WATA Bulletin - Summer 1998
Contents:
Accessibility Features in Microsoft Windows 98
Sean Barrett and Glenn LeDuc
Microsoft has recently released an updated version of Windows—Windows 98. Here is a brief overview of accessibility features built into Win 98. In compiling this article we used information published by Microsoft on their accessibility web site at: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/Win98upgrade.htm. Please check this site for more information and updates.
Before you install Win 98 on your computer you need to consider that once you upgrade to Win 98 you will no longer be able to use Internet Explorer 3. Win 98 comes with Internet Explorer 4.01 and cannot be separated from it. If you use Internet Explorer 3 because you are unable to use version 4, do not upgrade to Win 98.
Internet Explorer 4.01 and Win 98 both include Active Accessibility(tm) support to HTML, but there have been some compatibility problems with assistive technology devices and software, particularly screen readers. According to the information on the Microsoft Web site, they are working closely with vendors to release updated Active Accessibility support in Internet Explorer 4 and Win 98.
If you are using assistive technology to access and use the computer, check with the manufacturer or vendor of your device or software before installing Win 98. Also, if you are using non-assistive hardware, especially if it has been replaced by a newer version, contact the manufacturer to see if their Win 95 drivers will work under Win 98, or if they have Win 98 drivers available.
All of the accessibility options from Win 95 are still available in Win 98. If you already have the accessibility options turned on in Win 95, they will be retained when you install Win 98.
The accessibility options do not automatically install when you install Win 98. To install the accessibility features choose: 1) Start; 2) Settings; 3) Control Panel; 4) Add/Remove Programs; 5) the Windows Setup tab—make sure Accessibility Options and Accessibility Tools are both checked; 6) OK to close the dialog box; 7) OK to close the Add/Remove Programs page.
After installing the accessibility features, you can start the Accessibility Wizard or Magnifier by choosing Start, then Programs, then Accessories, then Accessibility.
Accessibility features of Win 98 fall into four basic categories.
Accessibility Wizard
As with most Microsoft products, Win 98 comes with a "wizard" to guide you through different choices. A series of menus asks questions about sight, hearing, mouse usage, etc., allowing you to set up the system to best fit your needs. To use the Accessibility Wizard, choose Start, then Programs, then Accessories, then Accessibility.
You can also adjust the accessibility settings without going through the wizard process. The following accessibility features can be configured using the wizard or adjusting the individual settings by going to the Control Panel, then Accessibility Options.
Keyboard Tab
Sticky Keys – tells the computer to act as if the Shift, Ctrl or Alt keys are still depressed after being hit once, allowing one-handed use of commands such as Ctrl-Alt-Delete.
Filter Keys – tells the computer to ignore repeated keystrokes, which can be helpful if someone has difficulty quickly releasing a key.
Toggle Keys – makes a sound whenever Caps Lock, Num Lock or Scroll Lock are pressed, replacing the three lighted bars that appear on the top right of most keyboards.
Sound Tab—Sound Sentry and Show Sounds–tell Win 98 to give a visual signal when a sound would usually be given, or to give a sound signal in place of a visual one.
Display Tab—On this tab, you can force applications (Word, Excel, etc.) to use the same color scheme (possibly high contrast) as the Windows environment, and activate a keystroke shortcut to this function, if you wish.
Mouse Tab—On this tab, you can choose to use the arrow keys or the number pad as a mouse. The settings menu in this tab will allow you to adjust the speed and function of this pointer. This feature helps users who are unable to use the mouse, or cannot use it efficiently.
General Tab
Automatic Reset – Tells Win 98 to turn off accessibility features after a certain amount of time. This feature is useful if more than one person uses the computer.
Notification – Gives options for feedback when visual or audio feedback are turned on or off.
Serial Key Devices – Used when special input devices are attached to any of the serial ports. Use the Settings button to tell Win 98 which port the device is plugged into.
Magnifier
Win 98 comes with its own screen magnifier. This magnifier displays an enlarged portion of the screen in a separate window, and can magnify from two to nine times. Although this is not a full-featured screen magnifier and the level of magnification won’t meet the needs of all people with low vision, the feature will help many Windows users who have difficulties seeing the information on the screen. To access the magnifier, choose Start, then Accessories, then Accessibility Options, then Magnifier.
