Customize Windows
for special needs
Are you running Windows 95 or later? If
so, you can change settings to adapt the computer to your
special needs. Shift the mouse to left-handed use, modify
the keyboard to half-keyboard functionality, and more.
Settings are usually changed from the Control
Panel. Here are some possibilities...
You generally will not need to purchase a special mouse -
unless yours is specifically shaped for the right hand. Instead,
do one of the following:
Make a global change to left-handed use: You can
usually reverse the
functions of your current mouse to work with the left hand via
the Windows 95/98 Control Panel. Click on Mouse
Properties, then Button Assignment (The exact titles may vary,
depending upon your version of Windows).
Make an application-specific change to left-handed use:
If
you prefer (perhaps because several people use the same
computer), many programs allow you to reverse mouse button
functions within the particular program. When you close the program,
the mouse returns to the default right-handed settings.
If you are one-handed, you may find it
convenient to control all the keys by using only half the
keyboard. The Windows operating system makes this
possible.
Under Windows you can shift standard
keyboard functionality to a half-keyboard for either right or left hand.
Keys are not arranged in usual QWERTY fashion with this option,
however. Instead the Dvorak keyboard layout is used.
The Dvorak
layout is supposed to make more frequently used keys more
accessible. However, you can expect to spend some time relearning if you
are used to the standard keyboard layout!
To change to a half-keyboard Dvorak:
To set these keyboard options, go to Control
Panel, then click on Accessibility Options.
StickyKeys
Having to depress a key, then stretch half way
across the keyboard to reach another key and press it can be
quite a trick. The StickyKeys setting enables you
to execute multi-keystroke commands by pressing first one key,
then the other. You don't have to hold both down
simultaneously. This works with Shift, Ctrl and Alt.
FilterKeys
Do you struggle with fine motor control?
Setting FilterKeys causes Windows to ignore brief or repeated
keystrokes or to slow the repeat rate.
ToggleKeys
Would you like an auditory confirmation of
pressing Caps Lock, Num Lock and Scroll Lock? ToggleKeys
will do the job. Each time you enter one of these
controls, a tone sounds to confirm the action.
You can control other settings within the
Control Panel as well. Need fonts and colors designed for
easy reading? Enable High Contrast (a Display
option). Want to control your pointer with the numeric
keypad on your keyboard? Just select MouseKeys
(a Mouse option).
If a physical limitation interferes with your
computer use, browse the options available
via the Windows Control Panel. Then experiment.
Keep the settings you like, return the rest to their defaults.
