Windows 10 Accessibility Features For The Blind And Visually Impaired • 2020 Spring Update

With the 2020 spring update, Windows accessibility has gotten some major upgrades! In this video, we take a look at Windows magnifier and screen enhancements such as color filters and enlarging text. This is a full walk-through of most of the accessibility options for low-vision.
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[@whatjackhasmade]

Love the video, magnifier on windows changed my life and this update is promising. Keep it up dude

[@justinlaprade567]

Fantastic, helpful video. I was not aware of these new updates. I use the magnifier extensively but have only used the narrator in extreme situations. Love that the narrator looks to be a lot easier to use within the magnifier. Thanks for making this video, Sam!

[@darquequeen2323]

Thank you Sam. I’m excited to see the improvements made, and can’t wait to make the custom adjustments to my laptop. Looking forward to the video on Narrator! 👍🏽👍🏽

[@anodysseyofsteven1985]

Thanks Sam. This is a perfect video for what I am looking for to work on setting up my computer ion to my laptop I mean TV. Thanks for another wonderful informational video.

[@JuanAlcazar]

Great overview. I still need to play around with some of these settings.

[@javierdiaz7958]

Awesome info as always Sam! I look forward to your video on narrator.

[@erniegilbertll]

Great video!! A lot of helpful hints and info -- thanks.

[@JamesJohnson-gi7up]

Followed your guide step by step, great tutorial for the Vi. Thankd

[@blindman1986]

Hey Sam thanks so much for this! I am going to share this video in the Cone-rod dystrophy group I am in on Facebook. Thanks again you are awesome !

[@theblindlife]

That would be great, thank you!

[@rebeccafields-pittman4788]

Thank you for the tips. Just got a new laptop and I'm trying to adjust all the settings. I got a document camera too to use like a cctv. It is such a struggle to come up with solutions that are portable and affordable. Ohio has very scarce resources for visually impaired people and your videos help me stay up to date.

[@lindaklapak5541]

Super helpful, thanks!

[@legallyblind4215]

OMG, I did not know that we can make the mouse pointer bigger now! That is a relief! Thanks, Sam! The reading options are going to be a lot of help as well!

[@AB-80X]

That has been an option since Win 3.1...

[@elishevafreely3206]

😯That reading option is a game changer for me! 🌞 Thank you so much for making this video! I had no clue that those updates were there.

[@theblindlife]

My pleasure!

[@HendreH]

This video has helped me soooo much! I am truly grateful. Thanks Sam!

[@StephieBarber]

Thank you so much! My dad is rapidly losing his vision from Stargarts Disease, but still managing two businesses, and struggling to do a lot of simple tasks particularly on file explorer and on the computer in general. I'm looking forward to running through these accessibility options with him to make his life easier. Cheers :)

[@theblindlife]

Glad it was helpful! If you guys have any more questions about this, shoot me an email!

[@scottcbarlow]

Sam, thanks so much for all your help with windows and th3e updates that are part of magnifer. It has been such a better experiance than Zoomtext ever was. NOw, I love the new "Reading" update that was added. Thanks again.

[@christybauer7424]

Thank you SO much! You can't know how helpful your channel is to me!!!

[@theblindlife]

Very glad it’s been helpful!

[@hilaryweiner893]

Thanks for showing us these new features of Windows ease of access. The invert colors command has been around for awhile and I use it all the time. But the additional color schemes may be helpful in reducing glare compared with white on black, especially with dark wallpaper. A yellow background with black text could do the trick for me.

[@LoneWolfAudio0524]

This is a fantastic video. I would use all these settings. The newest version of Windows Magnifier has changed my life both at work and at home. No longer must I suffer the SMAS and memory memory bleeding of Magic or Zoomtext! I pretty mua much use invertt colors for everything but I love the idea of just changing the actual contrast to a theme. What I find though is what I've always found, and that's how windows high contrast often hides certain text when in that mode. For instance, in Reaper, my digital audio workstation, it often hides the values in my EQ. This happens on the web too. invert colors works better in not doing that. But then of course you have inverted pictures too. I'd love to be told how wrong I am.

[@allisonhennessy553]

Really really helpful! I mostly work with Apple products, but I am looking to expand my knowledge and learn the accessibility features on Windows too.

[@lindahorton6910]

Thank you so much for this. It's (almost) exactly what I needed, until I can get the same one for Narrator.

[@vvaughan]

Great stuff, Sam! Keyboard shortcut tip: Windows key and U brings up Ease of Access.

[@rushankparvate7353]

Please make a video on screen readers like Narrator or NVDA.

[@heavymetaljunkie76]

Hey Sam loved your content. At times Magnifier is too clunky and slow, and uses ZoomText which has better features and Zoom Compatibility. Have a great weekend.

[@rafaeltorovip]

Excellent video Sam. As I am using both, Mac and Windows, sometimes can be confusing-how to access and change settings for accessibility settings on each operating system. Thanks.

