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> Can you advise me about how to go about contacting the proper > Microsoft organizationi to request tihese programs? Hi Milton, Don't know where you are, probably in the US, huh? Information on accessibility options for disabled people can be obtained from Microsoft Sales Information Center Voice telephone: (800) 426-9400 One Microsoft Way Text telephone: (800) 892-5234 Redmond, WA 98052-6393 Fax: (206) 635-6100 The programs are in a combined file called "Access Pack for Microsoft Windows" for Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups 3.11, and in a combined file called "Access Pack for MS-DOS" for MS-DOS versions 5.xx to 6.xx. The Access Pack for Windows 95 comes as a part of the installation CD for Windows 95. The pack is installed by selecting "Accessibility Options" when installing Windows 95, or, if Windows 95 has already been installed, opening the Control Panel, selecting "Add/Remove Programs", "Windows Setup", "Accessibility Options". The installed files will occupy about 8 Mb. on the hard disk. After installation, the individual programs can be installed and set up by opening the Control Panel, selecting "Accessibility", then selecting the programs wanted. The suite features: Emergency Hot-Keys - an alternate way of activating accessibility features. For users with low vision: Scalable user interface elements (fonts, scroll bars, titles, etc.) Customisable Display for Mouse Pointer (pointer size, pointer colour, speed of pointer, visible mouse trails, pointer animation) High-contrast colour schemes High-contrast mode For hearing-impaired users: ShowSounds - a global flag that instructs applications to provide visible feedback notices to represent system sounds, making the application, in effect, "closed-captioned." SoundSentry - tells Windows to send a visual clue such as a blinking title-bar, or a screen flash, whenever the computer "beeps". Chat - an application that provides network facilities for up to seven users, "conversing" simultaneously using a "whiteboard" and keyboard input. For the physically disabled: StickyKeys - for situations where two or more keys would normally have to be pressed at once (eg, CTRL + B for 'bold" in a word processor). The user need only press each key in turn; the computer will store them in a buffer, and "play" them together when the last key has been pressed. FilterKeys - has three features - 1. SlowKeys instructs Windows to ignore keystrokes that are not held down for a minimum time - Avoids the "stutters" - 2. Repeat keys lets users adjust or disable the repeat-rate function for keyboards - ideal for users who have slow reactions, and can't let keys go in time to prevent eeeee, etc., and 3. BounceKeys, for users with tremor whose fingers tend to "bounce" on the keys when pressed or released. It instructs Windows to ignore unintended keystrokes. NOTE: The FilterKeys functions slow down keyboard input, which can make "normal" users go ballistic, but the programs feature adjustments hat can be made to turn each feature "on" or "off", depending on the user. MouseKeys enables users to use the numeric keypad, to the right of the alphanumeric keys, as a substitute for a mouse. Arrow keys move the mouse pointer in the direction indicated, the "5" button acts as a single mouse "click", with combinations of other keys providing "drag-and-drop", "selecting" and "jumping" Holding down the "SHIFT" key enables the mouse pointer to be moved a pixel at a time. I use the MouseKeys function for greater accuracy in fine graphics. Alternate input devices are also catered for: SerialKeys supports such devices as "speech-to-text". Alternative pointing devices such as head-pointers or "eye-gaze" systems are supported. Alternative Keyboard layouts such as Dvorjak, and keyboard layouts (left and right) for single-handed users are also supported. The TRACE R&D Center at the University of Wisconsin-Madison produces a book and a CD that describe products that help disabled people use computers. The book, "TRACE Resource Book", provides photos and descriptions of about 2,000 products. The CD "CO-NET CD", provides a database of over 18,000 products and other information for users with disabilities. The TRACE R&D Centre can be contacted at Trace R&D Center Voice telephone: (608) 263-2309 S-151 Waisman Center Text Telephone: (608) 263-5408 1500 Highland Avenue Fax: (608) 262-8848 The various Microsoft Access Packs (nothing to do with the Access database, application, incidentally) can be downloaded from any of the national Microsoft Web sights, I believe, or from http://www.microsoft.com. I have installed accessing-device hardware and software for totally deaf users, unsighted and poorly-sighted users, paraplegics and quadriplegics. I never cease to be amazed and impressed by the determination, courage and immense patience of such people, who often use the customised systems to carry out paid work, or to assist in gaining university degrees, etc. (BTW, I have no financial interest in any of the hardware, software, or organisations mentioned above, and any services for the disabled are performed free of charge - how could I charge anyone in the same need as myself?) Jim * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * James F. Slattery, J.P., M.A.C.S. JandA Computing Consultancy E-mail: [log in to unmask] * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *