ACCESS.WRI: Windows Driver Library, Part 1

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.1, 3.11

SUMMARY

The following information is taken from ACCESS.WRI in the Miscellaneous section of Windows Driver Library (WDL). It contains information necessary to install Access Pack for Windows.

Due to the size of the file, ACCESS.WRI is divided into two separate articles.

For more information on WDL, query on the following words:

   WDL and MSDL

MORE INFORMATION

Access Pack for Microsoft Windows

Access via Keyboard, Mouse, and Communication or Computer Access Aids for Individuals with Disabilities

Developed by:

The Trace Research and Development Center Madison, WI.

Revision 2.0 April 1992

For Microsoft Corporation

Mark Novak, Joe Schauer, and Gregg Vanderheiden

Table of Contents

        Introduction to Access Pack
        Installation of Access Pack software
        Automatic Startup of the Access Utility
        Non-Windows Applications' Use of Access Features
        The StickyKeys Feature
        The Keyboard Response Features (SlowKeys, RepeatKeys and

        The MouseKeys Feature
        The ToggleKeys Feature
        The SerialKeys Feature
        The ShowSounds Feature
        The TimeOut Feature

Access Pack for Microsoft Windows makes it easier for users to control the keyboard and mouse when using Windows versions 3.0 or 3.1. It is designed primarily for individuals with motion-related disabilities who may have difficulty using the computer keyboard or mouse, and for individuals who prefer visual feedback in place of sounds.

Access Pack provides the following features:

StickyKeys      allows single-fingered typing
SlowKeys        ignores keys which are pressed accidentally or for a
            short time
RepeatKeys      adjusts or disables the keyboard repeat rate
BounceKeys      ignores keys which are pressed too quickly or at the same
            time
MouseKeys       allows control of the mouse cursor using the keyboard
ToggleKeys      provides audio queues when toggle keys are turned on or off
SerialKeys      allows control of the computer using an alternate input
            device
ShowSounds      provides a visual cue when sounds are generated\177

These features can be used separately or in combination, and can be customized to suit the user's preference. They are all designed so that an individual who requires a feature can turn it on without assistance, as long as the Access Pack is installed. When all features are disabled, individuals who do not need them should not notice that the Access Pack is installed. Therefore, a computer on which Access Pack is installed can be used both by individuals who require it and those who do not.

It is recommended that Access Pack be installed on all computers which may be used by multiple people, such as public or workgroup machines.

The Access Pack software is fully compatible with most hardware configurations. Access Pack consists of three keyboard drivers and a mouse driver, which replace the standard Windows drivers which are used on most hardware. It also includes the Access Utility (ACCESS.EXE), a program that controls the Access function, and a few other files which the Access Utility uses.

Installation of Access Pack software

To install Access Pack by hand

1. Exit Windows to return to the MS-DOS prompt.

2. Open the SYSTEM.INI file by using a text editor.

3. Find the section labeled [boot].

4. In the [boot] section, find the entry labeled "keyboard.drv=".

5. The following entries indicate that you are already running an older version of the Access Pack keyboard driver:

               keyboard.drv=ap-kbd.drv
               keyboard.drv=ap-kbdhp.drv
               keyboard.drv=ap-kbdol.drv
   
      If the entry in the [boot] section of your SYSTEM.INI file
      matches any of these, you need to copy the newer version of
      the corresponding .drv file to the Windows SYSTEM directory.
      For example, if the Access Pack software is located on a
      floppy disk in your A: drive, and your SYSTEM.INI file reads
      "keyboard.drv=ap- kbd.drv", and Windows is installed in the
      WINDOWS directory on drive C:, then you should type the
      following command at the MS-DOS prompt:
   
               copy a:ap-kbd.drv c:\windows\system
   
      The following entries indicate that you are running a keyboard
      driver compatible with a corresponding Access keyboard driver,
   
      If your entry says:         change the entry to:     and   copy file:
      keyboard.drv=keyboard.drv   keyboard.drv=ap-kbd.drv        ap-kbd.drv
      keyboard.drv=kbdhp.drv      keyboard.drv=ap-kbdhp.drv      ap-kbdhp.drv
      keyboard.drv=kbdoli.drv     keyboard.drv=ap-kbdol.drv      ap-kbdol.drv
   
      Instructions for copying the appropriate file to the Windows
      SYSTEM directory are explained in the preceding paragraph.
   
      If your entry does not match any of those listed here, then
      your computer may not be compatible with the Access Pack
      software.  Contact your computer manufacturer to find out if
      your computer can be used with any of the Access Pack keyboard
      drivers.
   
