Some small changes to your computer settings can make a big difference. Here is a list of simple changes that can be made to your computer to make screen information easier to see. For a step-by-step guide to how to make the changes highlighted here, please visit the AbilityNet website. There is information on adapting Windows, Mac and Linux computers.
Mouse pointer
Within the windows control panel you can alter the settings for your mouse pointer on screen. There are a huge number of choices with different size pointers, colours, shapes and it is worth experimenting with these to find one that works well for you.There are other features which can be enabled to make following and finding the mouse pointer easier. Mouse trails leave a trail behind the mouse as you move it and pointer locator gives a visual indication of the mouse position when you press the control (Ctrl) key.
Colour schemes
There are a number of colour schemes which can be found within the display settings that offer higher contrast, larger fonts and clearer text. These can then be further customised with your own colour choices and font sizes.
Microsoft magnifier and narrator
Windows has two basic progams to help people with a sight problem access their computer. These programs are free and do not include the more advance features that are available from commercial products.
Microsoft magnifier uses a portion of the screen to show a magnified image of your mouse pointer or where you are typing. You can customise the amount of magnification and which area of the screen you want to use for the magnification image.
Microsoft narrator is a basic screen reading program which reads out screen information and echoes key presses using synthetic speech.
Large print keyboards
RNIB have a range of options to make typing easier. The simplest solution transforms your existing keyboard by placing a large print stickers over each key. These are available in different colour combinations and a different range of stickers for laptop computers and stickers for desktop computers. Prices start from £10.99.
There is a number of large print keyboards which have larger characters printed on each key and some which use contrasting colours to highlight frequently used keys to make them easier to distinguish. Prices start from £23.99.
Keyboard skills
Whatever your sight difficulty, learning your way around the keyboard and learning to touch type are important skills to learn. At the most basic level these skills allow you to increase the speed at which you can prepare documents and input information into a PC. For many tasks, using a keyboard can often be faster than using a mouse. There are a number of different methods to learn to touch type and more details can be found in developing keyboard skills.