Accessibility on the desktop

The desktop has a number of features for improved accessibility. To use them, you must first turn them on. The zoom function is an exception: it's on by default, but can be turned off.

To turn an accessibility function on or off, go to System Settings and find the page for it in the Accessibility module or the Desktop Effects module.

#Turning on accessibility

#Starting the Orca screen reader

When Orca is properly installed, there are two ways to start it.

Shortcut

After logging in, press Meta+Alt+S to turn the screen reader on or off.

Autostart

To start Orca after logging in:

1. Open System Settings.
2. Go to the Accessibility module.
3. Go to the Screen Reader page.
4. Check Enable Screen Reader.
5. Log out and start your desktop session again.

#Turning on visual aids

Desktop effects include several accessibility features, including full-screen zoom, color inversion and help with finding the mouse pointer.

You'll find the settings for these in the Desktop Effects module.

Full-screen magnification

Meta++ and Meta+- zoom in and out.

The scale factor and mouse pointer tracking can be adjusted in the effect's settings. For a fixed-size zoom window, use the Magnifier effect rather than the Zoom effect.

Inverting colors

• Meta+Ctrl+I inverts colors for the entire screen.
• Meta+Ctrl+U inverts colors for the current window.

#Keyboard navigation

#Opening the application launcher

• Alt+F1 or Meta opens the application launcher.
• Alt+Space opens KRunner. You can just type to search for applications, documents and more. Move through the list with the up and down arrow keys, and activate an entry with Return.

#Reaching the panels

Meta+Alt+P moves between the panels. Navigate the panel with the arrow keys, and activate an entry with Space or Return.

#Window management

• Alt+Tab switches between windows.
• Alt+F4 closes the current window.

#Virtual desktops

• Ctrl+Fnumber switches to a virtual desktop. For example, Ctrl+F2 goes to the second virtual desktop.
• Meta+D shows the desktop.

#Lock screen

The lock screen is accessible.

• Ctrl+Alt+L or Meta+L locks the screen.
• Use Tab to move around the lock screen when it's active. There is one text field for the password. Type your password and press Enter to unlock.
• There are additional buttons for shutting down and restarting.
• The username can be navigated with the left and right arrow keys to switch between users and start new sessions.