The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
- Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 3.5
- Microsoft Windows NT Server version 3.5
Microsoft has an Application Note, "WN0789: Customizing Windows NT for
Individuals with Disabilities.
You can obtain this Application Note from the following sources:
- Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet
- The Internet (Microsoft anonymous ftp server)
- The Microsoft Network (MSN)
- Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)
- Microsoft FastTips Technical Library
- Microsoft Product Support Services
For complete information, see the "To Obtain This Application Note" section
at the end of this article.
THE TEXT OF WN0789
Microsoft(R) Product Support Services Application Note (Text File)
WN0789: CUSTOMIZING WINDOWS NT(TM) FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
Revision Date: 9/94
1 Disk Included
The following information applies to Microsoft Windows NT, versions
3.1 and 3.5.
| INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT AND ANY SOFTWARE THAT MAY |
| ACCOMPANY THIS DOCUMENT (collectively referred to as an Application |
| Note) IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER |
| EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE IMPLIED |
| WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND/OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR |
| PURPOSE. The user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and |
| the use of this Application Note. This Application Note may be |
| copied and distributed subject to the following conditions: 1) All |
| text must be copied without modification and all pages must be |
| included; 2) If software is included, all files on the disk(s) |
| must be copied without modification (the MS-DOS(R) utility |
| diskcopy is appropriate for this purpose); 3) All components of |
| this Application Note must be distributed together; and 4) This |
| Application Note may not be distributed for profit. |
| |
| Copyright (C) 1993-1994 Microsoft Corporation. All Rights Reserved. |
| Microsoft, Microsoft Press, and MS-DOS are registered trademarks |
| and Windows and Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. |
| Intel is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. |
| MIPS is a registered trademark of MIPS Computer Systems, Inc. |
CUSTOMIZING WINDOWS NT FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
========================================================
This Application Note includes Access Pack for Microsoft Windows NT, a
product that makes Windows NT more accessible for people with movement
or hearing disabilities, and provides additional information not
included in the Windows NT documentation about both customizing the
appearance and behavior of Windows NT, and products and services
available for computer users with special needs.
NOTE: You can use Access Pack for Microsoft Windows NT only if you
have Windows NT Workstation or Windows NT Server version 3.5. If you
have Windows NT or Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1 go to the
section entitled Customizing Windows NT Without Additional Hardware or
Software. This section can be used with both versions of Windows NT.
This Application Note contains the following sections:
- Access Pack for Microsoft Windows NT
- Information about Products and Services for People with
Disabilities
- Customizing Windows NT Without Additional Hardware or Software
- Getting More Information
NOTE: The information in this Application Note applies to Windows
NT users in the United States only. If you are outside the United
States, your Windows NT package contains a subsidiary information
card listing product support telephone numbers and addresses.
Contact your subsidiary to find out whether the types of products
and services described in this Application Note are available in
your area.
ACCESS PACK FOR MICROSOFT WINDOWS NT
====================================
Access Pack for Microsoft Windows NT provides people with movement or
hearing disabilities better access to computers running Windows NT.
Access Pack for Microsoft Windows NT contains several features that:
- Allow single-finger typing of SHIFT, CTRL, and ALT key
combinations.
- Ignore accidental keystrokes.
- Adjust the rate at which a character is repeated when you hold down
a key, or turn off character repeating entirely.
- Prevent extra characters if you unintentionally press a key more
than once.
- Enable you to use the keyboard to control the mouse.
- Enable you to control the computer keyboard and mouse by using an
alternate input device.
- Provide a visual cue when the computer beeps or makes other sounds.
- Advise applications when you want them to provide a caption for
speech or other sounds they play.
This additional functionality is already a part of Windows NT
Workstation and Windows NT Server version 3.5. The Access Pack utility
enables you to easily adjust the new accessibility features of Windows
NT. The disk included with this Application Note contains complete
documentation about using the Access Pack utility. To install Access
Pack for Microsoft Windows NT, run the Install command. For example,
type the following from Command Prompt
<drive>:install
where <drive> is the letter of the drive containing the floppy disk.
