Windows 10 Accessibility
Windows contains features that aid cognition, vision, hearing, and mobility.
Cognition
Make it easer to focus and get more things done with Windows
Take a Time Out
Quiet Hours, Notifications, Live Tiles and Task Bar Badges
Turn on Quiet Hours and you won’t be disturbed between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. Change your settings at any time to adjust how and when you see notifications and other alerts outside of Quiet Hours.
- Learn how to adjust you notification setting during quiet hours
- Learn how to disable Live Tiles
- Learn how to use the Task Bar to improve your productivity
Simplify Windows
Animations, Backgrounds and Transparency
Windows makes it easy to minimize distractions by reducing animations and turning off background images and transparency.
Put Suggestions on Hold
Edge, Cortana and Start Suggestions
Start Edge with a blank page and turn off Cortana and Start suggestions when you need to focus. They’ll be there when you turn them back on.
Clean Up Your Desktop
Desktop icons, Start and Task Bar
Sometimes you need to get organized before you can get down to business. Right-click on your Desktop and click View to arrange your icons. Take a few extra steps to organize your apps or Task Bar.
Limit Distractions
Edge Reading View
Clears distracting content from web pages so you can stay focused on what you really want to read. You can even change the style to suit your preferences.
Reading-Friendly Fonts
Fluent Fonts
Some fonts have been proven to make it easier to read. Fluent Sitka Small and Fluent Calibri are fonts that add character and enhance word and line spacing. They address “visual crowding.” Give them a try.
Save Time with Dictation
Speech Recognition
Dictate documents and email or surf the web just by saying what you see. With a little training, it understands you. And because it runs locally, no network is required and your privacy is protected.
- See how speech recognition lets you dictate to your computer
- Access the list of speech recognition commands
Choose the Right Words
Word Prediction
The On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) in Windows helps you author text with word prediction and completion. Not only does this help save time if you have mobility impairments, it can also help choose the best next word if you have a learning difference or cognitive impairment.
Improve Your Reading
Microsoft Edge e-Book Reader [New in the Creators Update]
The Microsoft Edge e-book reader includes options to increase text spacing and read text aloud to help make it easier for everyone to read and enjoy text, including people with learning differences like dyslexia and English language learners.
Vision
Make your device easier to see or use without a screen.
Use Your Device Without a Screen
Narrator
Narrator describes Windows and apps and enables you to interact with them without viewing a screen. Narrator comes with support for 27 languages, enables you to install more and supports multilingual reading. Command and control your device using a keyboard, controller or with a range of gestures on touch supported devices.
- Get started with Narrator
- Read the Narrator user guide
- Access the Braille version of the Narrator User Guide
Create Accessible Apps
Mail, Groove, Store and Other Apps
Narrator and other leading screen readers work well with Windows, apps and websites when developers plan for and build accessible app
Save time with shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts
Touchscreen gestures offer new possibilities, but keyboard shortcuts haven't gone away. Get the most out of Windows with shortcuts for apps and desktops.
- Learn more about Windows keyboard shortcuts
- Learn more about keyboard shortcuts for Narrator
- Learn more about keyboard shortcuts for Magnifier
Hear all the action
Audio descriptions
Supported on Microsoft media players, these audio tracks describe what is happening on the screen so that you don’t miss any of the action.
Get a closer look
Magnifier
Magnifier is a tool that enlarges part—or all—of your screen so you can see words and images better. It comes with a few different settings, so use it the way that suits you best.
Point accurately
Cursor and pointer size
It’s easier to follow the mouse by changing the pointer color and size. You can even add trails and touch feedback.
Delegate digitally
Cortana
Cortana is your digital assistant. She'll help you get things done, such as setting reminders, opening apps, finding facts, and sending emails and texts. The more you use Cortana, the more personalized your experience will be.
Save time with dictation
Speech recognition
Dictate documents and email or surf the web just by saying what you see. With a little training, it understands you. And because it runs locally, no network is required and your privacy is protected.
