Accessibility Features
Enhance your digital experience with accessibility tools built into your device and Microsoft products. These features are designed to make technology easier to navigate, reduce eye strain, and help improve focus, regardless of your abilities or preferences.
Accessibility Features for Windows/Mac
Most modern computers come equipped with built-in accessibility tools design to make your experience more comfortable and customizable. These features help improve your visibility, enhance focus, and simplify navigation:
- Contrast, Color Filters, and Dark Mode: Adjust display settings to reduce eye strain and improve readability by switching to dark more or applying color filters tailored to your needs.
- Magnifier: Zoom in on specific areas of your screen with a built-in magnifier, making small text and details to see.
- Customize Mouse Pointer: Personalize the size, color, and style of your mouse pointer for better visibility. Specifically on a Mac, the “Shake to Find” features make locating the cursor effortless by enlarging it briefly.
- Text Size: Increase or adjust text size across the operating system to make reading more comfortable without needing additional tools.
- Narrator (PC) and Read Aloud (Mac): These screen readers provide spoken feedback, allowing you to navigate you to navigate menus, read on-screen content, and interact with your device more effectively.
Learn more about available accessibility features in Windows.
Learn more about available accessibility features in MacOS.
Accessibility Features in Microsoft
Microsoft offers a variety of accessibility tools to help you customize your experience, improve focus, and make content easier to read and understand:
- Read Aloud: Have text read to you aloud in Word, Outlook, and other Microsoft apps, making it easier to process information without straining your eyes.
- Immersive Reader: Transform your reading experience with tools like adjustable page color, line spacing, syllable splitting, and line reader (PC only). The Reading Coach (available in the web version) provides personalized feedback to enhance reading skills.
- Focus Mode: Eliminate distractions with this feature that simplifies your view for a clean, distraction-free reading experience.
Learn more about the available accessibility features in Microsoft products.
Additional Accessibility Tools
Closed Captioning in Meetings – You have the ability to turn on closed captions in meetings in both Zoom and Microsoft Teams, benefiting those with hearing and also providing clarity and enhancing participant focus for all.
Accessibility in Your Browser – Each browser has specific accessibility features available.
Additional accessibility features may be available with third-party software. For more information, reach out to either CX or Student Accessibility Services.
For faculty resources on creating accessible content for students in Canvas, visit the TLT SharePoint page on Accessibility (log in required).
