Using the Accessibility Preference Tools
This chapter describes how to use the Accessibility preference tools to customize your desktop environment.
Opening an Accessibility Tool
You can open an Accessibility preference tool in
the following ways:
From the Desktop Preferences menu
Choose ApplicationsDesktop PreferencesAccessibility. Choose the preference tool that you require from the submenu.
The dialog for the tool is displayed.
From the Start Here location
Open a Nautilus file manager window, then
choose GoStart Here. Alternatively, double-click on the Start Here
object on the desktop. The Start Here location is displayed.
Double-click on the Desktop Preferences object in the
file manager window, then double-click on the Accessibility
folder.
Setting Assistive Technology Preferences
accessibility
setting assistive technology
preferences
preference tools
Assistive Technology
Use the Assistive Technology preference tool to enable assistive technologies
in your desktop environment. You can also use the Assistive Technology preference tool to specify assistive technology applications
to start automatically when you log in.
lists the font settings that you
can configure.
Assistive Technology Settings
Setting
Description
Enable assistive technologies
Select this option to enable assistive technologies
in your desktop environment.
Screenreader
Select this option to start the Screenreader application automatically when you log in.
Magnifier
Select this option to start the Magnifier application automatically when you log in.
On-screen keyboard
Select this option to start the On-screen keyboard application automatically when you log in.
Configuring Keyboard Accessibility Options
AccessX
preference tools, Keyboard Accessibility
keyboard
configuring
accessibility options
accessibility
configuring keyboard
preference tools
Keyboard Accessibility
Use the Keyboard accessibility
preference tool to set the keyboard accessibility preferences. The Keyboard accessibility preference tool is also known as AccessX.
You can customize the settings for the Keyboard
accessibility preference tool in the following functional areas:
Basic
Filters
Mouse
Basic Settings
lists the basic keyboard accessibility
settings that you can modify.
Keyboard Accessibility Settings
Option
Function
Enable keyboard
accessibility features
Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features.
When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become
available.
Disable if unused for
Select this option to deactivate keyboard
accessibility preferences if the keyboard is not used for a specified period
of time. Use the slider to specify the number of seconds of keyboard idle
time required before the system disables the keyboard accessibility preferences.
When the specified number of seconds elapses, the following keyboard accessibility
preferences are disabled:
Bounce keys
Mouse keys
Slow keys
Sticky keys
Toggle keys
Beep when features
turned on or off from keyboard
Select this option for an audible indication when a feature
such as sticky keys or slow keys is activated, or deactivated.
Import Feature
Settings
Click on this button to import an AccessX configuration
file.
Enable Sticky
Keys
accessibility
sticky keys
Select this option to perform multiple simultaneous keypress operations by
pressing the keys in sequence. You can specify the following sticky keys settings:
Beep when modifier is pressed: Select
this option for an audible indication when you press a modifier key.
Disable if two keys pressed together:
Select this option to specify that when you press two keys simultaneously,
you can no longer press keys in sequence to perform multiple simultaneous
keypresses.
Repeat Keys
accessibility
repeat keys
Select this option to enable
the autorepeat settings for your keyboard.
Delay: Use this setting to specify the
interval to wait after the first keypress before the automatic repeat of a
pressed key.
Speed: Use this setting to specify the
number of characters per second to enter.
Type to test settings
The
test area is an interactive interface so you can see how the keyboard settings
affect the display as you type. Type text in the test area to test the effect
of your settings.
For more information on configuring keyboard accessibility preferences, see GNOME 2.2 Desktop Accessibility Guide.
Filter Settings
lists the filter settings that
you can modify.
Filter Settings
Option
Function
Enable keyboard
accessibility features
Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features.
When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become
available.
Enable Slow Keys
accessibility
slow keys
Select this option to control the period of time that you must press-and-hold
a key before acceptance. You can specify the following slow keys settings:
Only accept keys held for: Use this setting
to specify the period of time that you must press-and-hold a key before acceptance.
Beep when key is: Select the appropriate
option or options for an audible indication when a key is pressed, accepted,
or rejected.
Enable Bounce
Keys
accessibility
bounce keys
Select this option to accept a key input and to control the key repeat characteristics
of the keyboard. You can specify the following bounce keys settings:
Ignore duplicate keypresses within: Use
this setting to specify the interval to wait after the first keypress before
the automatic repeat of a pressed key.
Beep if key is rejected: Select this
option for an audible indication of key rejection.
Enable Toggle
Keys
accessibility
toggle keys
Select this option for an audible indication of a toggle keypress. You hear
one beep when a toggle key is turned on. You hear two beeps when a toggle
key is turned off.
Type to test settings
The
test area is an interactive interface so you can see how the keyboard settings
affect the display as you type. Type text in the test area to test the effect
of your settings.
For more information on configuring keyboard accessibility preferences, see GNOME 2.2 Desktop Accessibility Guide.
Mouse Settings
lists the mouse settings that
you can modify.
Mouse Settings
Option
Function
Enable keyboard
accessibility features
Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features.
When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become
available.
Enable Mouse Keys
accessibility
mouse keys
Select this option to make the numeric keypad emulate mouse actions. You can
specify the following mouse key settings:
Maximum pointer speed: Use this setting
to specify the maximum speed that the pointer moves across the screen.
Time to accelerate to maximum speed:
Use this setting to specify the duration of the acceleration time of the pointer.
Delay between keypress and pointer movement:
Use this setting to specify the period of time that must pass after a keypress
before the pointer moves.
Mouse Preferences
Click on this button to open the Mouse preference tool.
For more information on configuring keyboard accessibility preferences, see GNOME 2.2 Desktop Accessibility Guide.