Built in features & Settings

Microsoft Windows includes a suite of accessibility features designed to assist individuals with low vision. These built-in tools encompass screen readers for spoken interface feedback, screen magnifiers for enlarging on-screen content, and speech recognition for voice-activated control, enhancing the overall accessibility and usability of the system for users with visual impairments. Additionally, Windows offers various customization options, such as adjusting text size, cursor settings, color filters, contrast themes, and visual effects, allowing users to tailor their computing experience to their specific needs, making technology more accessible to a broader user base.

Narrator

The narrator allows the user to operate its computer without a mouse to perform common, everyday tasks. It reads and communicates with onscreen things, such as text and buttons, with simple words is a screen reader.

Using Narrator lets the user read and write emails, browse the web, and work with documents.

When Narrator is activated, reads the headlines or the first sentences/paragraphs of the page you are screening.

Narrator is set by default in English. If the United Kingdom English which is installed together with your native language isn’t understood, then to change or download another language the user must go to:

Windows → Settings → Time & Language → Language & Region 

and then download English United States or the language which is preferable.

This software, like others, also contains a set of instructions-commands with keyboard shortcuts for the convenience of the people using it.

General Commands

Magnifier 

The Magnifier enlarges part or all the user’s screen in order to see words and pictures better. It has a frame with buttons to increase and decrease the screen and is useful because the screen moves when the mouse is moved.

Magnifier is a screen magnifier application that can be used when running Microsoft Windows. When used, it creates a line at the top of the screen that greatly magnifies where the mouse is located.

General Commands 

Windows Speech Recognition

Speech recognition is a built-in feature of the Microsoft Windows operating system that allows users to control their computers and interact with various applications using voice commands.

Once speech recognition is activated, the user can use voice commands to perform various tasks, such as opening applications, navigating the desktop, browsing the web, and dictating text in documents or emails.

Before the user sets up the Speech Recognition in Windows 11, he must set up first:

• A microphone

1^st step: Select Windows button (Start) à Settings à Speech
2^nd step: Under Microphone, select the Get Started button.
3^rd step: The Speak Wizard opens, and the set up starts automatically. If identify any issue, you can select the issues and help Speak Wizard to solve them.

1. The PC settings in order to understand their voice

1^st step: Press Windows logo key+Ctrl+S. The Set-up Speech Recognition wizard window opens with an introduction on the Welcome to Speech Recognition page.
2^nd step: Select Next. Follow the instructions on your screen to set up speech recognition. The wizard will guide you through the setup steps.
3^rd step: After the setup is complete, you can choose to take a tutorial to learn more about speech recognition. To take the tutorial, select Start Tutorial in the wizard window. To skip the tutorial, select Skip Tutorial. You can now start using speech recognition.

General Commands 

For ease of use, the user can make the following settings on their computer:

• High contrast mode: text and icons can be more distinct with the high contrast mode provided by Windows.
• Screen readers: Tools such as Narrator or third-party options such as JAWS can read screen content, including icons and settings, aloud.
• Magnification: content and icons can be enlarged due to the Magnifier or third-party options.

Accessibility Settings

Windows software has several features that a person with a disability can choose to make it easier for them to work on the computer.

The user can in the first way write/search the menu of Accessibility, otherwise in shortcut keyboard mode can press: Windows logo key + U.

• The options and settings provided in the Accessibility menu for low vision are:

Text size: This setting allows the user to adjust the size of the text that appears throughout the Windows interface. The user can make the text larger or smaller to suit hir/her readability needs.

Visual effects: Visual effects include animations, transitions, and other graphical elements that can be turned off or customized to reduce visual distractions and improve performance.

Mouse pointer and touch: Windows offers settings to customize the appearance and behavior of the mouse pointer. The user can change its size, color, and enable features like pointer trails or snap to default button.

Text cursor: This setting lets the user change the thickness and blinking rate of the text cursor. Adjusting the cursor settings can make it easier to locate and track when typing.

Color filters: Color filters allow users to change the color palette of the entire screen to improve visibility and reduce eye strain. The users can set color filters to grayscale, inverted colors, or custom color schemes.

Contrast themes: Windows includes high-contrast themes that provide a visually distinct interface with high contrast between foreground and background elements. Theme themes can make text and UI elements more legible.