Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Trying To Find An Extremely, EXTREMELY Large Cursor for 90% Blind Grandma (self.Blind)
submitted by Jimboa30
My Grandma just got a "new" (refurbished) computer, and her biggest complaint so far is that her cursor is too small, even at the maximum size that Windows allows. I have no idea how it was set up on her old computer or who did it for her, but she had a MASSIVE cursor on her old rig and we can't figure out how to recreate it.
I've Googled it, but all I could find are some sketchy-looking older sites that offer software downloads that look an awful lot like bait for malware. If anyone knows of any legit places to get software to customize Windows settings for the visually impaired, I would very much appreciate it.
I've Googled it, but all I could find are some sketchy-looking older sites that offer software downloads that look an awful lot like bait for malware. If anyone knows of any legit places to get software to customize Windows settings for the visually impaired, I would very much appreciate it.
KillerLag 8 points 2y ago
https://support.microsoft.com/en-ca/help/27936/windows-10-make-input-devices-easier-to-use
Make your mouse pointer easier to see by making it bigger or changing the color.
Select Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Mouse pointer .
Adjust the slider under Change pointer size until your mouse pointer is the size you'd like.
Change the color of your mouse pointer to white, black, inverted, or any of the bright suggested colors. To choose any color from a color wheel, select Pick a customer pointer color.
Did you try that? You may also want to look into adjusting the colour of the mouse. White on a white background can be hard to see, try something like teal or red (or whatever colour your mother grandmother sees best).
Another option is ZoomText, but that can get expensive. Check to see if that is covered by health care provider or something else (in Canada, our provincial health care can help cover the cost of adaptive aids sometimes).
Make your mouse pointer easier to see by making it bigger or changing the color.
Select Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Mouse pointer .
Adjust the slider under Change pointer size until your mouse pointer is the size you'd like.
Change the color of your mouse pointer to white, black, inverted, or any of the bright suggested colors. To choose any color from a color wheel, select Pick a customer pointer color.
Did you try that? You may also want to look into adjusting the colour of the mouse. White on a white background can be hard to see, try something like teal or red (or whatever colour your mother grandmother sees best).
Another option is ZoomText, but that can get expensive. Check to see if that is covered by health care provider or something else (in Canada, our provincial health care can help cover the cost of adaptive aids sometimes).
Jimboa30 [OP] 4 points 2y ago
I didn't try it personally (my mom did), but she did specifically said that she tried using the built-in Windows settings to enlarge the cursor, and even at the maximum size it wasn't big enough or as big as her old setup.
NonstopBus 3 points 2y ago
If you have her set up using google chrome browser you can get one of the cursor extensions from the App Store. It will let her grab any curser from the extension to use. It will only work in the browser window which is the only downside if she uses more than just the internet.
Jimboa30 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Yeah, thanks for the info but that won't work. She needs it for full use of her computer, not just her browser. Thank you for that information though. Maybe I can use that as a backup if I can't find anything else.
CVRTCOMSCATIS 1 points 2y ago
This $1 lists multiple resources. I didn’t check them just now. If they don’t work I can email you some.
einat162 1 points 2y ago
You mentioned in the comments it runs windows 7 - which is already out of date, and risky to go online with. Also, windows and mac OS are less customizible.
**customization = Linux**
It's seriously worth considering, especially if the hardware is from the last 5 years or so (Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Peppermint - all user friendly to windows newcomers). It is free OS and it's safer to go online with (not out of date, Linux doesn't require antivirus). Here is a good tutorial on how do make a bootable flash drive with Linux:
$1
**customization = Linux**
It's seriously worth considering, especially if the hardware is from the last 5 years or so (Lubuntu, Xubuntu, Peppermint - all user friendly to windows newcomers). It is free OS and it's safer to go online with (not out of date, Linux doesn't require antivirus). Here is a good tutorial on how do make a bootable flash drive with Linux:
$1
Jimboa30 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
My Grandma DOES NOT like change. She is the stereotypical old person who is terrible at learning anything new, especially in regards to computers. Just upgrading from Windows 7 to 10 is enough of a change that will probably have her complaining for months, if not years. So no, switching operating systems to something new, like Linux, is absolutely out of the question. Not going to happen. She can barely figure out her computer, that she's had for years, as is.
einat162 1 points 2y ago
Hey, I hate windows 10 too (work place computer).
Have you considered buying a lager screen? (maybe a cheap tv **screen** 32 inch or bigger)
Have you considered buying a lager screen? (maybe a cheap tv **screen** 32 inch or bigger)
Jimboa30 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
That's a possibility.
AdaptiVision 1 points 2y ago
Check out this article from Perkins School for the Blind. It goes through a number of options for both free and paid large mouse pointers. $1
MizzerC 1 points 2y ago
Setting Windows Magnifier to lens mode and then having it scaled to whatever size best works for her would both cause it easier to find the mouse as it would be a moving lens on the screen, and it would enlarge anything she is looking at.
sadfactory 1 points 2y ago
Would screen magnification combined with the larger cursor help? There are modes that follow the cursor and display the area of the screen around the cursor. More info: https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk/windows-10-magnifying-screen#Keyboard%20shortcuts%20for%20the%20Magnifier
Edit: just saw that you said she has Windows 7, this info is for Windows 10 but maybe 7 has a similar feature...
Edit: just saw that you said she has Windows 7, this info is for Windows 10 but maybe 7 has a similar feature...
SecTrono 1 points 2y ago
do you know what the operating system is?
Jimboa30 [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Yup! It's Windows 7.
SecTrono 5 points 2y ago
hmmm. yeah, it looks like you aren't going to be able to make the cursor large enough without some sort of custom software. i can tell you for sure that if you are all out of options windows 10 allows you to make your cursor HUGE. if your grandmother can't see the max sized cursor on windows 10 she may not have eyes.
Jimboa30 [OP] 5 points 2y ago
Thanks for the info. We may just end up up upgrading her then.
house_special 3 points 2y ago
I upgraded a friends computer fairly recently from 7 to 10. Technically they have stopped offering the upgrade for free, but that's just the official word. The current version of windows 7 has to be a legit copy.
$1
EDIT: This is not a 'hack' type thing, I think Microsoft just want as many people to be using windows 10 as possible.
$1
EDIT: This is not a 'hack' type thing, I think Microsoft just want as many people to be using windows 10 as possible.
codeofdusk 4 points 2y ago
Please $1. If you still need to use Windows 7 (for older programs or something), keep the Windows 7 computer disconnected from the Internet and move files manually to reduce the risk of a security breach.
retrogod_thefirst 2 points 2y ago
This is so very important!!!
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