# Using the Accessibility Preference Tools

This chapter describes how to use the Accessibility preference tools to customize your desktop.

## Opening an Accessibility Tool

You can open an Accessibility preference tool in the following ways:

- From the Desktop Preferences menu

  Choose Applications Desktop Preferences Accessibility. Choose the preference tool that you require from the submenu. The dialog for the tool is displayed.

- From the Start Here location

  Open a Nautilus window, then choose Go Start Here. Alternatively, double-click on the Start Here object on the desktop background. The Start Here location is displayed. Double-click on the Preferences object in the Nautilus window, then double-click on the Accessibility folder.

## Configuring Keyboard Accessibility Options

Use the Keyboard accessibility preference tool to set the keyboard accessibility preferences. The Keyboard accessibility preference tool is also known as AccessX.

You can customize the settings for the Keyboard accessibility preference tool in the following functional areas:

- Basic

- Filters

- Mouse

### Basic Settings

lists the basic keyboard accessibility settings that you can modify.

#### Keyboard Accessibility Settings

Option | Function
--- | ---
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 enable you to deactivate the keyboard accessibility preferences. Specify the period of time that must pass before timeout occurs.
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. You can specify the following sticky keys settings:

- 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.

- Delay: Use this setting to specify the interval to wait after the first keypress before the automatic repeat of a pressed key.

- Speed: Use this setting 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.

### Filter Settings

lists the filter settings that you can modify.

#### Filter Settings

Option | Function
--- | ---
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. You can specify the following slow keys settings:

- Only accept keys held for: Use this setting 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 specify the following bounce keys settings:

- Ignore duplicate keypresses within: Use this setting 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.

### Mouse Settings

lists the mouse settings that you can modify.

#### Mouse Settings

Option | Function
--- | ---
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 specify the following mouse key settings:

- Maximum pointer speed: Use this setting to specify the maximum speed that the pointer moves across the screen.

- Time to accelerate to maximum speed: Use this setting to specify the duration of the acceleration time of the pointer.

- Delay between keypress and pointer movement: Use this setting 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.