn the accessibility features on or off, and customize the keyboard, sound, display, and mouse operations to meet your needs by using Control Panel also. The Control Panel in Windows 98 controls most of the operating system's accessibility features.

The Control Panel has four icons that will help you adjust your accessibility settings. Within each icon is a grouping of related features that you access through tabs on dialog boxes.

Using the Accessibility Options

To use the Accessibility option through control panel follow these steps :

? Click the Start menu or press CTRL+ESC. ? Select Settings. ? Select Control Panel.

? Select the Accessibility Options icon.

The Accessibility Options feature in Windows 98 has five tabs from which you can select. The tabs are: Keyboard, Sound, Display, Mouse, and General. You can use keyboard shortcuts to turn on some features. You can also elect to see and/or hear a status indicator which lets you know when an accessibility option is in use. The procedures for changing the settings on each tab are described below.

Using the Keyboard Tab

The Keyboard tab enables you to:

• Change settings for using StickyKeys, FilterKeys (which includes BounceKeys, SlowKeys, and RepeatKeys), and ToggleKeys. • Elect to see extra keyboard help while you are working, if it is available.

Altering the StickyKeys Settings

StickyKeys is designed for people who have difficulty holding down two of more keys at a time. When a shortcut requires a key combination, such as CTRL+P, StickyKeys will enable you to press one key at a time instead of pressing them simultaneously.

Use StickyKeys if you want to use the SHIFT, CTRL, or ALT key by pressing one key at a time.

Use the shortcut

Once you have decided to use StickyKeys, you can elect to use the StickyKeys shortcut to turn this feature on or off.

To use the shortcut :

• Press SHIFT five times.

Accessibility Properties: Keyboard tab

StickyKeys settings dialog box

To Change the settings for StickyKeys, follow these steps :

1. On the Keyboard tab:

• Click the Use StickyKeys check box.

2. To use the shortcut and access other settings:

• Click Settings.

3. In the Settings for StickyKeys dialog box:

• Click the Use shortcut check box.

4. To receive a sound or visual notification:

• Click the appropriate check box.

5. Click OK.

Changing the FilterKeys Settings

Windows 98 includes features designed to work either separately or in combination to address problems related to keyboard sensitivity. These features are grouped together as FilterKeys and are known separately as BounceKeys, SlowKeys, and RepeatKeys.

When FilterKeys is on, the computer ignores brief or repeated keystrokes, or slows the repeat rate.

Settings for FilterKeys: Ignore repeated keystrokes

Settings for StickyKeys dialog box

To change settings for FilterKeys follow these steps:

1. On the Keyboard tab:

• Click the Use FilterKeys check box.

2. To use the shortcut and access other settings:

• Click Settings.

3. In the Settings for FilterKeys dialog box:

• Click the Use shortcut check box.

4. To receive a sound or visual notification:

• Click the appropriate check box.

5. To ignore repeated keystrokes by using the BounceKeys:

• Click the Ignore repeated keystrokes check box.

6. To control which repeated keystrokes to ignore:

• Click Settings.

7. In the Advanced Settings for FilterKeys dialog box:

• Move the slider to adjust the timing. • You can test the timing rate by clicking Testing area and then typing in the space provided.

8. Click OK.

Settings for FilterKeys: Ignore quick keystrokes and slow down the repeat rate

Changing the ToggleKeys Settings

ToggleKeys provide sound cues when pressing the CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, and SCROLL LOCK keys.

Use the shortcut

Once you have decided to use ToggleKeys, you can elect to use the ToggleKeys shortcut to turn this feature on or off.

To use the shortcut

• Press the NUM LOCK key for five seconds.

Accessibility Properties: Keyboard tab

Settings for ToggleKeys dialog box

Note:

You can restore the default settings on the Set Wizards Options page by clicking theRestore Default Settings button.