Microsoft does a good job of building accessibility features into its operating systems. These features make it easier for users with a wide range of physical challenges to see, hear and use their computers. Many of the accessibility features are improved in Vista, starting with the Ease of Access Center.

The Ease of Access Center is the place to go for adjusting accessibility settings. All accessibility features and assistive programs are now grouped in a single location known as the Ease of Access Center. Some of the features you will find here include:

• On-screen Keyboard
• Magnifier
• Speech Recognition
• Narrator
• Keyboard shortcuts
• Visual Notifications
• Captions

So let’s take a closer look at these accessibility features in Vista and how they can assist users with physical challenges.

On-Screen Keyboard
Vista includes an on-screen keyboard that is built-in with the operating system. You might find this feature handy if you have impairments or if your normal keyboard is under repair. You can easily access the on-screen keyboard by clicking Start, typing OSK and pressing Enter. A nifty little keyboard will immediately appear on your screen.

You can access this more easily by creating a shortcut to the program on your desktop. Simply right click your desktop, point to New and select Shortcut. Type in osk and click Next. Click Finish.

The on-screen keyboard runs in three different modes: clicking mode, scanning mode, and hovering mode. In clicking mode you simply click the on-screen keys. In scanning mode, you use a hot key or a switch-input device to type highlighted characters. In hovering mode, you can simply use your mouse to point to a key which is then typed. You can change the mode by selecting the Settings tab, clicking Typing Mode and choosing the mode you want to use.