   

6. In the [boot] section, find the entry labeled "mouse.drv=".

   If the entry says "mouse.drv=ap-mou.drv" then you are already running an older version of the Access Pack mouse driver. You need to copy the newer version of the AP-MOU.DRV file to your Windows SYSTEM directory.

   If the entry says "mouse.drv=mouse.drv" then you are running standard keyboard drivers which can be replaced with the corresponding Access driver. Copy the file AP-MOU.DRV to your Windows SYSTEM directory, and edit the entry in SYSTEM.INI to say "mouse.drv=ap-mou.drv".

   If your entry does not match any of those listed here, contact your mouse manufacturer to find out if your mouse is compatible with the Microsoft mouse driver, or if the manufacturer has an Access driver available.

   If you cannot install an Access mouse driver, you will not be able to use the Access Pack MouseKeys feature or control the mouse using the SerialKeys feature, but you will still be able to use the keyboard-related features.

7. Copy the following files from the Access Pack into your Windows directory:

               ACCESS.EXE
               ACCESS.WRI
               ACCESS31.HLP
               ACCESSU.DLL
               IBMMKEYS.BMP
               SKWIN.BMP
   
      For example, if the Access Pack software is on a floppy disk
      in drive A: and Windows is installed in the WINDOWS directory
      on drive C:, then you should type the following commands at
      the MS-DOS prompt:
   
               copy a:access.exe       c:\windows
               copy a:access.wri       c:\windows
               copy a:access31.hlp     c:\windows
               copy a:accessu.dll      c:\windows
               copy a:ibmmkeys.bmp     c:\windows
               copy a:skwin.bmp        c:\windows
   
      Note: If you are running Microsoft Windows version 3.0, you
      should copy the file ACCESS30.HLP instead of ACCESS31.HLP.
   
   

8. Start Windows, and then create a program item for the file ACCESS.EXE.

   For more information about creating program items, see Chapter 3, "Program Manager," in the "Microsoft Windows User's Guide."

Once Windows has been configured to use the Access Pack keyboard driver, the Access features can be activated whenever Windows is running. The individual features can be enabled or disabled, or customized to fit the your preferences, using the Access Utility (ACCESS.EXE).

The Access Utility can be started at any time to adjust these options. Instructions for starting applications are described in Chapter 2, "Application Basics", in the Windows 3.1 Windows User's Guide (or Chapter 2, ""Basic Skills" in the Windows 3.0 Windows User's Guide).

If you would like to have the Access Utility running at all times, you may have it started automatically every time you start Windows.

If you are running Windows 3.1, you should add a program item for the Access Utility to the "StartUp" program group in Program Manager. For detailed instructions, see Chapter 3, "Program Manager", in the Windows 3.1 Windows User's Guide.

If you are running Windows 3.0, you must edit a file called WIN.INI. To edit the WIN.INI file, you must have a word processor or text editor that has the ability to read, write and save a "text" or "ASCII" file. The WIN.INI file should be in the Windows directory (for example, c:\windows). The second or third line in the WIN.INI file contains the instruction "load = ". If a program name or some command appears after the "load = " instruction, just append the Access Utility onto the line by leaving a blank space and then type "access.exe" (without the quotation marks). For example, to have the Access Utility and the Windows clock program start up as icons each time you start Windows, change the WIN.INI load line to read as follows:

        load = clock.exe access.exe

Non-Windows Applications' Use of Access Features

The Disability Access Features StickyKeys, RepeatKeys, SlowKeys, BounceKeys, MouseKeys, ShowSounds, ToggleKeys, and TimeOut will only function for Windows Applications. If you need similar access features in non-Windows applications, you will need to use other programs. Some of these other programs include Terminate and Stay Resident (TSR) programs such as AccessDOS. AccessDOS includes all of the above disability access features for DOS users and is available FREE from IBM (800) 426-7282.\177

The StickyKeys Feature

StickyKeys is a feature that allows people who must type with 1 finger, a mouthstick or a headstick to be able to use modifier keys (SHIFT, CTRL, and ALT keys). With StickyKeys turned on, a person can press a modifier key and then another key in sequence rather than at the same time, to get shifted (modified) characters. To turn StickyKeys on from the keyboard, tap either shift key five times (without disturbing the mouse). If you have the sound features of StickyKeys enabled, you will hear an up-siren tone. To turn off StickyKeys off from the keyboard, tap a shift key five times (you will hear a down-siren if the sound feature is enabled). StickyKeys can also be turned on or off from the StickyKeys dialog box under the "Adjust" menu.