New Pointers
Win 98 includes three sizes and several different colors of pointers—black, white or one that changes color depending on the background (increased contrast). These pointers are designed to make it easier to find the pointer on the screen.
High Contrast Option
With this option, you can customize background and foreground colors of your screen to increase contrast and readability. Win 98 includes more types of high contrast schemes than Win 95.
For those who cannot use the mouse or prefer to use keyboard commands, Microsoft offers a complete guide to keyboard commands in Win 98. You can download the file at http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/Win98access.htm. The link is about two-thirds of the way down the page.
Legislative Updates
Frances E. Pennell
Policy, Funding & Systems Change Specialists
Much of interest to users of assistive technology is happening in the "other" Washington. On July 31, the House and Senate reached agreement on HR 1385—the Workforce Investment Partnership Act, which includes the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1998. As we go to press, the Bill is on its way to the President for signature. The Bill consolidates more than 60 Federal employment programs but retains the basic structure of the vocational rehabilitation program. The ‘98 Amendments continue to emphasize the important role of assistive technology in education and employment.
HR 1385 also includes a revised Section 508 which requires Federal agencies, when developing, procuring or maintaining electronic and information technologies, to ensure that such technologies allow individuals with disabilities (including members of the public and employees) to have use of information and data that is comparable to that provided to people without disabilities. Agencies do not need to provide comparable access if it would impose an undue burden. However, in such cases, the agency must provide the data and information sought through alternative means. Federal agencies are given six months to evaluate how well they are doing on technology access and the Attorney General must prepare a report for the President within 18 months and every two years thereafter. Regulations will be developed by the Access Board. The Amendments also allow individuals to file complaints (using Section 504 guidelines and procedures) against Federal Agencies that violate Section 508.
Other Bills under active consideration include:
S. 1858, the Work Incentives Improvement Act, which would make it easier for people with disabilities to transition from SSI to part or full-time employment without losing their medical coverage;
three separate Patient Rights’ Bills, which may eliminate some of the procedural barriers people face in obtaining private insurance funding for medical equipment. (For more information, check Senator Chafee’s Web site at http://www.senate.gov/~chafee/mngd_care.html or the Families USA Web site at http://www.familiesusa.org/managedcare/), and
Senate Bill 2266, which would amend the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act to exclude prisoners in state and local prisons and juvenile facilities meaning that states would not have to provide reasonable accommodations under Federal law to such prisoners (state law could still apply).
Did you know?
Under the "special factors" provisions of the 1997 amendments to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IEP Teams must "consider whether [a] child requires assistive technology devices and services." Other "special factors" which must be addressed include: (i) in the case of a child whose behavior impedes learning, the strategies and supports needed to address that behavior; (ii) the language needs of children with limited English proficiency; (iii) in the case of a child who is blind or visually impaired, the need for Braille instruction and (iv) in the case of a child who is deaf or hard of hearing, the child's communication needs. The "special factors" amendment officially applies to all IEPs written or amended after July, 1998. However, the IDEA regulations have long required districts and state educational agencies "to ensure" that children with disabilities receive assistive technology as needed for special education, related services or as supplementary aids and services meaning that schools already should be in the habit of documenting AT needs in the child's MDT assessments, IEP and transition plans. If you need more information about the role of AT in special education, please call WATA.
Calendar of Events:
Pacific Northwest Institute on Special Education & the Law–September 28-30, 1998, Yakima, WA
For both lawyers and non-lawyers. For more information, contact the School Law Center, College of Education at (206) 543-7258 or visit their Web site at http://weber.u.washington.edu/~slawd.
Computer Technology in Special Education & Rehabilitation–October 22-24, 1998, Minneapolis, MN
National conference focusing on innovative applications of computer technologies for people with disabilities. Registration is $220. For more information, check the Web at http://www.closingthegap.com, e-mail to info@closingthegap.com or call 507-248-3294.
International TASH Conference–December 2-5, 1998, Seattle, WA
For more information call (206) 443-9592 or visit the TASH Web site at http://www.tash.org/seattle98.htm.
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WATA Bulletin is supported by a grant from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research H224A3006, U. S. Department of Education, to the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Olympia, WA.