Customizing Microsoft Windows, Windows NT, and Windows 95
There are many ways you can customize your operating system to make your computer more accessible.
- Beginning with Windows 95, accessibility features are built in to Windows and Windows NT. These features are useful for individuals who have difficulty typing or using a mouse, have moderately impaired vision, or who are deaf or hard-of-hearing. The features can be installed during setup, or you can add them later from your Windows 95 installation disks. Look up "accessibility" in the Windows Help Index for information about installing and using these features.
- You can also use Control Panel and other built-in features to adjust the appearance and behavior of Windows or Windows NT to suit varying vision and motor abilities. These include adjusting colors and sizes, sound volume, and the behavior of the mouse and keyboard.
- Many of the features that make Windows 95 more accessible can be added to Windows NT, earlier versions of Microsoft Windows, and MS-DOS, through Access Packs. You can download these files by modem or you can order them on disks from Microsoft.
- Dvorak keyboard layouts make the most frequently typed characters on a keyboard more accessible if you have difficulty using the standard "QWERTY" layout. There are three Dvorak layouts: one if you are a two-handed user, one if you type with your left hand only, and one if you type with your right hand only. You do not need to purchase any special equipment to use these features.
The specific features available, and whether they are built-in or must be obtained separately, depend on which operating system you are using.
For full documentation on the accessibility features available in the operating system you are using, obtain the appropriate application notes listed below. Accessibility features are also documented in the Microsoft Windows 95 Resource Kit and the Microsoft Windows NT Resource Kit.
Accessibility Notes and Utilities to Download or Order
You can obtain these files by downloading them with your modem, or you can order them on disks by phone. Specific instructions for downloading and ordering these files immediately follows this list of files.
| For this |
You need |
| Customizing Microsoft Windows NT 4.0 for individuals with disabilities |
WW1279.doc |
| Customizing Microsoft Windows 95 for individuals with disabilities |
WW1062.exe |
| Customizing Microsoft Windows NT 3.1 and 3.5 for individuals with disabilities (includes Access Pack for Microsoft Windows NT, which provides features for people who have difficulty using a keyboard or mouse, or who are deaf or hard-of-hearing) |
WN0789.exe |
| Customizing Microsoft Windows for Workgroups 3.1 for individuals with disabilities |
WG0788.txt |
| Customizing Microsoft Windows 3.1 for individuals with disabilities |
WW0787.txt |
| Customizing Microsoft Windows 3.0 for individuals with disabilities |
WW0786.txt |
| Access Pack for Microsoft Windows 3.0 and 3.1, which provides features for people who have difficulty using a keyboard or mouse, or who are deaf or hard-of-hearing |
ACCP.exe |
| Dvorak keyboard layouts for people who type with one hand (already included in Windows NT version 3.5 and later) |
GA0650.exe |
To download the files by modem
If you have a modem, you can download the accessibility files from the following network services:
- Microsoft World Wide Web site, http://microsoft.com/enable/. Choose Microsoft Products from the navigation bar on the left, and then choose the appropriate product or platform.
- Microsoft Internet server at ftp.microsoft.com, in /softlib/mslfiles
- MSN, the Microsoft Network online service.
- CompuServe: type GO MSL.
- GEnie.
- Microsoft Download Service (MSDL), which you can reach by calling (425) 936-6735 any time except between 1:00 A.M. and 2:30 A.M. Pacific time.
MSDL supports 1200, 2400, 9600, or 14400 baud rates (V.22bis, V.32, V.32bis and V.42), with 8 data bits, no parity, and 1 stop bit. MSDL does not support 28800 or ISDN connections.
- Various user-group bulletin boards (such as the bulletin-board services on the Association of PC User Groups network)
Ordering the Accessibility Files by Phone
If you do not have a modem, within the United States you can order the accessibility files on disks by calling Microsoft Sales Information Center at (800) 426-9400 (voice) or (800) 892-5234 (text telephone) between 6:30 A.M. and 5:30 P.M. Pacific time.
In Canada, you can call (905) 568-3503 (voice) or (905) 568-9641 (text telephone).