StickyKeys operates in two modes: key latching mode and key locking mode. Tapping ONCE on a modifier key causes it to go into LATCHED mode. If you have the sound features of StickyKeys enabled, a short low beep - high beep will be heard. As soon as the next non-modifier key is pressed the modifier key(s) will be released. Tapping TWICE in succession on a modifier key will put it into LOCKED mode. If you have the sound features of StickyKeys enabled, you will hear a short low - high beep after the first tap and a single high beep after the second tap. Once a modifier key is LOCKED, it will stay "locked down" until that modifier key is hit a third time. Any and all of the modifier keys (SHIFT, CTRL, and ALT) can be latched or locked in combination.

For shared or public use computers, there is an optional "Turn off when pressing Two keys at once" feature to keep non-disabled users from being confused if StickyKeys is accidentally left on. Whenever an able-bodied typist uses a keyboard, they will hold the modifier key down and strike another key simultaneously. If the "Turn off when pressing Two keys at once" shutoff feature is enabled, StickyKeys will detect that two keys are down simultaneously and automatically turn the StickyKeys feature off.

Some people do not like to have keyboard sounds while others find them useful. The ability to turn the different feedback sounds on or off is provided in the StickyKeys dialog box under the "Adjust" menu. Also, it is possible to disable the LOCKED mode of StickyKeys described above if it is not desired.

On United States keyboards or when using "United States" as your country and keyboard layout, StickyKeys treats the modifier keys as identical pairs. In other words, StickyKeys will treat the left and right shift (SHIFT), the left and right control (CTRL), and the left and right alternate (ALT) keys the same. Treating the modifier keys as identical pairs allows the user greater flexibility. For example, if the user entered LOCKED mode by tapping the left shift key twice, they could perform their intended function and exit LOCKED mode by tapping the right shift key once, since the two modifier keys are treated the same.

On non United States keyboards or when not using "United States" as your country or keyboard layout, you may find that your particular international keyboard attempts to distinguish between the left and right modifier keys. In particular, your international keyboard may need to distinguish between the left and right alternate (ALT) keys. This is typically done by giving the right alternate key a new name, instead of just "Alt", it is now called the "AltGr" key. "AltGr" is an abbreviation for "alt-graphics". For international keyboard layouts, StickyKeys will still allow the user to move freely between the left and right shift (SHIFT) or control (CTRL) keys, but you will notice a difference in the behavior of the left and right alternate (ALT) keys. The left alternate key will behave as the standard "Alt" key, typically used to quickly access a menu item, while the right alternate key will behave as the "AltGr" key, which many international keyboards use to access special characters important to their individual languages. Both the "Alt" and the "AltGr" keys can still be used in either LATCHED or LOCKED mode.

The Keyboard Response Features

The Keyboard Response group is a set of functions that modify how the individual keys on the keyboard behave or respond when you press them. If the standard key-repeat feature of your keyboard is too fast, or you don't want it at all, RepeatKeys allows you to slow it down or turn it off. If you bump keys accidentally as you move around on the keyboard and would like to slow the keyboard response down so that it would only accept keys after they have been held down for awhile, SlowKeys will do this for you. If you have a tremor and accidentally type keys twice as you press or release them, BounceKeys can be used to make the computer ignore the extra tap on the keyboard.

The three functions under Keyboard Response, RepeatKeys, SlowKeys, and BounceKeys, are enabled and disabled together as a group. This is done to simplify turning the group on and off from the keyboard. Most people are only interested in using one or two of the functions in the group. This is not a problem. You can individually adjust the functions within this group such that when enabled, unwanted functions will have no effect.

There are two adjustments for the RepeatKeys function. The first setting, "Repeat Rate", allows you to adjust the speed at which the keys will repeat when you hold a key down. The smaller numbers (like 0.3) will make keys repeat faster. If you do not want the keys to repeat at all, then just set the Repeat Rate to OFF. If the Repeat Rate is set to OFF, the Delay until Repeat scroll bar will be disabled. To re-enable the Delay until Repeat, you must select a Repeat Rate other than OFF.

The second setting, "Delay until Repeat", allows you to set the length of time you must hold a key down before it will begin to repeat. If you have trouble releasing a key in time, then set this to a higher or longer setting.

