# Assistive Tools in $[officename]

/text/shared/guide/assistive.xhp
accessibility; $[officename] assistive technology
assistive technology in $[officename]
screen readers
screen magnifiers
magnifiers
Assistive Tools in $[officename]
$[officename] supports some assistive technology tools like screen magnification software, screen readers, and on-screen keyboards. Most of these tools communicate with $[officename] by means of the Java(TM) Access Bridge software, that uses the Java Accessibility API, a part of the Java runtime environment.
A current list of supported assistive tools can be found on the OpenOffice.org Wiki at http://wiki.services.openoffice.org/wiki/Accessibility.
Requirements to use assistive tools in $[officename]
- Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version 1.4.1_01 and higher, or version 1.4.0_02 with the locale set to "en_us".
- Most recent version of the software for your assistive tool
- On Windows systems, Java Access Bridge software version 1.0.3 or higher
- On UNIX(R) systems, the GNOME 2 desktop environment with the Java Access Bridge software for GNOME
Supported Assistive Tools
On Windows systems, $[officename] directly supports most on-screen keyboard software. Additional support for assistive tools is provided by the Java Access Bridge software. The following is a list of some assistive tools that use the Java Access Bridge software to exchange data with $[officename]:
- ZoomText Screen Magnifier (version 7.11 or higher)(Windows)
- Gnopernicus Screen Reader and Magnifier, using GNOME Assistive Technology Service Provider Interface (at-spi) and Java Accessibility API software
- GNOME On Screen Keyboard (GOK), using GNOME at-spi and Java Accessibility API software
Supported Input Devices
$[officename] provides the ability to use alternative input devices for access to all functions of $[officename].
- Screen magnification software allow users with low vision to work in $[officename] with caret and focus tracking.
- On-screen keyboards enable users to perform almost all data input and commands with a mouse.
- Screen readers allow visually impaired users to access $[officename] with text-to-speech and Braille displays.
When accessibility support in $[officename] is enabled, the Java Runtime Environment is loaded, and increases the startup time for $[officename].
%PRODUCTNAME - Preferences
Tools - Options
- $[officename] - View
%PRODUCTNAME - Preferences
Tools - Options
- $[officename] - Appearance
%PRODUCTNAME - Preferences
Tools - Options
- $[officename] - Accessibility