Keyboard settings

Accessibility Options includes ways of changing how the keyboard responds to certain key strokes and combinations. The picture below is of the StickyKeys Settings window. These windows exist for most options, and work in a similar way.

StickyKeys

Some keyboard commands (like Ctrl C) require more than one key to be pressed at the same time. StickyKeys makes these commands accessible to users who can only press one key at a time. It works with the Shift, Ctrl, Alt keys or the Windows key.

One option will provide audible feedback (a beep) when a key is ‘switched on’. Another setting enables a combination of key presses to turn StickyKeys on and off.

FilterKeys

FilterKeys can make the computer ignore repeated key strokes. This is useful for users with any form of shaking or slow hand/arm movement, preventing letters being typed more than once unintentionally.

There are various options, including one which ignores all repeated letters, and another which gives audible confirmation of accepted letters. The former is particularly useful, as there is no such setting available through Keyboard Options in Control Panel.

MouseKeys

MouseKeys allows the mouse pointer to be controlled through the arrow keys on the keyboard. It can only be used for movement, however, not clicking.

The options available with MouseKeys include acceleration speed, top speed, and turning it on and off.

On-Screen Keyboard

The On-Screen Keyboard is to be found by opening the Start menu, and selecting Programs, Accessories and then Accessibility. It is a basic on-screen keyboard that allows the input of letters using a pointing device such as a mouse or roller ball. It sits on top of any open window so that it is always visible, and it includes all of the keys found on a standard keyboard. Whilst the keyboard is fine for occasional use, mobility-impaired users will need a more sophisticated program if they are going to be using a computer on a regular basis

On-Screen Keyboard has three typing modes:

• Clicking mode - the user clicks on the required letters to type text.
• Scanning mode - the program scans through the letters of the keyboard. Letters can then be selected, first by row and then by character, using a key on the keyboard (i.e. space), a switch, or another input device such as a gaming joystick.
• Hovering mode - a pointing device hovers over a character, which is automatically typed after a set period of time.

The layout of the keyboard can be altered to include the Number pad, or to change the number of keys available. The font size of the letters and numbers can also be changed, although this function has limited use as the size of the keys themselves cannot be adjusted.