(NOTE: For RepeatKeys to work within Windows 3.0, you must adjust the Control Panel keyboard setting for "Repeat Rate", a sliding bar, all the way to the left for "slow". For RepeatKeys to work within Windows 3.1, you must adjust the Control Panel keyboard setting for "Repeat Rate", a sliding bar, all the way to the left for "slow", and the keyboard setting for "Delay Before First Repeat", another sliding bar, all the way to the right for "short".)

SlowKeys allows you to slow down the keyboard so that keys must be held down for a while before they will be accepted by the computer. This is useful for individuals who could use the keyboard but accidentally bump extra keys when they try to type. By slowing down the response of the keyboard, these extra key bumps are ignored and only the keys that are typed and held down are accepted. SlowKeys only has one setting called "Acceptance Delay". Acceptance Delay allows you to adjust the amount of time that you must hold a key down before it will be accepted by the computer. If you do not want the SlowKeys function to be active, then just set the Acceptance Delay to OFF.

Individuals who tremor or have impaired control of their hands may find that they type two or more of the same letter when they type. They bounce on the same key either when they are pressing it or when they release it, causing extra characters. BounceKeys allows the computer to ignore these quick bounces on the same key, so that only one key is accepted. There is only one setting for BounceKeys, "Debounce Time". The larger the time setting, the longer you will have to wait after you release a key before you can type the same key a second time (up to 2 seconds!). If you do not want the BounceKeys function, then just set the Debounce Time to OFF. When BounceKeys is on, if you want to type the same key twice you just need to pause a bit between the two key presses. BounceKeys does not prevent you from typing other keys quickly.

BounceKeys and SlowKeys cannot be used or both be active (turned on) at the same time. This may seem confusing, but if you have SlowKeys on (e.g. acceptance delay does not equal OFF), it will provide a BounceKeys like function on both the hit and release of each key. While SlowKeys would assist some individuals, it would hinder others since they may only tremor or bounce when they release a key. Therefore, these individuals would only want to have BounceKeys active.

Once you have set up the desired values under Keyboard Response (RepeatKeys, SlowKeys and BounceKeys), you need to enable group. If the Keyboard Response dialog box is open (e.g. under "Adjust" menu), then select ON at the top of the dialog box. This will turn on any of the Keyboard Response functions which you selected.

Sometimes you may want to enable or disable the Keyboard Response functions from the keyboard without having to open the dialog box. To do this just hold the right shift key down for 8 seconds. After about 4 seconds you will hear 3 short warning beeps. (These are provided just in case someone is accidentally resting their hand on the right shift key and doesn't really want to enable these functions - it's sort of a "get off the key" warning). Since you do want these functions enabled, just ignore these warning beeps and keep holding the key down. After about 4 seconds more you will hear an up-siren (e.g. provided Sound when turned on or off is enabled). You can release the right shift key now and the Keyboard Response functions will be enabled using the values you set for RepeatKeys, SlowKeys and BounceKeys. You can disable the Keyboard Response group from the keyboard using this same procedure. When you disable the group you will hear a down-siren (e.g. provided Sound when turned on or off is enabled).

Some individuals are completely unable to operate the computer unless they can turn the keyboard repeat function off and/or turn SlowKeys on. These individuals could find themselves in a Catch-22, unable to use the computer to turn on the functions they need to operate the computer. There is a solution to this problem built into the Access Utility. There is an emergency enabling routine that allows you to turn the Keyboard Response functions on using only one key on the keyboard. To enable the emergency settings for Keyboard Response from the keyboard, you just hold down the right shift key (as you normally do to enable the Keyboard Response) except that you keep holding it down even after you hear the first up-siren. If you hold the right shift key down long enough, this is the sequence of events that will happen: after 4 seconds, 3 short warning beeps; after 4 more seconds, a single up-siren indicating that Keyboard Response has turned on with the settings you previously chose with the dialog box open or with the default settings; after 4 more seconds, you will hear 2 up-sirens which is the first level of emergency settings, RepeatKeys will have the Repeat Rate OFF (no key repeats), SlowKeys will be OFF, (no acceptance delay), and BounceKeys will have a Debounce Time of 1 second; after 4 more seconds (total of about 16 seconds), you will hear 3 up-sirens which is the second level of emergency settings, RepeatKeys will have the Repeat Rate OFF, SlowKeys will have the acceptance delay set to maximum or 2 seconds, and BounceKeys will be OFF. If an individual activates either of the two emergency settings, they should then open the Keyboard Response dialog box and change the settings to the values they need to operate the computer keyboard. After these changes have been made and saved, the user should exit the emergency settings (hold right shift key down for 8 seconds until the down-siren) and then re-activate Keyboard Response (hold right shift key down for 8 seconds until the up-siren). The Keyboard Response functions would then be turned on with the individuals newly saved settings.

