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Microsoft Windows offers a number of accessibility options which can be used with WinEcon. |
WinEcon has been designed to be used with a mouse. However, if you are unable to use a mouse and/or would prefer to use the keyboard you can set your Numeric Key Pad to perform the same functions as a mouse.
diagram below shows the numeric key pad and the functions of the mouse keys.
To set your numeric key pad to work as mouse keys access Microsoft Windows Accessibility Options from the Start menu Control Panel.
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Using the Windows Start button on your desktop open up the Control Panel from the Start Menu. Select Accessibility Options and then the Mouse tab. |
To alter the settings for the Mousekeys click on the 'Settings' button to display the window as shown below.
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The Use Shortcut option allows you to turn the MouseKey function on and off from the keyboard without having to access this window again. You can also set the Pointer Speed and the keyboard control for this function. If you set the MouseKey status to be shown on screen you will see the icon on your Toolbar as described below. Having set the options for the MouseKeys click OK and then tick the 'Use MouseKeys' option and click Apply. |
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Left click mouse button selected |
Right click mouse button selected |
Both mouse buttons selected |
Both mouse buttons locked |
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To use the mouse keys to scroll or to 'drag and drop' you need to set your Mouse Key so that both buttons are selected and locked. You then use the directional 'move' keys. |
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On this WinEcon screen you are asked to move the example monopolies to the correct classification box. Having selected the example using the MouseKey in the 'both buttons locked' mode with the cursor arrow pointing at the selection, 'drag' the selection to the required position on screen and then press 5 or + on the numeric key pad to 'drop' the selection. |
Magnifier is a display utility that makes the screen more readable for users who have impaired vision. Magnifier creates a separate window that displays a magnified portion of your screen. You can also change the colour scheme of the magnification window for easier visibility. You can move or resize the Magnifier window, or drag it to the edge of the screen and lock it into place. Magnifier is intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with slight visual impairments.
To access the Magnifier hold down the Windows key on the desktop toolbar and press the U key to start up the Utility Manager.
Then press the Start button on the Options for Magnifier to display the Magnifier Settings window.
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When you start the Magnifier you will see this Magnifier Settings window. You can set the magnification level from 1-9 and the tracking options. For WinEcon you will need at least the 'Follow mouse cursor' option selected. The Presentation options allow you to choose how the Magnifier displays. When Magnifier is open, you can right-click the magnification window to set these Magnifier options, or to hide or exit Magnifier. |
- To open Magnifier, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.
- To open Magnifier using the keyboard, press CTRL+ESC, press R, type magnify, and then press ENTER.
- Utility Manager enables users to check an Accessibility program's status and start or stop an Accessibility program. Users with administrator-level access can designate to have the program start when Utility Manager starts. Users can also start Accessibility programs before logging on to the computer on by pressing the Windows logo key + U at the Welcome to Windows dialog box that appears when Windows starts.
- The accessibility tools that ship with Windows are intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with special needs. Most users with disabilities will need utility programs with more advanced functionality for daily use.
Below are a series of screenshots of WinEcon with the Magnifier in use in various configuations. The desktop display properties have been set to 'None' to give a blue background to make viewing clearer.
When you start up the Magnifier with WinEcon running your screen will look similar to the screenshot below.
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The desktop display properties have been set to 'None' to give a blue background to make viewing clearer. To set desktop properties right click on desktop, select Properties and then the Desktop tab. Select 'None' and click OK. You can resize the Magnifier window by dragging the bottom of the frame down as shown below. |
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In the set up below the desktop display properties have been set to 'None' to give a blue background. WinEcon has been positioned in the bottom corner of the screen display leaving as much room at the top of the screen for the Magnifier window. The Magnifier window has been resized to fit the space at the top of the screen and the magnification has been set to level 2.
The screenshot below shows the magnification at its highest at level 9.
Magnifier also lets you change the colour scheme of the magnification window which may make visibility easier.
Below is a screenshot of WinEcon showing how the display in the Magnifier window is affected by inverting the colours.
Utility Manager is an accessibilty feature of Microsoft Windows which can be accessed from Start | Programs | Accessories or by holding down the Windows key and pressing U on your keyboard.
Utility Manager enables users to check an accessibility program's status and start or stop an accessibility program. Users with administrator-level access can designate to have the program start when Utility Manager starts. Users can also start accessibility programs before logging on to the computer by pressing the Windows logo key + U at the Welcome screen.
The built-in accessibility programs available from the Utility Manager are Magnifier, Narrator, and On-Screen Keyboard. Narrator, a text-to-speech program, starts when Utility Manager opens. This gives users who are blind or have impaired vision immediate access to Utility Manager.
Using Utility Manager, you can tell Windows to automatically start accessibility programs each time you log on to your computer, when you lock your computer desktop, or when Utility Manager starts. For example, you can specify that Magnifier start automatically the next time you log on to your computer. This eliminates the need for you to go through the steps of opening Magnifier each time you log on to your computer.
- Open Utility Manager by pressing the Windows logo key + U.
- You can also open Utility Manager by clicking Start, pointing to All Programs, pointing to Accessories, pointing to Accessibility, and then clicking Utility Manager. Please note, however, that you will have limited program management capabilities. You will only be able to start or stop accessibility programs from within Utility Manager.
- If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may prevent you from using Utility Manager.
- The accessibility tools that ship with Windows are intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with special needs. Most users with disabilities will need utility programs with more advanced functionality for daily use.
The Accessibility Wizard helps you to configure Windows for your vision, hearing and mobility needs.
To open the Accessibility Wizard click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Accessibility Wizard.