NOTE: If you have Windows NT or Windows NT Advanced Server version
3.1, see the section below titled "Customizing Windows NT Without
Additional Hardware or Software."
INFORMATION ABOUT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
====================================================================
MICROSOFT SUPPORT SERVICES FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE DEAF OR HARD-OF-HEARING
Through text telephone (TT/TDD) services, Microsoft provides the same
technical product support and customer service for both people who are
deaf or hard-of-hearing and hearing customers.
For sales information and nontechnical customer service, you can
contact the Microsoft Sales Information Center on a text telephone at
(800) 892-5234 between 6:30 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. Pacific time. For
technical assistance, you can contact Microsoft Product Support
Services (PSS) on a text telephone at (425) 635-4948 between 6:00 A.M.
and 6:00 P.M. Pacific time. Microsoft support services are subject to
Microsoft's prices, terms, and conditions in place at the time the
service is used.
KEYBOARD LAYOUTS FOR SINGLE-HANDED COMPUTER USERS
Microsoft distributes software to modify your keyboard layout. These
keyboard layouts can be useful for people who have difficulty using
the standard QWERTY layout. You can use these drivers to modify your
keyboard configuration without changing your physical keyboard.
Windows NT has built-in support for the two-handed Dvorak keyboard
layout, which may be useful for preventing or coping with some types
of repetitive motion injuries associated with typing. To use this
layout, choose the International icon in Control Panel. Two additional
layouts are provided for people who type with the left hand only or
with the right hand only. These layouts can also be useful for people
who type with a single finger or a wand.
The single-handed layouts are included with the PSS Application Note
GA0650, "Dvorak Keyboard Layouts."
You can find GA0650.EXE (size: 38955 bytes)
, a self-extracting file, on the following
services:
- Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet
On the www.microsoft.com home page, click the Support icon.
Click Knowledge Base, and select the product.
Enter kbfile GA0650.EXE (size: 38955 bytes)
, and click GO!
Open the article, and click the button to download the file.
- Internet (anonymous FTP)
ftp ftp.microsoft.com
Change to the Softlib/Mslfiles folder.
Get GA0650.EXE (size: 38955 bytes)
- The Microsoft Network
On the Edit menu, click Go To, and then click Other Location.
Type "mssupport" (without the quotation marks).
Double-click the MS Software Library icon.
Find the appropriate product area.
Locate and Download GA0650.EXE.
- Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)
Dial (425) 936-6735 to connect to MSDL
Download GA0650.EXE (size: 38955 bytes)
For additional information about downloading, please see the following
article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
ARTICLE-ID: Q119591
TITLE : How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online
Services
1200,n,8,1
2400,n,8,1
9600,n,8,1 (V.32, V.32bis, V.42, V.42bis)
14,400,n,8,1 (V.32, V.32bis, V.42, V.42bis)
NOTE: If you cannot connect at 14,400, lower the baud rate to 9600
and try again.
Customers who do not have a modem can obtain GA0650 by calling the
Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-9400 (voice telephone)
or (800) 892-5234 (text telephone).
DOCUMENTATION ON CD-ROM, AUDIO CASSETTES, AND FLOPPY DISKS
Most of the documentation for Windows NT is provided on the Windows NT
CD-ROM.
People who have difficulty reading or handling printed documentation
can obtain many of Microsoft's publications from Recording for the
Blind, Inc. (RFB). RFB distributes these documents on audio cassettes
and floppy disks to registered members of its distribution service.
RFB's collection contains more than 80,000 titles, including Microsoft
product documentation and books from Microsoft Press(R). You can
contact Recording for the Blind at the following address and phone and
fax numbers:
Recording for the Blind, Inc.
