User Accounts for Visually Impaired Children? How?

Hi guys,

In a school of mine where a XP/Server2003 network is used, I want to be able to setup a user account specifically for visually impaired children, so that when they login, things such as:

- mouse pointer slowed down
- mouse pointer trails turned on
- extra large mouse pointer
- reduce screen resolution
- use large fonts

etc...

are all changed for the children, once they log off the machine should revert back to standard.

Whats the easiest way to achieve this?

I've been experimenting with themes but they don't really do what I want.

Thanks,
cm786 :D

What type of profiles do you use?

Just use Redirected Folders for Start menu, desktop and my docs.

Thanks :)

But are your profiles mandatory, roaming or local? Do you have a profile path set per user in AD?

Since each visual impariment is different I would suggest that you give them a mandatory profile. Then you can sit down with each student and your SENCO, and give them uncontrolled access to a machine to change the look and feel specifically for them. Once they are happy with this convert the profile to Mandatory and move onto the next student.

You may find that some students prefer to have the black background with white font, whilst others want yellow background with bold, black letters ... for some students it is trial and error.

HTH

Thanks for the help mate.

I have no profile path set at all. I just use group policy to to redirect start menu, desktop and my documents are redirected to a users home folder (H:).

I was advised not to use roaming profiles because of speed, but I don't mind having one user account using roaming profiles if it is the solution and is not too slow.

:)

As GrumbleDook said, you need to set them mandatory profiles and customise each one.

Similar to above, all VI kids are different and normally our kids all get the same mandatory profile. For the VI kids we spend time with them and set them up a roaming profile, we adjust the profile to suit their needs and we also spend time tracking the LSA responsible for the individual kids how to tweak the settings at a later date if needed.

We have around 7 kids lie this and they all have different settings for their own individual needs. We would never give all our kids roaming profiles but for these few its worth its weight in god to them.

Thanks for the details replies! :D

So basically I need to setup roaming profiles for each VI child. The roaming profile will allow me to customise their GUI interface and it follows them around between computers.

To create a roaming profile, do I just put a path to a PROFILES shared folder in the entry in the user account settings in AD users and computers?

Yep, and once you have the profile set up make it mandatory so they can't mess up the settings accidentally.

So for the dumb question...
But how do I make it mandetory? Is it quite obvious? :oops:

You change the ntuser.dat file in the profile on the server to be ntuser.man

Not obvious, but simple.

We use a program called SuperNova

http://www.dolphinuk.co.uk/productdetail.asp?id=1

We only have 1 student who requires it so install it on one PC in each room he may use.

Thanks for the help guys.
Back at the school today so I'll let you know how I get on. :wink: