Microsoft marked Global Accessibility Awareness Day yesterday by saying plans for improved accessibility options in Windows 10. The listed adjustments primarily concentrate on accessibility options for these with low or no imaginative and prescient, together with textual content cursor customisation and fairly just a few enhancements to the Narrator characteristic. These adjustments are scheduled as a part of the May replace for Windows 10.
The textual content cursor is getting a literal beef-up as Microsoft say many customers have informed them the cursor is tough to seek out when it’s too small and doesn’t distinction sufficient on textual content. You’ll have the ability to enhance the thickness of the cursor itself and add an indicator (seen above) with a customized measurement and colour to assist it stand out.
Windows 10’s in-built display screen reader Narrator is getting some enhancements as effectively. They’ve aimed to make studying extra pure by “reducing unnatural pauses and processing complete sentences to aid with proper pronunciation.” They’ve additionally redesigned Narrator sounds to enhance effectivity. “For example, rather than having to hear ‘scan on’ or ‘scan off’ when switching between scan mode and other modes, now you can choose to hear tones instead of the words,” they are saying.
Narrator will now begin robotically studying internet pages from the highest. “Automatic reading is intended to improve efficiency and give users confidence that the intended page loaded.” You may get a web page abstract on demand, which Microsoft say ought to assist perceive the complexity of a web page. Another hotly requested characteristic, they are saying, is the power to seek out out the place a hyperlink goes earlier than clicking it to help with ambiguous hyperlink textual content like “click here”.
“While we are excited to share our progress, we recognize that we have more work to do to create delightful experiences for people with disabilities,” say Microsoft “Thank you to the many people who have provided feedback—both positive and constructive—to help make Windows great.” You can add your individual ideas by taking part within the Windows Insider Program.
There are a lot extra particulars in Microsoft’s post together with extra on adjustments to the Narrator, adjustments to the Outlook mail utility, and the improved Magnifier.
