Within every operating system available there is the potential to make adjustments to suit personal needs

Windows

Since the release of Windows95 there has always been an integrated set of accessibility features which you can configure through your "Control Panel". You can configure how the computer interacts with you. For example; if you only have the use of one hand, using a keyboard would be difficult, due to the amount of options which require you to press 2 keys at the same time. By loading "Sticky-Keys", within the Windows Accessibility Features, the computer can be changed so that it works one keystroke at a time. Other useful features include the ability to slow down the repeat speed of the keyboard and how long you have to hold a key down for, before it is processed.

Information on the features within each version of windows and other platforms can be found below:

• Windows Vista Accessibility

• The Microsft website has a huge amount of information on Vista accessibility

• Accessibility tutorials for windows Vista

Windows XP Accessibility

• AbilityNet's 'MyWay' is a really good start

• AbilityNet skillsheets will show you how to make adjustments to your computer settings

• BBC MyWebMyWay website has a series of changes to make to the OS and web browser

• MicroSoft page on XP accessibility

Video Introduction to Accessibility Features

How to Zoom in (Magnify the screen)

Accessibility Options in Windows for Users with Physical Impairments

Apple Mac Accessibility

www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility has a series of changes to make to the OS and web browser

Linux Accessibility

www.bbc.co.uk/accessibility has a series of changes to make to the OS and web browser

www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk/linuxaccessibility AbilityNet factsheets on improving accessibility in Linux.