Accessibility is a crucial but often underappreciated aspect of modern life… particularly in the workplace and the technology enabling any work that needs to be done. Fortunately, the Windows OS has quite a few features intended to boost its accessibility baked in.
Let’s review some of them so you know what’s available to you.
Windows’ Various Accessibility Features Cover a Gamut of Needs
For the Visually Impaired
Windows offers increased personalization options designed to provide a clearer view to those with visual impairments, along with the option to further magnify displayed words and images. Someone with challenges perceiving specific colors can activate filters to navigate formerly problematic shades and hues… and speaking of colors, those with light and color sensitivity can scale the on-screen intensity down.
Narrator is a screen reader built into Windows that directly integrates with braille devices, helping those with extreme vision issues take in and create content.
For Those with Mobility Challenges
Those with challenges interfacing with the traditional keyboard and mouse also have various options to assist them as they use their technology. Voice access options are currently being previewed, while Windows 11 currently offers eye control and voice typing. All of these provide alternatives should someone need a different option for whatever reason a mouse and keyboard is inappropriate.
For Those with Hearing Impairments
Those with auditory issues have options to overcome their challenges as well. Windows 11 offers universal live captions, meaning any audio source can be transcribed automatically in real time.
These captions are also customizable to be as legible as possible for every user.
Suppose the computer audio itself is an issue. In that case, Mono Audio can combine dual-channel stereo into a single channel if that improves the user experience.
For Those with Difficulties Learning or Neurodivergence
Windows 11 features Focus Sessions, a setting that will help eliminate distractions for those needing assistance maintaining concentration. Activating this mode deactivates your taskbar badges and turns on Do Not Disturb mode to eliminate distractions while setting a timer to help space out your breaks in a productive way.
Users can also take advantage of immersive reading while using Microsoft Edge. Immersive Reader helps eliminate any on-screen distractions from the content one is trying to read by allowing the user to hide extraneous information and adjust the formatting of what they are trying to read.
This is Just the Start of What Windows’ Accessibility Features Include
Helpfully, Microsoft has provided a list of support articles describing how each feature we’ve described (and more) works and how the user can accomplish different things to mitigate the challenges that could otherwise get in the way.
We hope this helps you and your team accomplish everything you mean to… for more assistance, you can always turn to the services we offer at Lantek. Give us a call at (610) 683-6883 to learn more.