Adjust Magnification
This feature includes the enlargement (magnification) of text, pictures, and/or multimedia on the display. This magnification should be adjustable by the user to meet individual preferences and needs. Different products or user options may allow a variety of magnification types and sizes, such as a magnification of all items on the screen, magnification of only certain types of items (e.g. text), or magnification of a specified area (e.g. around the mouse cursor).
Discussion by Disabilities
Magnification makes it easier for many people with low vision to view and understand content
Magnification may be helpful, because it reduces the amount of visible items on the screen, thus reducing distractions and promoting focus.
Existing Products
Please note that this listing includes products that are dedicated magnifiers, as well as literacy and visual adjustment suites that include a magnification tool. These products are not necessarily endorsed by RtF, but represent the range of available options.
Open Source and free
These products are free and their source code may be modified with few restrictions.
- Kmagnifier(link is external) – Sarang Lakare
- No Squint(link is external) – Jason Tackaberry
- Orca(link is external) – (open source), Sun
- Virtual Magnifying Glass(link is external)
Free, not necessarily open source
These products are free to use, but may have strict restrictions on viewing and modifying source code.
- Another Lens(link is external) – B-Zone (Bjorn Ischo)
- Coloristic(link is external) – BubblePop Software
- DeskLens(link is external) – Absolute Core
- Desktop Magnifying Glass(link is external) – Workers Collection
- DesktopZoom(link is external) – Little Gems
- Dragnifier(link is external) – Ed Halley
- EasyRead(link is external) – Iconico
- EzMagnifier(link is external) – AncientSoft
- Fatbits Screen Magnifier(link is external) – John Ridges
- iZoom Web(link is external) – Issist
- KwikLoupe – FX Software
- Screen Beagle(link is external) – Greatis
- ZoomPlus (Zoom+)(link is external) – GipsySoft
- POINTING MAGNIFIER(link is external)
Commercial, with free trial
These products are free to try for a limited period of time or with limited functionality. They must be purchased for full functionality.
- ABF Magnifying Tools(link is external) – ABF Software
- BigShot(link is external) – AI Squared
- Galileo(link is external) – Baum
- Lunar(link is external) – Dolphin
- Magic 11.0(link is external) – Freedom Scientific
- Magic Lens Max(link is external) – VisionSuit
- Magnifying Glass Pro(link is external) – Workers Collection
- The Magnifier(link is external) - Innovation Management Group
- Magnifixer(link is external) - Black Sun software
- Zoom Magnifier(link is external) - Apple, Inc.
- Screen Loupe 2000(link is external) – Gregory Braun
- The Magnifier(link is external) – IMG
- Zoomaview(link is external) – Zoomaview
- ZoomText Magnifier/Reader(link is external) – AI Squared
Commercial, no free trial
These products must be purchased to be used, and did not offer free trials at the time of posting.
- Mobile Magnifier(link is external) – Code Factory
Related Research and Papers
- Improving GUI accessibility for people with low vision(link is external) – RPI – Kline, R.L. and Gilnert, E.P. (1995)
- Web accessibility for people with disabilities: An introduction for web developers(link is external)- Carter, J. and Markel, M.
- Freedom to roam: a study of mobile device adoption and accessibility for people with visual and motor disabilities(link is external)- Kane, Shaune K. ; Jayant, Chandrika ; Wobbrock, Jacob O; Ladner, Richard E.
- Reducing barriers to online access for people with disabilities(link is external)- Lazar, Jonathan and Jaegar, Paul
- Computer assistive technology for people who have disabilities: Computer adaptations and modifications(link is external)- Brodwin, Martin G; Star, Tristen and Cardoso, Elizabeth(2004)
- Remote usability evaluations with disabled people(link is external)- Petrie, Helen; Hamilton, Fraser; King, Neil; Pavan, Pete(2006)
- Learning technologies for people with disabilities(link is external)- Laabidi, Mohsen et al. (2014)
- A customizable camera-based human computer interaction system allowing people with disabilities autonomous hands-free navigation of multiple computing tasks(link is external)- Akram, Wajeeha; Tiberii, Laura; Betke,Margrit
- Using remote laboratories to extend access to science and engineering(link is external)- Colwell, Chetz; Scanlon, Eileen; Cooper, Martyn(2002)