4.4. Meeting Specific Accessibility Needs

The following sections summarize the steps you need to take to improve the accessibility of the desktop in a particular area.

4.4.1. To Achieve a High or Low Contrast Desktop

To achieve a high or low contrast desktop, perform the following steps:

  1. Use the Theme preference tool to select the high contrast or low contrast desktop theme that you require.

  2. Use the Theme preference tool to select a window frame theme. You should select the Atlanta window frame theme for use with high contrast desktop themes. The Atlanta window frame theme may also improve readability for some users. However, you can choose the window frame theme that best suits your needs.

  3. Use the Background preference tool to customize your desktop background as follows:

    • Set the Picture Options to No Picture.

    • Set the Background Style to Solid color.

    • Select a background color that suits your needs.

  4. In the Terminal application, ensure that the Use colors from system theme option is selected in the Edit Profile dialog.

  5. In the gedit application, ensure that the Use default theme colors option is selected in the Preferences dialog.

4.4.2. To Achieve a Large Print Desktop

To achieve a large print desktop, perform the following steps:

  1. Use the Theme preference tool to select the large print theme that you require.

  2. Use the Theme preference tool to select a window frame theme. You can use the Crux, Atlanta, or Bright window frame themes with large print desktop themes, depending on the contrast level that you prefer.

  3. Use the Font preference tool to increase the font that is displayed on desktop background objects.

  4. Increase the font size that is used to display the contents of the Terminal application window. See To Customize the Terminal Font for more information.

  5. If the Use default theme font option is selected in the geditPreferences dialog, gedit uses the font size that is specified in the large print theme that you selected. However, if the Use default theme font option is not selected, increase the font size that is used to display the contents of the gedit text editor window. See To Customize the gedit Text Editor Font for more information.

  6. If you use applications that use panes, such as Nautilus file manager and the Help browser, you may need to change the size of panes to accommodate the large print. See the online help for the appropriate application for more information.