Accessibility

This website is best viewed using Internet Explorer. It has a number of features that can improve accessibility for those with seeing or hearing disabilities. Scroll down or use an icon below to view more information.

Text Size

The size of text on screen can be increased or decreased to make it easier to read. This can sometimes cause text to spill out of the menus and other areas.

To alter the size of text, select the View menu from the top of the browser window, point to the Text Size option then choice the desired size for text (Medium being the default size). TOP

High Contrast

High Contrast is designed for people who have vision impairment. High contrast color schemes can make the screen easier to view for some users by heightening screen contrast with alternative color combinations. Some of the schemes also change font sizes for easier reading.

To open Accessibility Options, click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Accessibility Options.

Accessibility Options - On the Display tab, under High Contrast, select the Use High Contrast check box. To turn off High Contrast, clear the Use High Contrast check box. TOP

Magnifier

Magnifier is a display utility that makes the screen more readable for users who have impaired vision. Magnifier creates a separate window that displays a magnified portion of your screen. You can also change the color scheme of the magnification window for easier visibility. You can move or resize the Magnifier window, or drag it to the edge of the screen and lock it into place. Magnifier is intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with slight visual impairments.

To open Magnifier, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Magnifier.

To open Magnifier using the keyboard, press CTRL+ESC, press R, type magnify, and then press ENTER.

When using Magnifier, you can:
Change the magnification level
Change the size of the magnification window
Change the position of the magnification window on your desktop
Invert the screen colors

Magnifier also has a number of tracking options, including:

Following the mouse pointer as it moves on your screen
Following the keyboard focus which centers on the location of the cursor
Following text editing

When Magnifier is open, you can right-click the magnification window to set these Magnifier options, or to hide or exit Magnifier. TOP

Narrator

Narrator is a text-to-speech utility for users who are blind or have impaired vision. Narrator reads what is displayed on your screen: the contents of the active window, menu options, or the text you have typed.

Narrator is designed to work with Notepad, Wordpad, Control Panel programs, Internet Explorer, the Windows desktop, and Windows setup. Narrator may not read words aloud correctly in other programs.

To open Narrator, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Narrator.

To open Narrator using the keyboard, press CTRL+ESC, press R, type narrator, and then press ENTER.

Narrator has a number of options that allow you to customize the way screen elements are read.
You can have new windows, menus, or shortcut menus read aloud when they are displayed.
You can have typed characters read aloud.
You can have the mouse pointer follow the active item on the screen.
You can adjust the speed, volume, or pitch of the voice. TOP

Family Information Group is grateful to Derry City Council Community Services for supporting this project.