Java Accessibility Guide > Enabling and Testing Java Access Bridge
Java Access Bridge is a technology that enables Java applications and applets that implement the Java Accessibility API to be visible to assistive technologies on Microsoft Windows systems. See Java SE Desktop Accessibility for more information.
The following topics are covered:
Java Access Bridge has been included in the Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) since JRE 7 Update 6 (7u6). Consequently, you do not need the standalone version of Java Access Bridge (the latest version is 2.0.2).
To enable Java Access Bridge, run the following command (where %JRE_HOME%
is the directory of your JRE):
%JRE_HOME%\bin\jabswitch -enable
Alternatively, in Windows Vista and later, you can enable Java Access Bridge through the Control Panel:
Note: After enabling Java Access Bridge, you must restart your assistive technology software and Java applications that use the accessibility API.
To disable Java Access Bridge, run the following command:
%JRE_HOME%\bin\jabswitch -disable
Note: You cannot disable Java Access Bridge through the Windows Ease of Access Center.
To test Java Access Bridge, follow these steps:
The Java Access Bridge testing tools,
jaccessinspector
and
jaccesswalker
, are available in JDK 11 and later and work with
all 64-bit JDK releases. These tools replace Java Ferret and Java Monkey.
To test 32-bit applications, use Java Ferret and Java Monkey, which are part of Java Access Bridge 2.0.2. Download it from Java Access Bridge Downloads. For more information about Java Access Bridge 2.0.2, Java Ferret, and Java Monkey, see Java Access Bridge Installation and Application Developer's Guide Release 2.0.2.
The following lists the minimum version requirements of some assistive technologies for 64-bit operating systems:
Note: It is recommend that you install both the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of the JRE. The 32-bit version only adds support for 32-bit assistive technology, and the 64-bit version only adds support for 64-bit assistive technology.
The JDK contains a private JRE. This is required to run tools included with the JDK. If you do not install the public JRE either as an option when installing the JDK or by installing the JRE by itself, and you intend to use the private JRE of the JDK, you will need to manually copy files as specified in the following table:
JDK | Windows Operating System | File to Copy | Destination Directory |
---|---|---|---|
32-bit | 32-bit | <path to the JDK install directory>\jre\bin\WindowsAccessBridge.dll |
C:\Windows\System32 |
32-bit | 64-bit | <path to the JDK install directory>\jre\bin\WindowsAccessBridge-32.dll |
C:\Windows\SysWOW64 |
64-bit | 64-bit | <path to the JDK install directory>\jre\bin\WindowsAccessBridge-64.dll |
C:\Windows\System32 |