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\r\nWhile they are not specifically assistive technology, browsers have settings and tools that can make navigating the internet easier. The following guides refer to desktop (Windows and macOS) use, but some similar features are available in the mobile versions of each.\r\n- \r\n \t
- Chrome<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- Edge<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- Firefox<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t
- Safari<\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
<\/a>Chrome<\/h2>\r\n
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Chrome is the most commonly used browser and has the greatest compatibility with assistive technology.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTo find settings and tools, select Customize and control Google chrome<\/strong> (3 vertical dots near top right) or press ALT<\/strong> f<\/strong>.\r\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/atuserguides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2237\/2024\/06\/Screenshot-2023-12-01-at-11.03.51-300x247.png\")
\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nPage Zoom<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\n\r\nZoom in: Control<\/strong> (Command<\/strong> on macOS) and =<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nZoom out: Control<\/strong> and\u00a0-<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nReset to actual size: Control<\/strong>\u00a0and 0<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nThe zoom settings can also be accessed by the View<\/strong> menu on the toolbar (macOS) or under More<\/strong> on Windows.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nChrome will remember your zoom level on a specific webpage. Simply zoom to your desired zoom level and when signed in on your device the page will load to that zoom level. To reset default zoom to 100% follow these steps:\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n- \r\n \t
- Select More<\/strong> > Settings<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Click Privacy and security<\/strong> > Site Settings<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Click Additional content settings<\/strong> > Zoom levels<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Click X (Remove zoom level)<\/strong> to reset default zoom to 100%<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\nDefault Fonts<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n- \r\n \t
- Select More<\/strong> > Settings<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Select Appearance<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Font Size<\/strong> allows users to set font size<\/li>\r\n \t
- Additional options are available under Customize fonts<\/strong>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Minimum font size<\/li>\r\n \t
- Default font styles<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAdditional information on customizing Chrome.<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
Live Caption<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nChrome includes an automatic captioning tool for videos. The captions are not a substitute for proper captioning of videos but may be a useful tool for users when encountering an uncaptioned video. To enable:\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n- \r\n \t
- Select More<\/strong> > Settings<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Select Advanced<\/strong> > Accessibility<\/strong> > Captions<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Turn on Live Captions<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nChrome live captions uses the operating system\u2019s default captioning.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nWindows caption settings.<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nMacOS subtitles and captions settings.<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nGet Image Descriptions<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhen running a screen reader, Chrome may be able to provide image descriptions for images lacking alt text. Follow the instructions to enable this setting.<\/a> The descriptions are machine generated and may not be accurate.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nHighlight Focused Elements<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nWhen navigating with a keyboard, Chrome can show a highlight of links, menus, and buttons when focused and selectable. To enable:\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n- \r\n \t
- Navigate to Settings<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Select Advanced<\/strong> > Accessibility<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Turn on Show a quick highlight on the focused object<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\nCaret Browsing<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nPress F7<\/strong> to activate caret browsing, allowing the keyboard to move around and select text.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nComplete list of Google Chrome keyboard shortcuts<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nUI Options Plus<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nUI Options Plus<\/a> is a Chrome extension that provides many visual customizations in one interface. Use the scrollbar or left and right arrows to move between tools. The following options are available:\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n- \r\n \t
- Zoom \u2013 uses Chrome browser zoom up to 500%.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Letter spacing \u2013 up to 2x website default.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Word spacing \u2013 up to 4x website default.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Line spacing \u2013 up to 3x website default.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Syllables \u2013 Divides words by placing a dot between syllables.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Contrast \u2013 Offers multiple combinations of background and text colours.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Right-click to select \u2013 Allows users to select text block by right-clicking on any part of it.\r\n
- \r\n \t
- This may help users employ text-to-speech software on a specific bit of text and\/or assist with copying.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
- Selection highlight \u2013 Allows users to change the default colour when highlighting text.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Text-to-speech \u2013 Toggle this tool to use text-to-speech on highlighted text. Click the Play button to hear text.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Reading mode \u2013 Toggle reading mode to simplify the page and remove distractions like ads or sidebars (note: this could break the layout of some pages).<\/li>\r\n \t
- Table of contents \u2013 This tool generates a table of contents for the page using the page\u2019s heading structure.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Enhance inputs \u2013 This toggle makes link and button text larger, bold, and underlined.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nCustomizations can be changed by clicking left or right arrows, entering a numerical value in the textbox, or toggling setting on or off.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nTo reset all customizations to default, right-click the extension icon and choose Reset<\/strong>.\r\n
