Description of the Device
All computer operating systems, or OS, allow you to adjust your system control options in order to customize these settings and meet individual needs. Options include mouse size and speed, keyboard control, font size and color, and many others. These settings can all be easily changed in the accessibility category on your computer.
- To find these settings open the start menu usually found in the bottom left of your screen.
- Then click ‘settings’, or sometimes ‘control panel’ to access your computer’s settings.
- Look for ‘accessibility’ or ‘ease of access’ as options and click. There you should find all of the adjustments you can make to your computer to suit your needs.
Here are some examples of common adjustments that make computer use easier and more efficient.
Filter Keys prevent a key from making multiple letters for users who may dwell on a key too long and end up with multiple letters and symbols by mistake. This setting allows you to require a certain amount of time to press the key before it is activated.
Mouse speed can be adjusted so that it is more, or less sensitive to movement. Slowing down the mouse is great for individuals who can move the mouse, but may have tremors or involuntary movements. Speeding up the mouse is good for those who have limited motion, requiring less effort to move across the screen.
The mouse can also leave a trail to make it more visible when moving across a screen
Visibility settings can greatly impact the ease of using a computer for those with low vision. You can increase the size of the cursor, or font so they are easy to see. You can also change the color settings to provide more contrast, which provides visibility.