Heard about the International Day for Older People? - Asks Peter Clarke of PC PAL
The Andover and District Older People’s Forum are holding a day at the Andover Leisure Centre on 1st October focussing on living with arthritis. I hope you can join us to learn how you can set up your computer to help with various conditions but, in case you are busy on the day, here are some things to consider:
- Use the Microsoft ‘Windows Accessibility Centre’ in Windows XP, enter ‘Start’, ‘Control Panel’, ‘Accessibility Options’. This is called ‘Ease of Access Centre’ in Windows 7. If you enter ‘Start’, ‘Control Panel’, ‘Ease of Access Centre’ you can:
- Optimise your computer for the visual display
- Make the mouse easier to use
- Make the keyboard easier to use
- Turn on ‘narrator’ which will talk to you
- You can buy hardware which helps:
- Try a trackball rather than a mouse
- Try a keyboard with large keys
- Foot pedals can be used instead of a mouse
- A touch screen negates the need for a mouse – Windows 8 is designed for this format
Don’t despair and think you can’t use a computer! The options available mean anyone can get the best from a computer and open up a whole new world in the world wide web.
If you are interested in hearing more about these options but can’t make it on 1st October please feel free to give me a call and we can work through what options are best for you.
