[Nfbktad] Microsoft Surface / Windows 8.x Accessibility Features

[Kevin Pearl]

Applies to
Surface RT, Surface 2, Surface Pro, Surface Pro 2, Surface Pro 3, Windows 8.1, Windows RT 8.1.

Ease of Access features
Windows Ease of access features let you use your Surface the way you want.
Microsoft creates technology that strives to be accessible to people of all abilities, however at this time Surface devices are not a fully accessible product. While Surface devices are fully accessible on their own, Surface depends on the Operating System, Internet Browser(s), and other installed or installable software to be accessible as well. Surface is committed to accessibility and works closely with its Operating System, Internet Browser, and other software partners to ensure accessibility improvements are made in future releases. While we continue to work on the engineering details, visithttp://www.microsoft.com/enable and please send any Surface accessibility related feedback or questions to us via the Microsoft Accessibility Survey. We are very grateful for any feedback we receive that can help to improve our customers’ experiences.

Get to Ease of Access features
To see what features are available:

Step 1:	Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and tap Settings. 
(If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Settings.)
Step 2:	Tap or click Change PC settings.
Step 3:	Tap or click Ease of Access.
For more info about Ease of Access features, see Make your PC easier to use on Windows.com.

Note
The page Make your PC easier to use includes options that might not be available on Surface.
Ease of Access options for Surface
Narrator. This tool reads the text on your screen aloud. For more info, see Hear text read aloud with Narrator. For more info, see Hear text read aloud with Narrator.
Magnifier. This tool enlarges your screen or parts of it to make words and images easier to see. For more info, seeUse Magnifier to see items on the screen.
High contrast. This option lets you use a High contrast theme that makes items easier to read on your Surface. To use a High contrast theme:
On the right, under Choose a theme, chose any High contrast theme, and then click Apply.
On-Screen Keyboard. This tool lets you control your Surface by using an on-screen keyboard. For more information, see Use the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) to type.
Mouse. This option lets you change the size and color of the mouse pointer and use the numeric keypad to control the mouse. For more info, see Mouse and keyboard: What's new in Windows.
Other options. These options make Surface easier to use:
Play animations in Windows. To see animations whenever you open and switch apps, tap or click to On.
Show Windows background. To see a background image instead of a black background on the Desktop, tap or click to On.
Show notifications for. If notifications appear and disappear too quickly, choose a time (5, 7, 15, or 30 seconds; 1 or 5 minutes) to change how long they’re visible.
Cursor thickness. If the curser is too hard to spot on-screen, you can change the cursor’s thickness.
Show visual feedback when I touch the screen. To see a grey animation wherever you touch the screen, tap or click to On.
Use darker, larger visual feedback(ideal for presentations). To see a larger, darker animation wherever you touch the screen, tap or click to On.
Customize the sign-in screen
On the sign-in screen, tap or click the Ease of Access button in the lower-left corner to make any of the following settings available every time Surface starts:

Narrator
Magnifier
On-Screen Keyboard
High contrast
Sticky Keys
Filter keys
This info is online at:
http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en-us/support/personalization-and-ease-of-access/ease-of-access-features?lc=1033

Kevin

---The National Federation of the Blind knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can have the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back. NFB.ORG
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