[@antonyporter5045]

great video I love my large mouse pointer

[@LiveAccessible]

Hey Sam, what's that Bose frames giveaway? Haha. I love how you use sticky notes too! Great video as always. 😀

[@SamuelSeavey]

UPS, you aren't supposed to see that! Just a future video idea. If they ever return my call anyway!

[@zog9]

My PC has been in storage for a while & I've not used It for a couple of years, so I'm really looking forward to this update! The accessibility settings have come a long way since XP's docked only, rather useless magnifier. Thanks for the video Sam!

[@theblindlife]

LOL, the old XP days! They were the dark ages of windows accessibility, LOL!

[@theblindmutt4706]

Awesome!

[@BobHansler]

Going to use this. Awesome video.

[@ramblingmillennial1560]

I had no idea about the ctrl + alt + space shortcut. Now I wont have to hit - a million times to zoom out just for a few seconds lol also i noticed the great improvement in your typing :)

[@theblindlife]

LOL, thanks for noticing, I’ve been practicing! If you like the Ctrl plus alt plus space command, you’re gonna love what they are working on now! Somethings similar but even better, that’s all I can say! Stay tuned

[@ramblingmillennial1560]

@@theblindlife ooh sounds interesting! I will be keeping an eye out!

[@booboobangbang6685]

Sam- looking to create a new home computer setup. Would you tell us what computer and monitor specs you’re running and why? Thanks!

[@theblindlife]

Sure, I’ll do an updated video about my computer set up very soon.

[@korrm3494]

Hello. I have a big question for you. Im visually impair and i wonder if i can popup a virtual keyboard on screen with narrator built in this keyboard like on android wwith talk back or ios with voice over. Because if there was a way to do it i would be able to use a surface pro without linking a physical keyboard. I really hope we can do it because bringing a physical keyboard with my surface pro all the time its kinda annoying... thank you for your accessibilities video information.

[@alfredoloaiza1186]

I'm Brazilian and became almost blind three days a o with sn aneurysm stroke and I'm struggling to keep working to provide for my family and then, founded you. Want to give you my eternal gratitude for this content... and ask for you permission to make a spanish and portuguese version of thi video . I am a certified translator and a voice over artist. Do you authorize me? i will iv you full credit and link for your original english on my vertsions.

[@janetspony7948]

Sam, have you ever reviewed ZoomText? We just had it installed for my son and I'd love to see some of it's in and outs if you are familiar with it.

[@theblindlife]

I am a former zoom text user but, for some reason, I’ve never done a video on it! That might be something I can do in the future.

[@janetspony7948]

@@theblindlife You said former user... do you just use the regular accessibility options that come on windows now? We got it free through our state's Commission for the Blind... not sure if it's any better than the ones that come with windows.

[@KennethBSmith]

GREAT!! But I am on a Mac. Will you be doing this for Mac OS? Or do you know where to find one? BTW, which large monitor do you use/recommend? Thanks.

[@KennethBSmith]

I did find this but it seems a bit old and the volume is. wack. Mac OS X Accessibility Features kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGiyl4KHmtRmg9E via #kbs4AMvigal

[@theblindlife]

Unfortunately I don’t have a Mac! LOL! You could check out Derek Daniels channel, life after site loss, he has a Mac and probably has some videos about its accessibility.

[@Darkenforcer]

hey Sam, how do you get the clock so big on your background /wallpaper area ? i have search for that since it vanished in windows vista... , is it an extension or some kind of app ?

[@theblindlife]

It’s a third-party free application called rain meter. I have a video showing how to get the large clock. You can search on KZbin for the blind life rain meter, you should find the video that way.

[@cem_kaya]

can you please make a video for magnification in linux ? especially for the raspberry pi mini computer. They have created a new magnifier from scratch they might appreciate some feedback.

[@theblindlife]

That sounds pretty cool but unfortunately I don’t own a raspberry pi computer.

[@cem_kaya]

is it posable to map different amount of magnification to different short cuts ?(like win + "+" for %50 and alt + win + "+" for %10 ) is it posable to adjust the time for the zoom out (alt + Ctrl +space combo ) ?

[@theblindlife]

No, they don’t give you that much customization. You can only set the percentage of the magnification.

[@cem_kaya]

@@theblindlife thanks for the info

[@gam07d56]

My windows doesn’t have the read option:(!

[@davidhartline9172]

Hi Sam, what do you think is the largest practical size for a monitor on an arm? Thanks!

[@pageboy1974]

As far as i can tell 27 inch is the largest size monitor that arms are made for. I have just bout a 27 inch monitor. I get very close to it so I didn't think that larger would be beneficial as I would just have to move my head too much. Though Sam does seem to have a bigger one.

[@theblindlife]

At my former job, I was using a 32 inch monitor on a desk mounted arm without any problems. Here at the house I have a wall mounted arm and use a 40 inch TV on it. Not having any issues with it either. Now, of course, it will depend on certain factors. How heavy the television is for example. Also, my wall-mounted monitor arm is bolted into a stud which makes it much more secure.

[@davidhartline9172]

The Blind Life Thanks Sam!

[@AB-80X]

The day the built in accibility can replace Zoomtext, will be a great day.

