Windows 11 accessibility video showcases new contrast modes

Ben Bayliss2 minute read

Microsoft has touched on the accessibility features in its upcoming Windows 11 update.

In a new video from Microsoft, some of the changes to Windows 11 and accessibility have been detailed, with it being said the team is aware of there being things they can do better, and that they want to go beyond that.

The team highlights that Ease of Access, as it is called currently, is being renamed in Windows 11 to Accessibility. The change will also include a new icon, so instead of it being a…clock, circle, arrow thing, it’s now a vector of a person. The video goes into how the team consulted with disabled people to ensure that the new operating system is designed for the users, even using the quote, “Nothing about us, without us”.

Watch Windows 11 Accessibility features on YouTube

Contrast themes are the key feature presented in the video, showing new high contrast themes in action with different intensities from a light mode, a dark mode. and a high contrast mode. To name them specifically, there are the following: Default (None), Aquatic, Desert, Dusk, and Night Sky.

A new start-up screen is also touched on with a new sound that allows blind or visually impaired users to know the device is awake and ready to use. The new sounds throughout Windows 11 “follow the visual personality” of the themes as well, so the user can apparently hear light mode or dark mode sounds.

This video comes after Microsoft’s accessibility blog from earlier this month where it was detailed that the new OS would feature familiar features such as Narrator, Magnifier, Closed Captions, and Speech Recognition. While the blog post already highlights everything mentioned in the video, it’s still good to see them in action, and how the team has worked to ensure the new OS will be accessible.

Windows 11 and its improved accessibility area should be available later in 2021 and will be a free upgrade for compatible Windows 10 devices. We’ll be sure to look into the update some more when it does launch.

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Ben
BaylissEditor-in-ChiefHe/Him

Ben is the one in charge of keeping the content cogs at Can I Play That? turning. Deafness means that he has a focus on discussing captions, but with experience in consultancy and advocacy, he covers what bases he can. Having written about accessibility in video games at DualShockers, GamesRadar+, GamesIndustry.biz, Wireframe, and more he continues his advocacy at CIPT. He was actually awarded a Good Games Writing award for an article he wrote here! He enjoys a range of games, but anything that’s open-world and with a photo mode will probably be his cup of tea. You can get in touch with him at: ben@caniplaythat.com

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