HOW TO: Set Up and Manage Accessibility for the Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing in Windows 2000 Professional (323531)

SUMMARY

This article describes how to set up accessibility for users who are deaf or hard-of-hearing in a Windows 2000 environment. Deaf or hard-of-hearing users can configure Windows 2000 to use visual cues instead of sounds, or increase the volume level of program and system sounds.

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How to Turn On SoundSentry

SoundSentry displays a visual warning, such as a blinking program window, when your computer's built-in speaker makes a sound.

To turn on SoundSentry, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Accessibility Options.
2. Click the Sound tab, and then click to select the Use SoundSentry check box under SoundSentry.NOTE: To change settings for SoundSentry, click the Sound tab, and then click Settings under SoundSentry.

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How to Turn On ShowSounds

ShowSounds instructs programs to provide visual cues, such as informative icons or text, for events that are typically indicated only by a sound.

To turn on ShowSounds, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Accessibility Options.
2. Click the Sound tab, and then click to select the Use ShowSounds check box under ShowSounds.

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How to Create a Sound Scheme

Use sound schemes to assign custom sounds to events. Users who have difficulty hearing sounds within a certain frequency range can use sound schemes to adjust system and program sounds to make them easier to hear.

To create a sound scheme, follow these steps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Sounds and Multimedia.
2. Click the Sounds tab, and then assign a sound for each event that you want in a sound scheme under Sound Events.
3. Click Save As, and then type a name for the new sound scheme.
   
   The new scheme will appear in the Scheme list, so you can easily use these settings later.NOTE: To delete a sound scheme, select it in the Scheme list, and then click Delete.

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How to Assign Sounds to Program Events

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Sounds and Multimedia.
2. Click the Sounds tab, and then click the event that you want to assign a sound to under Sound Events.
3. In the Name list, click the sound that you want to play whenever the selected event occurs.
4. If the sound that you want to use is not listed, click Browse.NOTE: To test a sound, click its name, and then click Play. The sound stops when you click Stop. To save your sound settings, click Save As, and then name the sound scheme that you created. The name you enter will appear in the Scheme list, so you can easily use these settings later.

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How to Start the Accessibility Wizard

To start the Accessibility Wizard, click Start, point to Programs, point to Accessories, point to Accessibility, and then click Accessibility Wizard.

NOTE: The Accessibility tools that are included in Windows 2000 are intended to provide a minimum level of functionality for users with special needs. Most users with disabilities will need utility programs with a higher degree of functionality for daily use. For more information about higher-functionality resources, see the "References" section of this article.

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