Accessibility Features in Operating Systems

Apple Inc. and Microsoft have built special features into their operating systems to increase accessibility.  The following Macintosh OS X and Windows 7 features demonstrate the flexibility-in-use principle that benefits students with disabilities:

• StickyKeys let students press keys sequentially rather than simultaneously which can benefit students with cerebral palsy.
• Slow Keys allow brief keystrokes to be ignored which is helpful for students with hand tremors, muscle weakness, and poor fine and gross motor control.
• Mouse keys enable students to direct the mouse by using the keyboard's numeric pad. Onscreen keyboards allow students to see an interactive keyboard on the computer monitor.  Windows 7 offers an Advanced Keyboard which changes the number of keys available.  These features all provide students with physical difficulties, like muscular dystrophy, improved access.
• Windows 7 offers students who can not use a mouse the option to scan as an input method which can provide access to students with severe physical issues.
• Visual signals help students who are hard of hearing or deaf.
• High-contrast color schemes, screen magnification, an enlarged mouse pointer, and voiced feedback increase accessibility for students who are visually impaired or blind.