Information for IT Professionals

Annoucement (July 2019)

The assistive technologies Jaws 2019 and ZoomText 2019 for students with visual impairments and blindness have a new license server hosted by the WebStore. Student computing labs with JAWS and Zoomtext need to update the Windows configuration to use the new license server.

Microsoft Windows

The following assistive technology software should be available on Microsoft Windows computers available to students in instructional and library computing labs. Keyboard shortcuts keys should be available in the start menu for students easily start the applications.

Software:

  • JAWS Screen Reader
  • Kurzweil 3000 (Web License Version)
  • ZoomText Maginifier
  • Open Book (Library Computers to scan print materials)
  • Sticky Keys
  • Mouse Keys

Microsoft 365 products now have some accessibility features that are very useful. The University of Illinois System has documented some tips for creating accessible Word documents as well as accessible Powerpoint presentations.

Software Installation Information

JAWS Screen Reader

  • Install JAWS using the downloaded file.
  • Set system environment variable: LSHOST set to “jaws.webstore.illinois.edu”
    • Contact your system administrator on how to best set the system environment variable.
    • NOTE: Mistakenly setting the user variable will only allow the current user to access JAWS.
    • NOTE: If LSFORCEHOST is set in either the system or the user environment variables from a previous configuration, you must remove it.
  • For library and instructional computers labs, you will want to change the preferences for JAWS to not start automatically or at the login screen.
  • Assign the Windows 10 keyboard shortcut “Control+Alt+J” to start JAWS.

ZoomText Screen Magnifier

  • Install ZoomText from the downloaded file.
  • Set the system environment variable: LSHOST set to “jaws.webstore.illinois.edu”
    • No need to set again if you have alrerady done this for JAWS (see above)
    • Contact your system administrator on how to best set the system environment variable.
    • NOTE: Mistakenly setting the user variable will only allow the current user to access ZoomText.
    • NOTE: If LSFORCEHOST is set in either the system or the user environment variables from a previous configuration, you must remove it.
  • Start ZoomText, and check in the About dialog box to verify it is using the license server.
  • For library and instrucational computer labs, you will want to change the preferences for ZoomText to not start automatically.
  • Assign the Windows 10 keyboard shortcut “Control+Alt+Z” to start ZoomText.

Kurzweil 3000 and “Read The Web” Chrome Extension

Login with your Microsoft credentials (NetID@illinois.edu plus password).

OpenBook

  • Install OpenBook form the downloaded installation file.
  • Set environment variable: LSHOST set to: jaws.webstore.illinois.edu (see instructions for JAWS configuration)
  • Start OpenBook and check to make sure it is using the license server.

Enabling Ease of Access

Check your set up to make sure that Ease of Access options are enabled for use. Create a shortcut in your accessibility group folder to the location to turn these features on and off.

  1. Start button
  2. Control Panel
  3. Select Ease of Access
  4. Select Ease of Access Center
  5. Select Make the keyboard easier to use
  6. Check Sticky Keys and/or Mouse Keys

macOS Built-in Assistive Technologies

The following software should be available on OS X computers for students. These should be able to be accessed from shortcuts keys in the start menu so students do not need to search around to locate items.

Software:

  • VoiceOver
  • Zoom
  • Sticky Keys
  • Mouse Keys
  • Keyboard Shortcuts

Enabling Universal Access

  1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
  2. Click Universal Access to displays its preferences.
  3. ENABLING VOICE OVER
    1. Click the Seeing tab, then select the On radio button below VoiceOver to enable it.
    2. Click the Open VoiceOver Utility button to customize VoiceOver
  4. ENABLING ZOOM
    1. Click the Seeing tab, then select the On radio button below Zoom to enable it.
  5. ENABLING STICKY KEYS and MOUSE KEYS
    1. For Sticky Keys, select Keyboard and select the “Press the Shift key five times to turn Sticky Keys on or off” checkbox.
    2. For Mouse Keys, select Mouse (Mouse & Trackpad on some computers) and select the “Press the Option key five times to turn Mouse Keys on or off” checkbox.

Enabling Keyboard shortcuts

  1. From the Apple menu, choose System Preferences.
  2. Click Keyboard to displays its preferences.
  3. Click Keyboard Shortcuts.
  4. Select the action in the Description list that you want to change.
  5. Double-click the characters in the Shortcut column, and press the new key combination that you want to use.
  6. You cannot use each type of key (for example, a letter key) more than once in a key combination.
  7. Quit and restart any applications you’re using for the new keyboard shortcut to take effect.