[PGA and Cloud for All] How Windows 8 does accessibility options

[Jonathan Hung]

Hi everyone,

I came across the accessibility control panel in Windows 8 and Microsoft
has done something interesting which has some relevance to Cloud for All
and Preferences for Global Access projects.

Attached to this email are 4 images which depict various states of the
Windows 8 Ease of Access Center - the tool which users run to configure
their accessibility options. Through this tool the user can enable various
tools like the screen magnifier, on-screen keyboard, and contrast themes.

The attached file *Windows8-AccessibilityOptions.png* shows the initial
screen for the Windows 8 Ease of Access Center. The user can choose from
options like "Use the computer without a display" or "Make the mouse easier
to use". What is interesting is that after an interval of no activity, the
system will begin scanning and narrating the options within the "Quick
access to common tools" group, thus allowing non-sighted users through the
door.

Choosing one of the options on this main page will take the user to a new
screen where they can adjust settings related to that accessibility need.
For example in the attached image *Windows8-AccessibilityOptions-2.png*,
selecting the "Make the computer easier to see" option will display a
rather dense window of options including enabling a high contrast theme,
turning on narration, and enabling the screen magnifier.

There is also a wizard which activates when the user selects "Get
recommendations to make your computer easier to use". The user is then
guided through a 5 step process where the user selects check boxes next to
statements that are applicable to their context. For example in the
attached image *Windows8-Accessibility-Wizard.png*, the user checks or
leaves unchecked the following statements:


   - "Images and text on TV are difficult to see."
   - "Lighting conditions make it difficult to see images on my monitor."
   - "I am blind."
   - "I have another type of vision impairment."

Based on the answers given to the wizard, Windows 8 would then give a
single window of all recommended settings. The user then has the
opportunity to enable or disable any settings before applying. For example
in the attached image *Windows8-Accessibility-Wizard-Recommendations.png* the
wizard has suggested the narrator, magnifier, sticky keys, and a few other
options.

I'm not holding Windows 8 Ease of Access Center up as the best example, but
they do address a few key issues relevant to our projects such as getting
users through the door (with the delayed narration), and simplifying
configuration through a wizard.

If people want more details about the accessibility tool in Windows 8, I
can upload more images to the Fluid Project wiki and give further
descriptions. Just let me know.

Cheers,

- Jon.

-- 

*JONATHAN HUNG*

INCLUSIVE DESIGNER, IDRC****

** **

*T:* 416 977 6000 x3951****

*F:* 416 977 9844****

*E:* jhung at ocadu.ca****

** **

*OCAD UNIVERSITY*****

Inclusive Design Research Centre****

205 Richmond Street W, Toronto, ON, M5V 1V3****

** **

www.ocadu.ca****

www.idrc.ocad.ca
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