Technology

Using your PC

Summary: Find out how to use your PC and the internet more efficiently with keyboard shortcuts, accessibility features and other programs.

• Keyboard shortcuts
• Improving the way you use the internet
• AbilityNet skillsheets
• Microsoft resources

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Keyboard shortcuts

For most people with sight problems the most effective way to use a computer is to control the software by using keyboard commands. These are normally found in the help files of the programs themselves, and accessing this is often the best way to learn a new program. Many software suppliers also list keystrokes for their products on their websites.

Below are links to lists of keyboard shortcuts for various programs we have summarised.

Access software packages

• Jaws
• Supernova
• Zoomtext
• Magic

Internet browsers

• Internet Explorer
• Netscape

Microsoft Office

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Outlook

Operating systems

• Windows XP

Improving the way you use the internet

• Surfing the web - How do people with sight problems use the internet?
• Make your web browser more accessible by increasing the text without using any special software.
• Find out more about talking and text only web browsers
• Find out how to make the web easier to use with the BBC website My Web My Way

AbilityNet skillsheets

AbilityNet provide various factsheets and skillsheets about making your PC easier to use. They also have a My Computer My Way website that explains how to make changes to Windows computers to make them easier for disabled people to use.

Microsoft resources

Comprehensive resources from Microsoft about the accessibility features in their products.
Microsoft Accessibility Site

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Content author: technology@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 08/04/2008 18:38