Open Directory Site Microsoft Word Tutorials

Home >> Microsoft Office XP >> Word >> Overview

Overview

Microsoft® Word 2002 includes many powerful and useful accessibility features to make things easier to see on screen and easier to access with the mouse and keyboard. You can also choose sound and speech options that help you work with your documents more effectively.

Display and Readability

Zoom for readability—In most Office XP programs, including Word 2002, you can zoom in on your files to make information more readable on the screen. You can also choose to view in high contrast to improve legibility.

More ways to improve visibility of items on screen, see:

• Adjust size, zoom, and format options

• Choose color and sound options

Keyboard and Mouse

Customize toolbars and menus—Customize toolbars and menu commands to put the most used commands within easy reach to save time and increase productivity. For example, create a toolbar that contains only the buttons and menus you use most often, or, create a custom toolbar button or menu command.

Use Keyboard Shortcuts—Use keyboard shortcuts to complete some tasks faster and easier

Save time and keystrokes with AutoComplete—Complete words as you type, add frequently used words and phrases, automatically correct misspelled words, and store and insert text and graphics—automatically—in Office XP. See also:

• Automating Tasks

Sounds and Speech

Word 2002 helps increase productivity by supplementing traditional mouse and keyboard input with voice commands. You can dictate text, make direct formatting changes, and navigate menus using speech and voice commands you input by microphone.

• Use speech recognition—Speech recognition is installed in all Office programs by initially using the feature in Word, or by doing a custom installation. See:

• Installing and Training Speech Recognition

• Use Microsoft Narrator—You can use the text-to-speech utility Microsoft Narrator while using Word to read aloud menu commands, dialog box options and more—including announcing events on screen and reading typed characters.

More ways to adjust sound options, see:

• Choose sound options

Using Assistive Technology

If you use assistive technology, be sure to contact your assistive technology manufacturer to check compatibility with Word 2002 and other Office XP programs, and to learn how to adjust your settings to optimize compatibility. See the Search for Assistive Technology Products page (http://www.microsoft.com/enable/at/search.asp) on the Microsoft Accessibility Web site (http://www.microsoft.com/enable/).