:: Using Sticky Keys for Computer Accessibility - Windows and Mac

Do you have problems holding down two or more keys on your PC?

Microsoft introduced StickyKeys to the Windows platform in Windows 95. Sticky Keys were designed for people who have difficulty holding down two or more keys simultaneously. When a shortcut requires a key combination, such as CTRL+P, Sticky Keys will enable you to press a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key and have it remain active until another key is pressed.

To change Windows Sticky Keys Options

• Open Accessibility Options.
• On the Keyboard tab, under Sticky Keys, click Settings. Do one of the following:
• To use the shortcut that allows you to turn Sticky Keys on or off by by pressing the SHIFT key five times, select the Use shortcut check box.
• To specify that when a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key is pressed twice in succession, the key will remain active until the key is pressed again, under Options, select the Press modifier key twice to lock check box.
• To turn off Sticky Keys when a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key and another key are pressed simultaneously, under Options, select the Turn Sticky Keys off if two keys are pressed at once check box.
• To play a tone to indicate when a modifier key (CTRL, ALT, or SHIFT), or the Windows logo key is pressed, locked, or released, under Notification, select the Make sounds when modifier key is pressed check box.
• To display an icon for Sticky Keys on the taskbar when Sticky Keys is turned on, under Notification, select the Show Sticky Keys status on screen check box.

Setting Up Sticky Keys for Mac Computers

Sticky Keys was first introduced to Mac OS in System 6 as part of the Easy Access extension, which also included mouse keys functionality.

• To set up Sticky Keys for a Mac you need to use the mouse. There is no keyboard shortcut.
• Bring up the Easy Access window. There is a Sticky Keys portion of the window.
• Click the "on" button to turn Sticky Keys on.
• Hit Command + w to close the Easy Access window. If you opened this window using the keyboard, the focus will switch to the Control Panel. You can continue using Command + w to close windows until all of the desired windows are closed.

Also see our List of Hotkeys Keyboard Shortcuts - This handy printable list of computer keyboard hot-key shortcuts will make computing a lot faster and easier for any computer user.