[@theblindlife]

Honestly, we are pretty much there already. Windows 11 can do pretty much everything that zoom text does. It still needs to get a better hover function though. Either way, I haven’t used Zoom text since Windows 8.

[@AB-80X]

@@theblindlife In many ways yes. However, I struggle with two things though. One is that I have spent a lot of time trying to get used to Win 11, and while the changes between that and Win 10 should not be night and day, I just can't get comfortable with the changes, so I'm on Win 10. The other is that I've become very reliant on the ability to create custom shortcuts in ZoomText. I love the fact that I can set my Invert colours on/off switch in a way so that It's only a one hand command,(Alt+A in my case), and zoom in and out just by using Alt and then just + or -. Control+Alt+C may not seem like a lot, but when you spend hours on end during work and leisure time, I find that there's a lot to be gained in terms of simplicity by not having to let go of a mouse etc. as that alone can push the cursor out of my vision. Do you happen to know if changing shortcuts in Win 10 accessibilities is an option. Most important change the shortcut for the colour changes?

[@evaterry2832]

Are the new acceptability functions only on windows pro?I have windows home.

[@theblindlife]

That’s a good question, I’m not 100% sure but I would think that windows accessibility would be the same on all of their windows versions. Accessibility by its very nature is inclusive to everyone, so I don’t think they would hold some features just for the pro version.

[@evaterry2832]

Thank you, I finally found it. Liked your segment on AT TOC. Well I have been majorly impaired for a long time all than you digital high-tech devices have just recently come to my attention. The number of them and the various features are downright overwhelming. Thank you for your reviews in the vital information you provide.

[@bootechnology6701]

Hi, what the theme you using in this video? Dark background and white text. I sure you not using high contract theme because you just turn on in this demotration. Thank

[@theblindlife]

I am actually just using Windows new dark mode. I am posting a video about it this Saturday.

[@bootechnology6701]

The Blind Life ok, thank. Looking forward to watch your video

[@shellyprashadsingh5886]

I normally use the magnifier but now I can't get it to work with Excel can you advise me on this

[@theblindlife]

My XL is crashing also. Must be a bug with the latest update. I have already reported this to the windows accessibility team. Hopefully they will put out an update soon.

[@marknunns137]

Sam, love your channel. When you zoom to 300% or more in Magnifier, your text stays crystal clear, my text becomes blurry. My monitor is 1920 x 1080. Do you have any ideas that I could try? I am not visually impaired, but I'm trying to support a relative who has dry age-related macular degeneration.

[@theblindlife]

First, make sure you are up-to-date on the latest version of windows 10. Then go into the ease of access settings and navigate to magnifier. Make sure your edge smoothing is turned on. That’s probably the problem.

[@marknunns137]

@@theblindlife thanks Sam. Both my PC and my relative's laptop have the latest Windows 10, and have the Magnifier edge smoothing turned on already. I noticed that in the Display - 'Make Everything Bigger' setting you are at 300%, on my PC it is at 125%. My maximum setting is 175%, and the blurring issue did improve when I tried 175%. I suspect I need to change my 1080p monitor for a 4k monitor to have the option of 300%. Best wishes. P.S. I am buying a 32 inch monitor for the laptop

[@TimDixon82]

Awesome work Sam. This is super helpful. Seeing what works well for you helps focus my efforts. Do you use any screen readers? I ask as I have similar issues with reading numbers like you did and I am not sure I trust using magnification and my eyes. I am leaning towards going screenreader edomibebtly but the learning curve is high. The unlearning is probably harder... Thanks again Sam

[@theblindlife]

I only use a screen reader in certain situations where I don’t want to try to read a large section of text. Emails, webpages, Facebook posts, etc. are usually use a free third-party software called natural reader but have been using the Magnifier reader that I showed in this video more often lately. I have a video showing how to use the natural reader application, you can search for it on my channel.

[@heidigeiman1885]

Would Nateritl reader be Holpful to you

[@theblindlife]

Not exactly sure what you’re asking about. I think you’re talking about natural reader. Yes, I use that program quite often. Very helpful

[@muts4028]

Anyone know how i can get this big clock on desktop?

[@theblindlife]

I’ve done a couple videos showing how to get the large clock widget. You can search on my channel for rain meter. That’s the name of the program.

[@muts4028]

@@theblindlife Thank you so much!

[@kalpeshrawal2007]

Can window accessibility work on internet or bloging wordpress

[@kalpeshrawal2007]

Plz reply

[@theblindlife]

Windows accessibility is built into the system, so pretty much anything you do on the computer the accessibility will work with. This excludes some video games.

[@antonyporter5045]

Hi what size is yr monitor ?

[@theblindlife]

Are use a 40 inch 4K Samsung TV as my computer monitor. I have a video on my channel talking about it and it’s accessibility.

[@antonyporter5045]

great cheers but sometimes a screen can be too big + I cant see the far corners/sides, maybe a curved screen ?

[@nystview4794]

Windows has come a long way from the terrible days of XP!

[@mrmasters75]

What is the narrator like?