Configuring Keyboard Accessibility Options

Enable keyboard accessibility features

Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features. When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become available. 

Disable if unused for

Select this option to deactivate keyboard accessibility preferences if the keyboard is not used for a specified period of time. Use the slider to specify the number of seconds of keyboard idle time required before the system disables the keyboard accessibility preferences. When the specified number of seconds elapses, the following keyboard accessibility preferences are disabled: 

• Bounce keys

• Mouse keys

• Slow keys

• Sticky keys

• Toggle keys

Beep when features turned on or off from keyboard

Select this option for an audible indication when a feature such as sticky keys or slow keys is activated, or deactivated. 

Import Feature Settings

Click on this button to import an AccessX configuration file.

Enable Sticky Keys

Select this option to perform multiple simultaneous keypress operations by pressing the keys in sequence. Alternatively, to enable the sticky keys feature, press Shift five times.

You can set the following sticky keys preferences: 

• Beep when modifier is pressed: Select this option for an audible indication when you press a modifier key.

• Disable if two keys pressed together: Select this option to specify that when you press two keys simultaneously, you can no longer press keys in sequence to perform multiple simultaneous keypresses.

Repeat Keys

Select this option to enable the autorepeat settings for your keyboard. You can set the following autorepeat preferences: 

• Delay: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the interval to wait after the first keypress before the automatic repeat of a pressed key.

• Speed: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the number of characters per second to enter.

Type to test settings

The test area is an interactive interface so you can see how the keyboard settings affect the display as you type. Type text in the test area to test the effect of your settings. 

Enable keyboard accessibility features

Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features. When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become available. 

Enable Slow Keys

Select this option to control the period of time that you must press-and-hold a key before acceptance. Alternatively, to enable the slow keys feature, press-and-hold Shift for eight seconds.

You can set the following slow keys preferences:  

• Only accept keys held for: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the period of time that you must press-and-hold a key before acceptance.

• Beep when key is: Select the appropriate option or options for an audible indication when a key is pressed, accepted, or rejected.

Enable Bounce Keys

Select this option to accept a key input and to control the key repeat characteristics of the keyboard. You can set the following bounce keys preferences:  

• Ignore duplicate keypresses within: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the interval to wait after the first keypress before the automatic repeat of a pressed key.

• Beep if key is rejected: Select this option for an audible indication of key rejection.

Enable Toggle Keys

Select this option for an audible indication of a toggle keypress. You hear one beep when a toggle key is turned on. You hear two beeps when a toggle key is turned off. 

Type to test settings

The test area is an interactive interface so you can see how the keyboard settings affect the display as you type. Type text in the test area to test the effect of your settings. 

Enable keyboard accessibility features

Select this option to enable keyboard accessibility features. When you select this option, the other options in the preference tool become available. 

Enable Mouse Keys

Select this option to make the numeric keypad emulate mouse actions. You can set the following mouse key preferences:  

• Maximum pointer speed: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the maximum speed that the pointer moves across the screen.

• Time to accelerate to maximum speed: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the duration of the acceleration time of the pointer.

• Delay between keypress and pointer movement: Use the slider or the spin box to specify the period of time that must pass after a keypress before the pointer moves.

Mouse Preferences

Click on this button to open the Mouse preference tool.