Another very useful feature in the Keyboard Response functions is the setting called "Click when a key is Pressed". If this setting is checked and any of the Keyboard Response functions are active, you will hear a click when you press the key, or when the key repeats. For example, if SlowKeys is active, you would hear a key "click" sound when the key is pressed and also when the computer accepts the key. You may just wish to have a key "click" sound with every key you press while not using the Keyboard Response functions. To do this, set SlowKeys and BounceKeys to OFF, adjust RepeatKeys to your needs, and then turn on the Keyboard Response group. The "Click when a key is Pressed" feature provides additional user feedback. This can be very important when the keyboard has been modified to function or "respond" differently then the expected norm.

The MouseKeys Feature

Some users do not have the physical control to operate a pointing device such as the mouse, yet need to access software which requires them to use the pointing device. MouseKeys provides a means to control the mouse cursor on the screen by using the numeric keypad on the keyboard. You turn MouseKeys on or off by simultaneously pressing the left ALT key, the left SHIFT key and the NUM LOCK key. When MouseKeys turns on, you will hear an up-siren if you have sounds enabled. (If you are using only one finger, a mouthstick, or a headpointer to operate the computer, the easiest way to activate MouseKeys is to first activate StickyKeys by tapping either SHIFT key 5 times. You can then hit the three keys in sequence rather than simultaneously.) Once MouseKeys is turned on, the numeric keypad becomes a mouse control pad. Each key on the keypad performs a different mouse function. The "5, +, 0, and ." keys operate the buttons on the mouse. Use the "5" key when you want to click a mouse button once. To

double-click a mouse button, use the "+" key.   When you want to hold

(NOTE: If SlowKeys is active, all the MouseKey control keys will respond according to the amount of "Acceptance Delay" selected.)

While MouseKeys is on, you can use the NUM LOCK key to toggle the MouseKeys control pad back to a numeric keypad and vice versa. This feature is especially useful if you are using a laptop or notebook computer which doesn't have a separate numeric keypad. On these computer keyboards, the numeric keypad is usually overlaid on top of the standard "qwerty" keyboard. Tapping once on the NUM LOCK key to toggle between either a numeric keypad or a mouse control pad makes it very convenient for the user. When toggling between a mouse control pad and the numeric keypad, the numeric keypad will be in the state it was in before MouseKeys was started. For example, if you were using the numeric keypad for number entry before starting MouseKeys, when you toggle out of MouseKeys with the NUM LOCK key, you will be able to enter numbers with the numeric keypad. If you were using the numeric keypad as a cursor keypad before starting MouseKeys, when you toggle out of MouseKeys using the NUM LOCK key, you will have a cursor keypad. MouseKeys will work in Windows 3.0 and Windows 3.1 in conjunction with the standard Microsoft or IBM PS/2 mouse. You can use the standard mouse to move quickly about the screen and then use MouseKeys to move more precisely (unit by unit) to your final destination. Some people cannot use the standard mouse while simultaneously holding down the mouse button. You can use MouseKeys to lock down the currently active mouse button, move the mouse cursor using MouseKeys or the real mouse, and then release the mouse button using MouseKeys.

Note: This version of the Access Utility (3.0.a) does not require the user to have a Microsoft or PS/2 mouse connected to the computer in order for MouseKeys to work while running Windows.

The ToggleKeys Feature

People with visual impairments may not be able to see the lights on the keyboard that indicate CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK and SCROLL LOCK status. ToggleKeys provides a solution to this by emitting a tone whenever these keys are pressed. If ToggleKeys is enabled, when you press one of these keys and it turns on, you will hear a high beep. When you press one of these keys and it turns off, you will hear a low beep. ToggleKeys is turned on from the keyboard by pressing the NUM LOCK key and holding it down for about 5 seconds. When ToggleKeys turns on, you will hear an up-siren if sound is enabled. You turn ToggleKeys off from the keyboard the same way, just hold the NUM LOCK key for about 5 seconds and you will hear a down-siren. ToggleKeys can also be turned on or off from the ToggleKeys dialog box under the "Adjust" menu. ToggleKeys will also function with some keyboards which do not have the status indicator lights for the CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK and SCROLL LOCK keys. The audible low and high beeps can be very useful for all operators when using this style of keyboard.