Make Your Computer Easier to Use

Whether you have a Windows computer, a MacBook, or a Chromebook, your operating system includes features and settings that improve the accessibility and usability of the computer. (All modern smartphones also include accessibility settings, of course - but in these workshops we're focusing on laptops and desktop computers.)

Here you will get a quick overview of the general types of assistive technology (also called accessibility settings) that your computer comes with; the next few pages focus on the accessibility settings and features built into Microsoft Windows, the MacOS, and Google Chrome OS (which is what all Chromebooks run on).

Vision

A magnifier or "zoom" tool
The option to increase the size of your cursor or pointer
A "high contrast" mode for your display
Color filters for people with colorblindness
A narration or "voice over" feature that describes (and reads) everything on screen

Hearing

You can increase or decrease your computer volume
In Windows, at least, you can have sound come out of one speaker or headphone only
Set notifications to use visual alerts

Interaction

A speech recognition feature that lets you control your computer with voice commands
A dictation feature that lets you dictate text
Keyboard and mouse settings that make it easier to use the computer (like "sticky keys" for example)