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540
(800) 221-4792 Voice telephone
(609) 987-8116 Fax
PRODUCTS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE BLIND OR HAVE LOW VISION
If you are blind or have low vision, many products are available to
help you use Windows(TM). For persons with low vision, there are
several screen-enlargement utilities. For blind individuals, there are
screen readers that provide alternative output by synthesized voice or
refreshable Braille displays. At the time this Application Note was
written, these types of products were not yet available for Windows
NT. However, Microsoft is working in conjunction with third-party
companies to have these products available for Windows NT in late
1994.
CUSTOMIZING WINDOWS NT WITHOUT ADDITIONAL HARDWARE OR SOFTWARE
==============================================================
There are many ways you can adjust the appearance and behavior of
Windows NT to suit varying eyesight and motor skill needs without any
additional software or hardware. For example, by changing settings in
the Windows NT Registry, you can control screen colors, font sizes,
and mouse behavior. You can change these settings in Control Panel or
by directly modifying the Registry. The following sections describe
how to identify which settings to modify to achieve the desired
results and how to safely modify the Registry.
NOTE: This section applies to both Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced
Server version 3.1 and Windows NT Workstation and Windows NT Server
version 3.5.
MODIFYING THE REGISTRY
The Registry contains information about your system environment. You
can configure Windows NT and Windows-based applications to meet your
needs and preferences by modifying the information stored in the
Registry. You may need administrative privileges to modify the
Registry. If so, contact your system administrator. For more
information about the Registry, refer to the Windows NT Resource Kit.
You can use the following procedure to make Registry changes described
later in this Application NOTE:
- Create a backup copy of the Registry. If you do not have backup
privileges, contact your system administrator for assistance.
- Start Registry Editor (REGEDT32.EXE).
- Find the appropriate key.
- Edit the specific values in the String Editor dialog box by
selecting the value.
Many of the Registry entries discussed below are not present in the
Registry by default. To add them:
a. Select the subkey you want to modify.
b. From the Edit menu, choose Add Value.
c. Type the value name in the Value Name field.
d. Make sure the Data Type is REG_SZ.
e. Choose OK.
f. Type the values in the String box of the String Editor dialog
box.
- Save the Registry.
- Restart Windows NT so that the changes take effect.
NOTE: When you add the values specified in this Application Note,
always choose REG_SZ as the Data Type.
CHANGING COLORS
- If you have trouble differentiating the system colors, or if they
cause eyestrain, you can adjust them in the Colors dialog box of
Control Panel.
- If the desktop pattern or wallpaper causes eyestrain, you can
adjust them in the Desktop dialog box of Control Panel.
- If you have trouble differentiating the colors used by Windows
Help, you can adjust them by using the following subkey under the
HKEY_CURRENT_USER subtree:
Software\Microsoft\Windows Help registry
This key allows you to control the following Help features:
- IFJumpColor=red <value> green <value> blue <value>
Specifies the color of text that, when chosen, leads to a new
panel of information in another Help file.
- IFPopupColor=red <value> green <value> blue <value>
Specifies the color of text that, when chosen, displays a pop-up
panel (the type of panel used for glossary definitions) located
in a different Help file.
- JumpColor=red <value> green <value> blue <value>
Specifies the color of text that, when chosen, leads to a new
panel of Help information.
- MacroColor=red <value> green <value> blue <value>
Specifies the color of text that, when chosen, runs a Help
macro.
- PopupColor=red <value> green <value> blue <value>
Specifies the color of text that, when chosen, displays a pop-up
panel (the type of panel used for glossary definitions).
Valid values are 000 to 999, with 999 specifying the highest
intensity. You must include three digits for each value, and you
must include each color value. You can experiment with this setting
to create a color that works best for you. The following table
lists some colors you can work with:
Setting | Resulting color
|
000 000 000 | Black
000 000 999 | Blue
000 999 000 | Green
999 000 000 | Red
999 999 000 | Yellow
999 000 999 | Magenta
999 999 999 | White
For example: To change the jump color to red, you would type 999
000 000 for the value of JumpColor.
