Changing the Mouse Pointer Size

Here's another little tip to help students with low vision to access the computer display without spending extra money on specialized software. Windows XP actually has quite a few built in features that allow anyone to change how the desktop looks.
Try these steps:
1. Click on Start button at the bottom of the screen. Move up to Settings, then to Control Panel and click. You should now see a window with many icons, including "Mouse":

2. Click on Mouse, then look for the tab Pointers.

3. Click on the down arrow under Scheme, then choose the pointer configuration that works best for your student (test them out!). When you find the one that works best, make sure to click Apply, then OK. This will make sure the computer remembers your pointer preference.

Accessing Windows Built-In Magnifier

Here's another great tip from Michael, along with directions to access Windows own Magnifier--did you know Windows provided this free little application for people who have limited vision?
Follow the directions below and see how it works for you/your student.

1. Press the “Windows” key on the keyboard, or left-click the “Start” icon located in the lower left corner of the computer screen.
2. Go to “All Programs”.
3. Go to “Accessories”.
4. Go to “Accessibility”. [Note: In Windows Vista it's called Ease of Access]
5. Left-click on “Magnifier”.

At this point two dialogue boxes will appear. The first is titled “Microsoft Magnifier”. This box simply describes the population that will benefit from its use. If you do not wish to see this message each time you access the magnifier, click the “Do not show this message again” box prior to clicking “OK”.

The second dialogue box is titled “Magnifier Settings”. Here you can choose your magnification level, up to nine times the size of the original. It also offers Tracking and Presentation options, including color inversion (i.e., reverse imaging).

You may resize the width of the magnification window, make it vertical rather than horizontal, or float it around the screen to a different location. Use the left-click option for this operation.

You can create a desktop shortcut by right-clicking the “Magnifier” icon before opening the program. Move to the right, and choose Send to--Desktop (Create Shortcut). Left click, and the Magnifier icon should appear on your desktop. You may rename it if desired by right-clicking on it and selecting “Rename”.

Note #1:
The magnifier comes in handy when using the built-in calculator, which has exceptionally small lettering on the function keys: + -* / =.

Note #2: The magnifier works with the High Contrast Settings.

Note #3:
Activating the magnifier tends to jumble the icons on my desktop. Be prepared!

How to Enlarge the Screen On a Mac

Well, most of our software for students who have limited vision or are blind is only for Windows computers. But what if you have a student who's in a classroom where there are only Macs available? If the computers have OS10.3 or above (you'll see a little blue apple in the upper left of the display), then here's what you can do for those students who have limited vision.
1. Click on the blue apple in upper left. Click on System Preferences.


2. Click on the Universal Access icon (blue circle with stick figure inside).


3. Click on Mouse and Keyboard (Trackpad for laptop) tab. Drag Cursor Size slider to the right to enlarge the cursor/arrow to desired size.


4. Click on Zoom (under "Seeing tab"). This turns it on, but you won't see any change on the display yet. To enlarge the display, press and hold the two keys to the left of the spacebar (alt/option and apple/command keys), then press the + key. To reduce the size, press the same two keys to the left of spacebar, then press the - key.


For students who need high contrast, you can click on Display (under Zoom option) and click on White on Black option. You can adjust the contrast with the slider.


Hope this works for you!