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Accessibility: OS Features & Software

Students, faculty, and staff with accessibility software needs beyond the features and software described on this page should consult with Disability Services.

Both of the standard operating systems used at Simmons (Macintosh OS X and Windows Vista) have accessibility features built in. All Technology staff are trained in how to change settings that assist with vision, hearing and mobility needs; if you have any questions, please stop by the Information Commons Technology Desk on the 2nd floor of the Library, or call the Help Desk at 617-521-2222.

All general access and lab computers (such as those in the Information Commons on the 1st and 2nd floors of the library, and in classrooms with computers at each student's seat), and all instructor's workstations in classrooms have a shortcut on the desktop to accessibility features. The icon for that shortcut, depending on which operating system is being used, is:

 Windows                             Macintosh

For more information about how to use each of these features, please see these instructions:

Windows Vista

• Accessibility Wizard
  guides you through customizing the computer. Use this wizard if you are not sure which of the specific tools to use.
• Magnifier
  modify the display by changing the size of icons, graphics, and text.
• Narrator
  turn on text-to-speech, and the computer will read to you what appears on the screen.
• On-screen Keyboard
  display a mouse-operated virtual keyboard on the screen.

Macintosh OS X

All accessibility features of Mac OS X are built into the Universal Access system preference.

• Zoom
  modify the display by changing the size of icons, graphics, and text.
• Hearing
  • Hearing: general settings
    adjust the volume, or change alerts from sounds to visual cues
  • Hearing: Speech
    configure speech to read text
• Mobility
  change keyboard and mouse behaviors.
• On-screen Keyboard
  display a mouse-operated virtual keyboard on the screen.

JAWS

More sophisticated than the tools built into the operating systems, JAWS is a screen reader application for Windows operating systems. JAWS is installed on a few computers on campus: 1st floor of the library Information Commons, and in the SSW Resource Room.
JAWS for Windows XP