OS X Yosemite: Set options for accessibility

Set options for accessibility
Set accessibility options for your Mac

If you have difficulties with hearing, vision, or mobility, you can set options in Accessibility preferences to make your Mac easier to use.

To access the options, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Accessibility.

Display: Modify the screen display by inverting colors, removing color, reducing the transparent effect on some backgrounds in OS X, using shapes instead of colors to convey status and information, changing the contrast, and enlarging the cursor.

Zoom: Magnify items on the screen by zooming the entire screen or an area of the screen.

VoiceOver: Hear descriptions of what’s on the computer screen, and use the keyboard, gestures, or a braille device to control your Mac.

Descriptions: Hear a description of the visual content in movies, TV programs, and other media, if the descriptions are available.

Captions: Control how subtitles are styled, and whether to use closed captions and SDH instead, when they’re available.

Audio: Have the screen flash when alerts occur, and play stereo audio as mono.

Keyboard: Enter modifiers more easily using Sticky Keys, and prevent accidental keystrokes using Slow Keys.

Mouse & Trackpad: Control the pointer with the numeric keypad using Mouse Keys, or ignore the trackpad, and set trackpad and mouse options.

Switch Control: Turn on Switch Control and use one or more adaptive accessories to enter text and control your Mac. Use the Panel Editor to create custom panels that make it easier to use favorite apps and games.

Dictation: Choose and create spoken commands to use with Enhanced Dictation, to make it easier to control your Mac and use apps.

To quickly turn on common accessibility features, press Option-Command-F5, then select Zoom, VoiceOver, Mouse & Keyboard, and Display options.

The Displays, Sound, Keyboard, Trackpad, and Mouse panes of System Preferences also contain options that may help you.

Last Modified: Sep 23, 2015
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