X Windows: Screen Magnifiers

X Windows

Assistive Technologies IV

Screen Magnifiers 

A screen magnifier allows visually impaired users to magnify areas of the screen as if they were using a real magnifying glass. You can choose from a wide variety of screen magnifiers, including Orca,  GNOME Magnifier, and KDE Magnifier.

Of these, Orca is probably the most popular, primarily because it can function as both a screen reader and a screen magnifier.



You can start Orca from the shell prompt by entering orca –e magnifier.To configure a screen magnifier, do the following:


1. Access the Universal Access panel and select Zoom.


2. Configure the following magnification options:

    • Magnification: The level of magnification to be used

    •  Magnifier position: The size and color of the magnifier’s cursor

    •  Crosshairs Settings: The magnifier’s area-targeting cursor

    • Color Effects Settings: The color of the magnified region



3. When you’re done, select  Close 





LX0-104 Exam Objectives (J)