How to use Ease of Access features in WMC

[Shaan12]

Hi, I am using windows 7 currently and i have heard that my sister can also use windows media center. Actually she is almost like blind. But she eagerly want to interact with the computers. Please somebody help me to help my sister. I just want to know how to use such features of Windows Media Center ?

[Eric B]

It is a great feature provided by the Windows Media Center that is Ease of Access. Basically this feature is made for physically handicapped peoples. This feature would definitely helping your sister to get interacted with the computers. There are three features provided in this. Narrator, Magnifier, and Descriptive Video Service (DVS).

[ZeDaX]

This feature has been made by Microsoft specially for those who are blind or who has weak eye vision. Narrator is a text-to-speech program from the Media Center. While Narrator is open, It will be reading all the text that are displayed on the screen as you navigate through media center. There are many functions to do with the narrator.

[Macarenas]

Here are some shortcuts key for using narrator more easily.
1. Ctrl+Shift+Enter - Get information about the current item.
2. Ctrl+Shift+Spacebar - Read the entire selected window.
3. Ctrl+Alt+Spacebar - Read the items that are selected in the current window.
4. Insert+Ctrl+G - Read a description of the items that appear next to the currently selected element.
5. Ctrl - Stop Narrator from reading text.
6. Insert+Q - Move the cursor backward to the beginning of any preceding text that has different formatting.
7. Insert+W - Move the cursor to the beginning of any text that follows it that has different formatting.
8. Insert+E - Move the cursor back to the beginning of any text that has the same formatting.
9. Insert+R - Move the cursor to the end of any text that has the same formatting.
10. Insert+F2 - Select all of the text that has the same formatting as the character at the cursor.
11. Insert+F3 - Read the current character.
12. Insert+F4 - Read the current word.
13. Insert+F5 - Read the current line.
14. Insert+F6 - Read the current paragraph.
15. Insert+F7 - Read the current page.
16. Insert+F8 - Read the current document.

[Glenny]

If somewhere you are not getting the voice of narrator in Windows Media Center then you can even change the voice of the narrator.
1. Go to Start menu and click Accessories from the All Programs.
2. Click on the Ease of Access and select Narrator.
3. Now select Voice Settings and make any of the following adjustments.

• Select Voice box will provide you different types of voices for narrating.

• If you select the higher number for the Set Speed then voice will become faster with respect to speed unit.

• Set Volume list will provide you the option for louder or lighter volume of the narrator's voice.

• In the Set Pitch list, Higher the number will make a high pitch of voice. It depend on individual that which voice is much easier to hear.

[Sam.D]

You can start narrator minimized in the taskbar.

1. Go to Start menu and open narrator from the Accessories.
2. Then make a check for the Start Narrator Minimized check box.
3. Now it will appear as an icon on the taskbar when you start narrator next time.
4. To restore its full size click on that icon presented on the taskbar.