Both Windows and Macintosh operating systems allow users who may have difficulties physically operating their personal device to navigate and operate their device through minimal motion, other forms of motion, and through voice commands. Explore the features available to you, and the steps to enable and, or, access them, based on the operating system your personal device runs by expanding one of the options below.

Windows Mobility Assistive Tools

Voice Typing / Dictation

Dictation is the voice typing software that comes pre-packaged into Windows 10 personal computers. It allows users to convert spoken words into text anywhere on a user’s personal computer. Dictation requires users to be connected to the internet to be run.

Windows 10 (Dictation) Instructions

To quickly run Dictation, users can select any text field and then the Windows Logo Key (also known as the Start Key) + H. To stop dictating at any point, users can select the microphone button in the Dictation menu, or utilize the “Stop Dictating” voice command.

Dictation Related Resources

  1. Dictation Commands
  2. Dictating Letters, Numbers, Punctuation, and Special Characters

Voice Typing is the voice typing software that comes pre-packaged into Windows 11 personal computers. Users must be connected to the internet for Voice Typing to function. To quickly run Voice Typing users can select any text field and then the Windows Logo Key (also known as the Start Key) + H. To stop running Voice Typing, users can use the “Stop Listening” voice command of Voice Typing or select the microphone button on the Voice Typing menu.

Windows 11 (Voice Typing) Instructions

To quickly run Voice Typing users can select any text field and then the Windows Logo Key (also known as the Start Key)+ H. To stop running Voice Typing, users can use the “Stop Listening” voice command of Voice Typing or select the microphone button on the Voice Typing menu.

Voice Typing Related Resources

  1. Voice Typing Commands
  2. Voice Typing Punctuation and Special Characters

Speech Recognition

Windows Speech Recognition is the default voice command and text-to-speech tool that comes preinstalled on Windows personal computers. Both Dictation, on Windows 10 devices, and Voice Typing, on Windows 11 devices, utilize Speech Recognition to run; however, unlike these two, Speech Recognition allows for general navigation and task completion through voice commands.

Windows 10 & 11 Instructions

To turn on Speech Recognition in Windows 10 users can select the Start button, then select Settings > Ease of Access > Speech, and then under Turn on Speech Recognition toggle on the option. Windows 11 users can select the Start button, then select Settings > Accessibility > Speech, and then toggle on Windows Speech Recognition.

Speech Recognition Related Resources

  1. Common Speech Recognition Commands
  2. Dictation Commands
  3. Keyboard Commands
  4. Windows & App Commands
  5. Mouse Commands
  6. Punctuation & Special Character Commands

Macintosh Mobility Assistive Tools

Voice Control

Macintosh Voice Control allows users to dictate text, speak commands to edit text, navigate their desktop and applications, and control their device, performing tasks such as scrolling in a document or pressing a button.

macOS (High Sierra – Monterey) Instructions

Users of Apple’s Macintosh High Sierra through Macintosh Monterey operating systems can enable Voice Control by entering the Apple Menu, and then selecting System Preferences > Accessibility > Voice Control, and then selecting the option to Enable Voice Control.

Head Pointer

Macintosh Head Pointer lets users move the pointer on their screen using the movement of their face or head, as detected by the camera that’s built into or connected to their Macintosh device. The feature allows users to utilize their own body as their mouse.

macOS (High Sierra – Monterey) Instructions

Users of Apple’s Macintosh High Sierra through Macintosh Monterey operating systems can enable Head Pointer by going to the Apple Menu, and then selecting System Preferences > Accessibility > Pointer Control > Alternative Control Method, and once in that system window users can select the option to Enable Head Pointer. 

Full Keyboard Access

Macintosh Full Keyboard Access allows users to use keyboard keys to navigate every UI element on their personal device’s screen and navigate their Macintosh device, instead of using a mouse or trackpad. Full Keyboard Access highlights the item on the screen that has focus. Users can customize the color, contrast, and size of the highlight.

macOS (High Sierra – Monterey) Instructions

Users of Apple’s Macintosh High Sierra through Macintosh Monterey operating systems can enable Full Keyboard Access going into the Apple Menu, selecting System Preferences > Accessibility > Keyboard, and then from there selecting the option to Enable Full Keyboard Access.

Accessibility Keyboard

Macintosh Accessibility Keyboard is a feature that enables an onscreen keyboard that lets users type and interact with their personal computer without using a physical keyboard

macOS (High Sierra – Monterey) Instructions

Users of Apple’s Macintosh High Sierra through Macintosh Monterey operating systems can enable the Accessibility Keyboard by entering into the Apple Menu, selecting System Preferences > Accessibility > Keyboard, and then from there entering the Viewer tab of the window, and from there selecting the option to Enable Accessibility Keyboard.

Dictation

Macintosh keyboard Dictation allows users to dictate text (words, numbers, and characters) anywhere they would otherwise type. 

macOS (High Sierra – Monterey) Instructions

Users of Apple’s Macintosh High Sierra through Macintosh Monterey operating systems can enable Dictation by entering the Apple Menu, and then selecting System Preferences > Keyboard > Dictation, from there users can toggle the Dictation option to on.