Very few of us are lucky enough to have perfect eyesight, co-ordination and hearing.

In 2003 Microsoft conducted research to find out how many computer users could benefit from technology that makes computers more easily accessible.

A quarter of those surveyed had a visual impairment, nearly the same amount had dexterity difficulties and a fifth had hearing problems.

The research found that almost two-thirds of those asked would be likely to benefit from accessibility technology.

This included only adults aged 18 to 64, so the proportion of the population that could benefit from help making computers easier to use is likely to be higher still.

Microsoft has included special accessibility features in its operating systems since Windows 95, and before that there was a separate Access Pack available for Windows 3.

Windows Vista includes several improvements and one brilliant new feature. In this article we’ll explain how to use the tools included with Vista to make Windows, and the other programs you run on your computer, easier to use.

Crystal clear
One big change in Vista is that accessibility functions are no longer hidden away. Windows XP allows users to turn on the handy Sticky Keys function by pressing the Shift key five times at the Welcome screen, but few users know about this trick.

Vista is far more straightforward, with a button on the Welcome screen giving access to all the main accessibility utilities. Once the user has logged in to Vista they can find many tools in the Ease of Access Center, found in the Control Panel. It’s possible to open the window instantly by pushing the Windows key and U at the same time.

The Ease of Access Center contains all the accessibility options that were previously found scattered around the outer reaches of Windows XP’s Control Panel. Microsoft has also attempted to make it easier for users who need help before they can make use of the menu itself.

Vista can read the first section of the menu aloud and will then rotate through four key functions: the narrator, the on-screen keyboard, the magnifier and the high-contrast mode. The user can enable any of these options by waiting for the desired option then pushing the space bar.

The Magnifier, which provides an enlarged copy of the area around the cursor that’s easier to read, is much the same as the one included in Windows XP. By default the area sits at the top of the screen and it can be set to follow text being typed into a word processor. It’s useful for reading small print on websites or flyers and is handy for other delicate tasks, such as editing photographs.