Accessibility Tips for Browsing on the Web
Some accessibility features are built into computer operating systems and web browsers. Try the following methods to simplify your web browsing experience.
Magnify the Screen
Many web browsers allow you to zoom in on web pages using simple keyboard controls. The magnifier allows you to focus on specific parts of the screen, enlarging the text and other page elements.
- For Windows operating systems:
press Ctrl and + to zoom in on a web page (Ctrl and – to zoom out). - For Mac operating systems:
press Cmd and + to zoom in on a Web page (Cmd and – to zoom out).
Customize the Mouse Pointer
You can customize a computer mouse pointer in several ways. For example, you can slow down the speed of the mouse pointer for easier handling. You can also change its appearance so that it contrasts more with the screen content.
Learn how to change mouse settings for Windows operating systems:
Learn how to change mouse settings for Mac operating systems:
Make the Computer Speak Aloud
Many computers have text-reading features, but they can be limited in what they offer. For example Windows Narrator reads only menus and dialogue boxes but not blocks of text.
Software is available that offers more advanced screen-reading capabilities (both free and commercial). The two most popular commercial screen readers are:
- JAWS
- Windows-Eyes
Learn how to use Windows Narrator:
Learn how to use Mac OS X Voiceover