Frequently Asked Questions
What is assistive technology?
What is AOL Accessibility Help?
What's the difference between Accessibility Help and AOL Help?
Can I contact Member Services using Typetalk?
I use a screen reader. How do I get it to work best with AOL?
I use a screen reader with my AOL software. How do I tell which is the active window?
What are some general shortcuts to get around my AOL software?
How can I make text 'bigger' so I can see/read it better?
What is assistive technology?
Assistive technology and devices are aids which can help a person overcome functional limitations and perform tasks that might otherwise not be possible.
What is AOL Accessibility Help?
AOL Accessibility Help (this website) provides tips for AOL Members who:
- Have difficulty seeing the computer screen and would like more information on adjusting the text size, contrast or colour.
- Use a screen reader for a visual impairment and would like tips on how to optimise the use of the AOL service with their screen reader.
- Have difficulty typing or using a mouse and would like more information on shortcuts to ease navigation.
- Are deaf or hard of hearing and want to know about developments in Instant Messaging, wireless messaging and captioning.
In addition, assistance is provided for people who are not AOL Members but wish to find out more about how we support customers using assistive technology.
What's the difference between Accessibility Help and AOL Help?
Accessibility Help (this website) provides helpful tips for using the AOL service with assistive technology, aimed at Members and prospective Members.
AOL Help provides information and instructions for all of our products and services. You can find AOL Help at AOL Keyword: Help.
Can I contact AOL Broadband Member Services using Typetalk?
I use a screen reader. How do I get it to work best with AOL?
AOL continues to strive to improve the performance of the AOL service with screen readers. For the best AOL experience using the current release, AOL 9.0, we recommend using the JAWS screen reader. For more information visit the following page: Using AOL 9.0 with JAWS.
I use a screen reader with my AOL software. How do I tell which is the active window?
When you sign on to your AOL software, it opens multiple windows. We recommend that you begin by reviewing the list of open windows.
- Open the AOL Window menu by pressing Alt + W.
- Once inside this menu, use the Up or Down arrow keys on your keyboard to determine which windows are open.
- Press Enter on the title of the window that you'd like to access - Buddy List, AOL channels, etc.
- Press Shift + F2 to restrict your view to the active window.
We recommend you get started by first opening the Welcome screen. The title of this window is Welcome followed by your Screen Name.
Note: The windows that open may vary when you sign on.
What are some general shortcuts to get around the AOL software?
Visit AOL Keyword: Shortcuts and AOL Keyword: Keywords, where you will find a list of shortcuts and other Keywords that will help you find information quickly and easily.
How can I make text 'bigger' so I can see/read it better?
Full details on how to do this are available on the Vision page, in the section about screen magnifiers.