- Learn how to use speech recognition to dictate text and commands
- Review basic speech recognition commands
Make apps and text bigger
Customize your display
- Make the text and other items on your screen, such as icons, easier to see by making them the ideal size for you.
- Learn how to customize your display to make Windows easier to see
Notice every detail
High contrast themes
Increase the color contrast of text and images on your screen, making them easier to identify. Each high contrast theme can be customized to suit your needs and tastes.
Simplify Windows
Animations, backgrounds, and transparency
Windows makes it easy to minimize distractions by reducing animations and turning off background images and transparency.
Keep alerts up longer
Notification timing
In Windows, notifications disappear five seconds after they appear. This might not be enough time for you to notice them if you have difficulty seeing or hearing. You can increase the time a notification will be displayed up to five minutes.
Read in braille
Braille Beta [New in the Creators Update]
Narrator supports braille displays from more than 35 manufacturers using more than 40 languages and multiple braille variants, including grade 2 contracted braille.
Hearing
Make your device easier to hear or use with these visual alternatives to sound.
Break the sound barrier
Skype Translator
Instantly transcribes voice to text so you won’t miss what’s being said. You can even type a response and have it read to someone that can’t see your response. Skype Translator uses machine learning, so the more you use it, the better it gets.
See every gesture
Skype video calling
A great way for people who use sign language to communicate one-on-one or in group video calls. Skype is available on a variety of platforms and devices, so you don’t have to worry about whether your co-workers, friends and family can communicate with you.
Chat at your own pace
Messaging and sharing with Skype
Talk with your fingers—gossip away, plan a trip, or work on a project—all in an instant. Send files, photos and videos of any size. You can share your screen, too.
Catch your eye
Visual notifications for sound
If hearing audible alerts is difficult, you can replace or augment them with visible alerts. Rather than sound cues, you can have your active Window or entire screen flash when a notification arrives.
Keep alerts up longer
Notification timing
In Windows, notifications disappear five seconds after they appear. This might not be enough time for you to notice them if you have difficulty seeing or hearing. You can increase the time a notification will be displayed up to five minutes.
Read and enjoy
Closed captioning
Closed captions let you read the words that are spoken in movies or television shows. With Windows, you can customize things like color, size, and background transparency to suit your needs and tastes.
Hear it all in both ears
Mono Audio [New in the Creators Update]
By default, most stereo audio experiences send some sounds to the right channel or speaker and some sounds to the left channel. Windows supports mono audio, so that you can send all sounds to both channels, so you don’t miss any if you have partial hearing loss or deafness in one ear.
Mobility
Make your device easier to use if have limited reach or strength
Delegate digitally
Cortana
Cortana is your digital assistant. She'll help you get things done, such as setting reminders, opening apps, finding facts, and sending emails and texts. The more you use Cortana, the more personalized your experience will be.
Use voice commands
Speech recognition
Dictate documents and email or surf the web just by saying what you see. With a little training, it understands you. And because it runs locally, no network is required and your privacy is protected.
Choose the right words
Word prediction
The On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) in Windows helps you author text with word completion and word prediction. Not only does this help save time if you have mobility limitations, it can also help choose the best next word if you have a learning disability or cognitive impairment.
Type with your screen
On-Screen Keyboard (OSK)
Instead of relying on a physical keyboard to type and enter data, you can also use the On-Screen Keyboard. Select keys using a mouse or any other pointing device like a joystick or trackball.
Info at a glance
Live Tiles
Live Tiles in Windows 10 display information that is useful at a glance without opening an app. For example, the News tile displays headlines and the Weather tile displays the forecast. You can rearrange, resize, and move these tiles to make them work best for you.
Type what you want
Sticky, Filter, and Toggle Keys
If you have limited control of your hands, Windows enables you to personalize your keyboard. Type one command at a time or ignore repeated keys.
Chase the mouse away
Mouse Keys
Use the numeric keypad on your keyboard—instead of the mouse—to move the pointer.