How to access the accessibility shortcuts in macOS 10.14 Mojave

Terminology:

‘Alt’ refers to the ‘Option’ key ( ⌥ )

If you have enabled ‘Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys’ under ‘Keyboard’ settings in ‘System Preferences’ then omit the ‘Fn’ key from the keyboard shortcuts shown in this article.

To open the ‘Accessibility Options’ windows:

• On a built-in keyboard press: ‘Fn’ + ‘Alt’ + ‘Cmd’ + ‘F5’
• On an external keyboard press: ‘Alt’ + ‘Cmd’ + ‘F5
• On Mac notebooks that have Touch ID:  Triple-press the ‘Touch ID’ button.

The ‘Accessibility Options’ window:

1. To turn an accessibility feature on or off, click the checkbox next to the feature you wish to activate / deactivate or press ‘Tab’ until the checkbox is highlighted and press ‘Spacebar’.
   
2. If you wish to change keyboard settings, such as the repeat and delay rates for typing, click the ‘Keyboard Shortcuts…’ button or press ‘Tab’ until the ‘Keyboard Shortcuts…’ button is highlighted and press ‘Spacebar’.
   
3. When you are happy with your settings click ‘Done’ or press ‘Tab’ until the ‘Done’ button is highlighted and press ‘Enter’.

To add or remove accessibility features from the Accessibility Shortcut

1. Open the 'Accessibility Option' window (see the steps above).
2. Click the ‘Preferences…’ button or press ‘Tab’ until the ‘Preferences…’ button is highlighted and press ‘Enter’.
   
3. In the the 'Accessibility' preferences window, select ‘General’ from the left hand column.
4. Select or deselect the accessibility features you would like to add to, or remove from, the ‘Accessibility Options’ window.
   
5. When you are happy with your settings, click the ‘Close’ (red) button at the top of the ‘Accessibility’ window or press ‘Cmd’ + ‘W’ to close the window.

Using Siri

Apple computers running the macOS Sierra operating system can use ‘Siri’, the built-in voice assistant, to turn accessibility features on or off.

1. To launch ‘Siri’ click the ‘Siri’ icon in the ‘Dock’ or the same icon in the ‘Menu bar’ or press ‘Cmd’ + ‘Spacebar’.
   
2. The ‘Siri’ window will appear in the top-right of your screen asking what you would like help with.
   
3. You can now ask ‘Siri’ questions like “turn Zoom on” or “turn VoiceOver on”. However, please note ‘Siri’ can’t activate all of the macOS accessibility features at this current time.
4. When you are finished click the ‘X’ close button in the top left corner of the ‘Siri’ window or press the ‘Escape’ key, once or twice as necessary.

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings are managed by someone else (an IT department or administrator for example). If this is the case you will need to contact them to access these settings or for further help.

More information:

See also macOS – Changing keyboard settings

Apple’s ‘Accessibility Options’ support page:  https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT202562