Website Accessibility Policy

Magnify your screen

If enlarging the text is not enough to make the page easily readable, the next step is to magnify your screen. Recent versions of Windows include magnification software, which will allow you to increase text to a very large size.

The Windows magnifier is limited in its functionality, however, so many visually impaired users find they need a more sophisticated magnification software program. Here is a list of screen magnifier products:

[disclaimer]

• Lunar
• MAGic
• Apple Magnification
• ZoomText

Make your mouse pointer more visible

The mouse pointer is sometimes hard to see. A Windows feature can help you locate it. (Some mouse drivers or software may not have this feature). Not all versions of Windows behave the same and you may need to refer to Windows help pages for further assistance.

Finding your Cursor in Windows:

1. Click on the ‘Start’ button or press the ‘Windows’ logo key or press ‘Ctrl’ + ‘Esc’.
2. Click on ‘Control Panel’ or press the keyboard ‘C’.
3. Make sure you are in ‘Classic View.’ If ‘Pick a category’ is the main title on the page and under the ‘Control Panel’ title is ‘Switch to Classic View,’ click this view (you are currently in ‘Category View’) by clicking on the link or press tab to select ‘Switch to Classic View’ and press ‘Enter.’
4. In ‘Classic View’ double click ‘Mouse’ or repeatedly press the ‘M’ key until ‘Mouse’ is highlighted and press ‘Enter.’
5. The ‘Mouse Properties’ page should be displayed.
6. Click on the ‘Pointer Options tab’ or press ‘Ctrl’ + ‘Tab’ until the ‘Pointer Options’ tab is activated.
7. Click the checkbox ‘Show location of pointer when I press the CTRL key’ or press ‘Alt’+’S’ on the keyboard which puts a tick in the box.
8. Click ‘OK’ or press ‘Enter’ to confirm and exit mouse properties. Now pressing ‘Ctrl’ will give a visual clue by surrounding the pointer with circles.

Note: If this does not work, it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies-contact your local IT support for further help.

Making your Mouse Pointer larger for Windows XP:(If you have a different mouse or a different mouse driver installed, the options could look slightly different than as described in this section.)

1. To begin, follow steps 1 through 5 under the previous section, Finding Your Cursor.
2. Click on the ‘Pointers tab’ or press ‘Ctrl’ + ‘Tab’ until the ‘Pointer Options’ tab is activated.
3. Underneath ‘Scheme,’ click on the drop-down box of predefined sets of mouse pointers, or press ‘Tab’ until the scheme box is highlighted, and the list appears.
4. Use arrow keys to move through the list to highlight each cursor scheme. First, try sets labeled ‘Large’, ‘Extra Large’ or ‘Inverted’.
5. To choose a scheme, click on it or if highlighted, press ‘Enter.’
6. Click ‘OK’ or press ‘Enter’ to exit the ‘Mouse Properties’ page.

Note: If this does not work, it could be that your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies-contact your local IT support for further help.

Use your computer to read web pages out loud

You can use a free browser plug-in called BrowseAloud to listen to the web pages on social security.gov. This plug-in is provided to you at no cost.

BrowseAloud helps people who may find it difficult to read text online, those who may have literacy problems, or those with learning disabilities such as dyslexia. It is also a beneficial tool for those for whom English is a second language.

BrowseAloud reads the words on any web page through your computer speakers and highlights words as they are spoken. BrowseAloud can be used in two ways.

1. You can select a “continuous” option, which allows the entire contents of a web page to be read without using the mouse.
2. You can select individual words or sentences on a page, and BrowseAloud will read them out loud.

You can turn BrowseAloud on and off with a click of the Ctrl key on your keyboard. You can also customize the voice, pitch, and speed of the reader to suit their needs.

You must download and install the BrowseAloud plug-in before using it.

Download BrowseAloud
BrowseAloud Technical Assistance