CHANGING FONTS
- If you have trouble reading the Windows NT system fonts (which are
used to display window titles, menus, and dialog boxes), you may be
able to increase the font size from the Display section of Control
Panel. If your video driver does not provide this capability, you
can also increase the font size by editing the Registry. You can
change the FONTS.FON value in the following subkey under the
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE subtree to the font of your choice:
Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\GRE_Initialize
NOTE: You must use a font file with an .FON extension. For example,
you can use 8514SYS.FON. Also, some dialog boxes may not fit on
your screen if you choose a very large font.
- If you have trouble reading the titles of icons, you can adjust
their appearance by editing the Registry. To do so, go to the
following subkey under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER subtree:
Control Panel\Desktop
Change IconTitleSize and IconTitleFaceName to the size and name
(respectively) of the font you desire. For example:
IconTitleFaceName=Arial
IconTitleSize=12
NOTE: To make all your icon titles visible, you may also need to
adjust the icon spacing in the Desktop dialog box of Control Panel,
then choose Arrange Icons from the Window menu in Program Manager.
- If you have trouble reading the small fonts used by some
applications, you can restrict the fonts available to Windows-based
applications by removing the fonts you do not want from the Fonts
dialog box of Control Panel. You do not need to actually delete the
font files from your hard disk drive, just remove them from Control
Panel. If you remove all the fonts, only the system fonts remain
available to applications.
- If you have trouble reading the file and directory names in File
Manager, you can adjust the font settings by choosing Font from the
Options menu.
- If you have trouble locating the text-selection cursor (also known
as the caret or insertion point) in your applications, you can
adjust the rate at which it flashes. To do this, choose the Desktop
icon in Control Panel.
CHANGING SCHEDULE+ AND MAIL SETTINGS
- If you have trouble reading the text in Microsoft Schedule+, you
can adjust the fonts and colors by choosing Display from the
Options menu.
- If you have trouble reading the text in Microsoft Mail, you can
adjust the fonts using the FixedFont, NormalFont, and PrintFont
values in the following subkey under the HKEY_CURRENT_USER subtree:
Software\Microsoft\Mail\Microsoft Mail
Each value has four parts separated by commas: the font name, point
size, a flag for bold (0 or 1), and a flag for italic (0 or 1).
- FixedFont=<facename>, <size>, <0>|<1>, <0>|<1>
This value identifies a fixed-pitch font you can substitute for
the one supplied with Microsoft Mail. This font serves as an
alternative to the Microsoft Mail default (Helvetica 10 point).
This entry affects only the message body text, not the message
envelope text or folder lists. In Microsoft Mail, the default is
Courier New, 9, 0, 0 (Courier New, 9-point, not bold, not
italic).
- NormalFont=<facename>, <size>, <0>|<1>, <0>|<1>
This value identifies the proportionally spaced default font
used to display Mail messages. This entry affects only the
message body text, not the message envelope text or folder
lists. The default value is Helv, 10, 0, 0.
NOTE: To switch between the normal font and the fixed font,
choose Change Font from the View menu.
- PrintFont=<facename>, <size>, <0>|<1>, <0>|<1>
This value identifies the default proportionally spaced font
used to print Mail messages. The default value is Helv, 10, 0, 0.
CHANGING MOUSE BEHAVIOR
- If you have difficulty controlling the Microsoft Mouse, you can
adjust its speed in the Mouse dialog box of Control Panel.
- If you have trouble double-clicking the mouse, you can adjust the
sensitivity using the Double-Click Speed setting in the Mouse
dialog box of Control Panel.
- If you have trouble positioning the mouse on window frames so that
you can adjust the size of the windows, you can increase the window
border width setting in the Desktop dialog box of Control Panel.
- If you have trouble locating the pointer on the screen, you can
modify its appearance from the Cursors section of Control Panel.
You can choose larger, animated, or different colored cursors.
CHANGING KEYBOARD BEHAVIOR
- If you have trouble using the keyboard because of the speed at
which it repeats or the delay time before it begins repeating, you
can adjust these settings in the Keyboard dialog box of Control
Panel.
