New Accessible Features in Windows 11 

I think Windows 11 has made some great changes to accessibility. This is my observation that I wanted to share with the blind community. Don’t worry, nothing has been removed from the previous version. All the accessibility features from Windows 10 are still there, but they work even better in the new OS. Third-party tools still work too, but it’s a good idea to check with their vendors for compatibility.

Some changes in Windows 11 are subtle. For example, system sounds have been made gentler. When you start a Windows 11 computer, you’ll hear a chime when the login screen appears. The area in the settings app where you control accessibility features has been renamed. In Windows 10, it was called Ease of Access, but in Windows 11, it’s called Accessibility.

There are also more substantial improvements. The new high-contrast themes are easier on the eyes, and the zooming in Magnifier is smoother. Magnifier also has new zoom levels. Narrator has seen much progress, with more commands, better touch support, and better compatibility with web browsers.

The quickest way to adjust accessibility settings in Windows is to press Windows + U. The longer way is to open the Start menu, select Settings, and then select Ease of Access (on Windows 10) or Accessibility (on Windows 11).

You can adjust several settings to make your experience better. You can make on-screen text bigger, turn off visual effects like animations and transparency, and make the mouse pointer bigger or change its color. You can also add elements to the text cursor to make it easier to see. Magnifier allows for on-screen zooming, and you can adjust color filters for color blindness or set the display to greyscale. Contrast themes increase on-screen contrast by changing all display colors, with four preset options or the ability to create your own. Narrator, the built-in screen reader, has improved significantly, and you can use voice commands to control your computer or dictate text entry.