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Accessibility Update

August 2007


The Microsoft Accessibility Update provides information about accessibility including accessibility options in Microsoft products. This newsletter is sent via e-mail to subscribers in the first week of the month and is also published on the Microsoft Accessibility Web site.


Windows Vista: Use the Computer Without a Display

Icon for using the computer without a displayIf you are a blind computer user you can take advantage of a number of built-in features and options in Windows Vista along with assistive technology products such as screen readers and Braille displays to use your computer completely without a display.

Learn about assistive technology

Find tutorials:


Assistive Technology Spotlight: Key to Freedom

Travelers or those who use different computers in different places can carry full accessibility in their pockets with the Key to Freedom by Serotek. This key-chain-sized, U3-smart memory module plugs into your computer USB port and automatically launches full screen reading capabilities. Mobile users can access their e-mail as well as their home or work systems. Simply upload files, work on them and print or save them back to the system. Remove the key and no trace of usage is left on the host computer. It truly is accessibility anywhere.

Find product documentation, demos, or a free trial.

Compatible with: Windows Vista and Microsoft Windows XP

Accessibility solution for:

  • Blind
  • Low Vision
  • Physically Disabled
  • Travelers and Mobile Users

Office 2007: Work with the Keyboard

Office 2007 training imageLearn how to find a complete list of keyboard shortcuts for each Microsoft Office program and to use them in menus, in toolbars, and in the document itself, in this complete online training course.

You'll learn how to:

  • Find, view, and print a list of keyboard shortcuts for each Office program.
  • Accomplish tasks by using keystrokes to navigate the menu bar.
  • Manipulate the toolbars using your keyboard.
  • Use keyboard shortcuts that achieve specific actions.
View this training course

Accessibility Information for Developers

HiSoftware Selected by Microsoft to Develop Accessibility Kit for Microsoft Office SharePoint Server
See the HiSoftware Press Release: Shared-source software kit will advance the accessibility of SharePoint-based solutions for people with disabilities

Working with Active Accessibility in the 2007 Office Fluent User Interface
Find out about the accessibility options available to 2007 Microsoft Office system developers to help in developing assistive technology applications.

New Windows Vista User Experience Guidelines for developers are now available on MSDN.

Accessibility Links
Windows Accessibility Tutorials
Find a complete list of tutorials that give step by step instructions for adjusting the accessibility settings and programs in Windows Vista and Windows XP to help make your computer easier to see, hear, and use.