Accessibility Application Development

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Windows Embedded CE 6.0 R3

4/8/2010

Windows Embedded CE provides a set of accessibility options that allow persons with disabilities to use computers more easily.

The following table shows the accessibility options that Windows Embedded CE provides and the structures that applications use with the SystemParametersInfo function to query or set the parameters for the option.

Option Structure Description

Accessibility time-out

ACCESSTIMEOUT

Enables a user to specify a time-out interval after which accessibility options turn off automatically. For more information see Setting Accessibility Time-out Periods.

High-contrast mode

HIGHCONTRAST

Provides high contrast between foreground and background visuals. For more information see Enabling High Contrast.

Mouse keys

MOUSEKEYS

Enables the user to control the mouse pointer by using the numeric keypad. For more information see Enabling Mouse Keys.

Show sounds

None

Indicates whether the user wants applications to present all important information in visual form, rather than presenting some important information only in audible form. For more information see Enabling Show Sounds.

Sound sentry

SOUNDSENTRY

Displays a visual signal when a sound is generated by a Windows Embedded CE–based application. For more information see Enabling Sound Sentry.

Sticky keys

STICKYKEYS

Enables the user to type key combinations, such as CTRL+ALT+DEL, in sequence rather than simultaneously. For more information see Enabling Sticky Keys.

Toggle keys

TOGGLEKEYS

Provides sound feedback when the user turns on or off the CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK key. For more information see Enabling Toggle Keys.

The SystemParametersInfo function provides the programming interface to the accessibility options. You can use this function in Control Panel applications or other programs that allow the user to customize the environment. The SystemParametersInfo function allows you to perform the following tasks:

  • Query the system to determine the availability and current state of a specified accessibility option.
  • Enable an accessibility option and specify parameters that control the behavior of the option.
  • Disable an accessibility option.
  • Enable a hot key that allows the user to enable or disable an accessibility option.

In This Section

  • Setting Accessibility Time-out Periods
    Provides information about the accessibility time–out period that is the length of time that must pass without keyboard or mouse input before the operating system (OS) automatically turns off accessibility functionality. The time-out affects the following accessibility functionality: mouse keys, sticky keys, toggle keys, and high contrast.
  • Accessibility Hot Keys
    Describes the predefined key combinations that will toggle specific accessibility functions.
  • Enabling High Contrast
    Describes the setting that specifies whether an application should use a high contrast between the colors used for foreground and background visuals.
  • Enabling Mouse Keys
    Describes the setting that specifies that the user can use the numeric keypad to control the movement mouse pointer, to click and double–click the mouse buttons, and to drag and drop items.
  • Enabling Show Sounds
    Describes the setting that specifies that the user wants applications to present all important information in visual form, rather than presenting some important information only in audible form.
  • Enabling Sound Sentry
    Describes the setting that specifies that the OS must display a visual signal when a sound is generated by a Windows Embedded CE–based application.
  • Enabling Sticky Keys
    Describes the setting that specifies that the user wants to type key combinations, such as CTRL+ALT+DEL, in sequence rather than simultaneously.
  • Enabling Toggle Keys
    Describes the setting that specifies that the user wants the device to provide sound feedback when the user turns on or off the CAPS LOCK, NUM LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK key.
  • Accessibility
    Provides information on making your software usable and accessible to a wide range of users, including those with disabilities. The Accessibility functionality in Windows Embedded CE includes options that allow persons with disabilities to use computers more easily.