Please note that the library computers will not remember these settings for your next session.

You can print or download this Accessibility helpsheet [PDF 1,119 KB - not accessible].

1. Accessibility options on a library computer

The accessibility options available on a library computer are Magnifier, Narrator, On Screen Keyboard and High Contrast. This helpsheet shows you how to access and use each of these functions.

Opening the Ease of Access Centre 

Once you have signed into a library computer and the library website homepage has loaded, double click on the Accessibility icon in the top left of the screen. 

Double click on Ease of Access Center to view the Accessibility Tools menu: Start Magnifier, Start On-Screen Keyboard, Start Narrator or Set up High Contrast.

Choosing a tool

Click on each of the options listed to begin using that tool.

Magnifier magnifies the screen up to 400%. When you select this option a magnifying glass icon will appear and will be visible until you stop using magnifier.

You can change which area of the screen you are viewing through the magnifier by moving the cursor up, down, left, or right without clicking or scrolling.

To change the size of the screen display click the magnifying glass icon and use the + plus symbol to increase the zoom or the - minus symbol to reduce it.

Narrator is a screen reader that reads and describes aloud what’s on your screen. A blue border will be visible around the text being read. To close the tool click Exit.

You will need headphones to use this in the library. When you plug in your headphones a pop-up box will appear on the screen, asking “Which device did you plug in?” Select Headphones and click OK.

On-Screen keyboard opens a keyboard which can be moved around the screen by clicking its edges and dragging. You can use the mouse or the touchscreen to type with this keyboard. Click the X in the top right corner of the keyboard to close it at any time.

High Contrast enables you to select from alternative screen displays which use different font colours and backgrounds. Click the link to Choose a High Contrast Theme.

First, maximise the window by clicking the box in the top right corner. Then, click the option you wish to use under High Contrast Themes. The screen and all programs you run will use this font and screen background combination. To return to the default theme, select the option Windows Default Theme.

2. Keyboard language on a library computer

This guide will show you how to use the language settings on a library computer to bring up an on-screen keyboard with a different alphabet.

Opening the Control Panel

Once you have signed into a library computer and the library website homepage has loaded, click on the Windows icon in the bottom left corner of the screen.

On the Start menu, find the programme Control Panel in the alphabetical list, and left click once to open it.

Selecting a language

Click Language to open the language preferences for the library computer.

The settings will show that the current keyboard layout is English (United Kingdom). To add a new keyboard layout, click the option Add a language just above this.

This will open a list of all available languages in alphabetical order. Scroll through to find the language you want. Select it by clicking on the language and then clicking Add in the bottom right corner.

Opening the keyboard

To open the on screen keyboard, find the small keyboard icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.

Click the keyboard icon in the bottom right corner of the keyboard to view all the different language options. You should see English (United Kingdom) and whichever languages you added earlier.

Click the new keyboard layout you would like to use, and the keyboard will appear on the computer screen.

You can use the mouse or the touchscreen to type with this keyboard. Click the X in the top right corner of the keyboard to close it at any time.

3. Immersive Reader on Microsoft Edge

This guide will help you to use Immersive Reader in Microsoft Edge to read the screen more easily.

Opening Immersive Reader

Once you have signed into a library computer and the library website homepage has loaded, double click the Microsoft Edge icon on the right of the screen.

Open the webpage you want to view. Highlight the text you want to view in Immersive Reader, then right click.

Select the option Open selection in Immersive Reader.

Changing the Immersive Reader options

Once the text is open in Immersive Reader, you can change how you would like to view it.

Click on each of the options in the menu bar at the top of the screen to begin using Immersive Reader.

Read aloud will read the text on the screen. Click Voice options to choose different voices and languages.

You will need headphones to use this in the library. When you plug in your headphones a pop-up box will appear on the screen, asking “Which device did you plug in?” Select Headphones and click OK. 

In Grammar tools, you can identify syllables, verbs, nouns etc.

In Reading preferences, you can highlight lines to help focus, use a picture dictionary and translate the text.

To exit Immersive Reader click the back button. If you close the screen, you close the original document or browser page too.

This guide has been produced by West Sussex County Council Library Service ©2023