Links<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n\r\nOverview of accessibility features in Chrome<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nGoogle Accessibility Statement<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nComplete list of Google Chrome keyboard shortcuts<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nAdditional keyboard shortcut information<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nChrome low-vision support guide<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nChrome guide to accessibility extensions<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nChrome web store collection of accessibility extensions<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nList of useful education accessibility extensions<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/a>Edge<\/h2>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/atuserguides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2237\/2024\/06\/Microsoft_Edge_logo_2019-150x150.png\")
Edge is the default browser of Windows 10\/11. Edge is built on the same software engine as Google Chrome and so many features and settings are the same and Chrome extensions will run in Edge.\r\n\r\nTo find settings and tools, select <\/span>Settings and more<\/strong> on the toolbar or press <\/span>ALT<\/strong> and <\/span>f<\/strong>.<\/span>\r\n\r\n\r\nPage Zoom<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nTo zoom in: Press Control<\/strong> (Command<\/strong> on macOS) and =\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nTo zoom out: Press Control<\/strong> and -\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nTo reset to actual size: Press Co<\/strong>ntrol<\/strong> and 0\u00a0<\/strong>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nAdditionally, open Settings and more<\/strong> button and click the + or \u2013 on the Zoom<\/strong> line of the menu.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nDefault Fonts<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n- \r\n \t
- Navigate to Settings<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Select Appearance<\/strong> from the sidebar<\/li>\r\n \t
- Navigate to Zoom<\/strong>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Select Page zoom<\/strong> dropdown to set default zoom percentage<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n \t
- Navigate to Fonts<\/strong>\r\n
- \r\n \t
- Select Font size<\/strong> dropdown to change default font size.<\/li>\r\n \t
- Select Customize fonts<\/strong> for additional options.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nRead Aloud<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n\r\nMicrosoft Edge has a built-in reader mode. Read Aloud<\/strong> allows you to have text read aloud. Immersive reader is a distraction free reading mode that also reads text aloud. <\/span>To start <\/span>Read Aloud<\/strong>, select text or right click where you would like to begin reading and select <\/span>Read aloud<\/strong>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe read aloud toolbar will appear at the top of the screen, allowing users to pause, skip ahead or back, and change voice and speed options.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRead aloud can also be opened by pressing <\/span>Control<\/strong> and <\/span>Shift<\/strong> and\u00a0<\/span>u.<\/strong>\r\n\r\nRead <\/span>more about Edge Read aloud<\/a>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nImmersive Reader<\/strong> may not be available on all webpages, but when it is an icon of an open book with a speaker on it will appear in the address bar. To open immersive reader, you can click on the icon or press <\/span>F9<\/strong>.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn immersive reader a toolbar appears at the top of the page that contains options to change text size and spacing, font style, and page colour themes. Additionally, there are grammar, focus, and pronunciation options.<\/span>\r\n\r\nRead <\/span>more about Edge Immersive Reader<\/a>.<\/span>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nKeyboard Navigation<\/h3>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\n- \r\n \t
- Open Settings<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Navigate to Accessibility<\/strong> in the sidebar<\/li>\r\n \t
- Navigate to Keyboard<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Toggle Navigate pages with a text cursor<\/strong> on.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\nUse F7<\/strong> to activate caret browsing. Caret browsing allows the keyboard to move a cursor within text on the web and select text to be highlighted or copied.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n
\r\nLinks<\/h3>\r\n
\r\n\r\nMicrosoft Support page on accessibility features in Microsoft Edge<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nList of keyboard shortcuts for Microsoft Edge.<\/a>\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/a>Firefox<\/h2>\r\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/pressbooks.bccampus.ca\/atuserguides\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2237\/2024\/06\/Firefox_logo_2019.svg_-150x150.png\")
Firefox is a web browser that is not based on the Chromium engine, as such does not support the same extensions, settings, and keyboard shortcuts. However, Firefox is still a popular browser and has many excellent features (including built-in text to speech) and is highly customizable.\r\nPage Zoom<\/h3>\r\nTo zoom in: Control (Command <\/strong>on macOS) and =<\/strong>\r\n\r\nTo zoom out: Control <\/strong>and -<\/strong>\r\n\r\nTo reset to actual size: Control <\/strong>and 0 <\/strong>or click the x% icon in the address bar\r\n\r\nOr, hold Control (Command<\/strong> on macOS)\u00a0<\/strong>and scroll up (with mouse wheel or two fingers on trackpad) to zoom in and scroll down to zoom out.\r\n\r\nFirefox allows users to zoom text only (Navigate to View<\/strong> menu > Zoom <\/strong>> Zoom Text Only<\/strong>). Use the same keyboard shortcuts as above. Keep in mind, this may break the layout and functionality of a webpage.\r\n\r\nMore information about zooming in Firefox.<\/a>\r\n\r\nVia Settings <\/strong>> General <\/strong>under Language and Appearance changed the Default Zoom<\/strong> for all pages using the dropdown menu. Read the Firefox Font size and zoom guide<\/a> for more information.\r\n
Default Fonts<\/h3>\r\nTo set minimum font size:\r\n
- Navigate to Accessibility<\/strong> in the sidebar<\/li>\r\n \t
- Select Customize fonts<\/strong> for additional options.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n
- Navigate to Fonts<\/strong>\r\n
- Select Appearance<\/strong> from the sidebar<\/li>\r\n \t
- Navigate to Settings<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Select Advanced<\/strong> > Accessibility<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Select Advanced<\/strong> > Accessibility<\/strong> > Captions<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Select More<\/strong> > Settings<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Select Appearance<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Click Privacy and security<\/strong> > Site Settings<\/strong><\/li>\r\n \t
- Edge<\/a><\/li>\r\n \t