- You can use two methods to reduce the number of keystrokes required
to switch between applications. You can use Task List to display a
list of all applications currently running, or you can assign a
shortcut key to each application. Task List can be invoked by
pressing CTRL+ESC, or by choosing Switch To from any application's
Control menu. Application shortcut keys can be assigned by creating
an icon for the application in Program Manager and using the
Properties command on the File menu. For more information on Task
List and shortcut keys, see the Microsoft Windows NT "System
Guide."
NOTE: Application shortcut keys work only when Program Manager is
the active application. You can create a shortcut key for Program
Manager by adding Program Manager to your Startup group and
assigning it a shortcut key from the Properties dialog box.
GETTING MORE INFORMATION
========================
INFORMATION FROM MICROSOFT
For more information on Microsoft products and services for people
with disabilities, contact the Microsoft Sales Information Center at
one of the following numbers:
(800) 426-9400 Voice telephone
(800) 892-5234 Text telephone
THIRD-PARTY PRODUCT INFORMATION
The Trace R&D Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison produces a
book and CD-ROM that describe products that help people with
disabilities use computers. The book is titled "ResourceBook" and
contains nearly 500 pages of descriptions and photographs of
approximately 2,000 aids. The CD provides a database of more than
12,000 products and other information for people with disabilities. It
is issued twice a year and is also available in many public libraries.
You can contact the Trace R&D Center at the following address and
phone and fax numbers:
Trace R&D Center
S-151 Waisman Center
1500 Highland Avenue
Madison, WI 53705-2280
(608) 263-2309 Voice telephone
(608) 263-5408 Text telephone
(608) 262-8848 Fax
ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAMS
For general information and recommendations about how computers can
help specific individuals, you should consult a trained evaluator who
can best match your needs with the available solutions. An assistive
technology program in your area can provide referrals to programs and
services available to you. To locate the assistive technology program
nearest you, contact the Center for Developmental Disabilities at the
following address and phone and fax numbers:
National Information System
Center for Developmental Disabilities
University of South Carolina
Benson Building
Columbia, SC 29208
(800) 922-9234, ext. 301 Voice or text telephone, outside South Carolina
(800) 922-1107 Voice or text telephone, in South Carolina
(803) 777-6222 Voice or text telephone, outside the U.S.
(803) 777-6058 Fax
TO OBTAIN THIS APPLICATION NOTE
You can find WN0789.EXE (size: 333154 bytes)
, a self-extracting file, on the following
services:
- Microsoft's World Wide Web Site on the Internet
On the www.microsoft.com home page, click the Support icon.
Click Knowledge Base, and select the product.
Enter kbfile WN0789.EXE (size: 333154 bytes)
, and click GO!
Open the article, and click the button to download the file.
- Internet (anonymous FTP)
ftp ftp.microsoft.com
Change to the Softlib/Mslfiles folder.
Get WN0789.EXE (size: 333154 bytes)
- The Microsoft Network
On the Edit menu, click Go To, and then click Other Location.
Type "mssupport" (without the quotation marks).
Double-click the MS Software Library icon.
Find the appropriate product area.
Locate and Download WN0789.EXE.
- Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)
Dial (425) 936-6735 to connect to MSDL
Download WN0789.EXE (size: 333154 bytes)
For additional information about downloading, please see the following
article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
ARTICLE-ID: Q119591
TITLE : How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online
Services
You can have this Application Note mailed or faxed to you from the
automated Microsoft FastTips Technical Library, which you can call
24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (800) 936-4400. NOTE: The FastTips
Technical Library is available only to customers within the U.S. and
Canada.
If you are unable to access the source(s) listed above, you can
have this Application Note mailed or faxed to you by calling
Microsoft Product Support Services Monday through Friday, 6:00 A.M.
to 6:00 P.M. Pacific time at (425) 635-7018. If you are outside the
United States, contact the Microsoft subsidiary for your area. To
locate your subsidiary, see the Microsoft World Wide Offices Web
site at:
http://www.microsoft.com/worldwide/default.htm