# Accessibility

IntelliJ IDEA lets you enable various accessibility features to accommodate your needs. You can use a screen reader or adjust font size, colors, and the behavior of certain UI elements to make the process of working with IntelliJ IDEA easier.

## Set up a screen reader

IntelliJ IDEA supports screen readers on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Procedure: Enable a screen reader in IntelliJ IDEA

1. Download and enable your preferred screen reader:

Windows:

* [NVDA](https://www.nvaccess.org/): use the NVDA 2019.3 or later version for compatibility with 64-bit Java applications, such as IntelliJ IDEA. Download, install, and enable NVDA.

* [JAWS](https://www.freedomscientific.com/Products/Blindness/JAWS): use the JAWS 12.0.1158 64-bit or later version for compatibility with 64-bit Java applications, such as IntelliJ IDEA. Download the version you need and restart your computer to enable the JAWS screen reader.

macOS:
Enable the [VoiceOver](https://www.apple.com/voiceover/info/guide/_1124.html) screen reader since it is already built into the system.

Linux:

Use the [Orca](https://orca.gnome.org/) version compatible with your Linux environment.

Download, install, and enable Orca.

2. On the first launch, IntelliJ IDEA automatically shows a prompt that suggests enabling the screen reader support if a running screen reader was detected.

In the dialog that opens, click Enable to optimize the IntelliJ IDEA behavior for screen readers.

The screen reader support can also be activated [later
or manually](#configure_screen_reader_manually) for already installed and configured versions of IntelliJ IDEA.

3. The Support screen readers option located in `Settings | Appearance & Behavior | Appearance` will be enabled.

> **Note:**
> When the Support screen readers option is enabled, IntelliJ IDEA disables tooltips for icons in the main toolbar, switches controls to a keyboard, and adapts some controls for screen readers.

Procedure: Configure screen reader support manually

To enable screen reader support before the initial launch of IntelliJ IDEA or for its already configured version, do the following:

Windows:

1.

Open the [configuration directory](directories-used-by-the-ide-to-store-settings-caches-plugins-and-logs.html#config-directory) that contains personal settings, such as keymaps and color schemes.

Syntax
: `%APPDATA%\JetBrains\<product><version>`

Example
: `C:\Users\JohnS\AppData\Roaming\JetBrains\IntelliJIdea2026.2`

2. Create a file called `idea.properties`.

3. Add the `ide.support.screenreaders.enabled=true` property to the file you have created.

macOS:

1.

Open the [configuration directory](directories-used-by-the-ide-to-store-settings-caches-plugins-and-logs.html#config-directory) that contains personal settings, such as keymaps and color schemes.

Syntax
: `~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/<product><version>`

Example
: `~/Library/Application Support/JetBrains/IntelliJIdea2026.2`

2. Create a file called `idea.properties`.

3. Add the `ide.support.screenreaders.enabled=true` property to the file you have created.

Linux:

1.

Open the [configuration directory](directories-used-by-the-ide-to-store-settings-caches-plugins-and-logs.html#config-directory) that contains personal settings, such as keymaps and color schemes.

Syntax
: `~/.config/JetBrains/<product><version>`

Example
: `~/.config/JetBrains/IntelliJIdea2026.2`

2.  Copy  the `<IDE_HOME>/bin/idea64.vmoptions` file to the directory.

3. Add the `-Djavax.accessibility.assistive_technologies=org.GNOME.Accessibility.AtkWrapper` option on a separate line and save the file.

To learn more about JVM options, see [JVM options](tuning-the-ide.html#configure-jvm-options).

4. Create a file called `idea.properties`.

5. Add the `ide.support.screenreaders.enabled=true` property to the file you have created.

The Support screen readers option located in `Settings | Appearance & Behavior | Appearance` will be enabled.

## Navigate the IDE with the keyboard

Procedure: Navigate the main menu

On Windows, you can navigate the [main menu](customize-actions-menus-and-toolbars.html#main_menu_as_toolbar) using the keyboard, the same way as in other Windows applications.

* Press `Alt` to focus on the main menu bar.

Procedure: Navigate the main toolbar

You can use keyboard shortcuts to focus on the main toolbar and move between its elements.

> **Note:**
> The shortcut is not mapped by default in the Visual Studio, Visual Studio (macOS), and Xcode keymaps, but you can [add it manually](#shortcuts_customize).

* To move the focus to the main toolbar, press `Alt+Page Up` (Windows), `⌥ Page ↑` (macOS), `⌥ Page ↑` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌥ Page ↑` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Alt+Page Up` (XWin), `Alt+Page Up` (GNOME), `Alt+Page Up` (KDE), `Alt+Page Up` (Emacs), `Alt+Page Up` (Sublime Text), `⌥ Page ↑` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Alt+Page Up` (NetBeans), `Alt+Page Up` (Visual Studio), `Alt+Page Up` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Alt+Page Up` (Eclipse), `⌥ Page ↑` (Eclipse (macOS)). The focused item is highlighted with a blue frame.

* To move the focus between toolbar widgets and buttons, press `Tab` and `Shift``Tab` or `→` and `←`.

* To return the previously focused tool window or editor, press `Esc` to return the previously focused tool window or editor.

Procedure: Navigate the status bar

You can use keyboard shortcuts to focus on the status bar and move between its elements.

> **Note:**
> The shortcut is not mapped by default in the Visual Studio, Visual Studio (macOS), and Xcode keymaps, but you can [add it manually](#shortcuts_customize).

* To move the focus to the status bar, press `Alt+Page Down` (Windows), `⌥ Page ↓` (macOS), `⌥ Page ↓` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌥ Page ↓` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Alt+Page Down` (XWin), `Alt+Page Down` (GNOME), `Alt+Page Down` (KDE), `Alt+Page Down` (Emacs), `Alt+Page Down` (Sublime Text), `⌥ Page ↓` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Alt+Page Down` (NetBeans), `Alt+Page Down` (Visual Studio), `Alt+Page Down` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Alt+Page Down` (Eclipse), `⌥ Page ↓` (Eclipse (macOS)). The focused item is highlighted with a blue frame.

* To move the focus between status bar widgets, press `Tab` and `Shift``Tab` or `→` and `←`.

* To return the previously focused tool window or editor, press `Esc` to return the previously focused tool window or editor.

## Customize the IDE

You can customize the IDE depending on your accessibility needs.

Procedure: Adjust colors for red-green color vision deficiency

You can adjust IDE and editor colors if you have red-green color vision deficiency. In this case, code notifications such as errors that are usually highlighted in red or strings that are usually green, will be displayed with neutral colors.  The color of the progress bar in the test runner will also get adjusted, so it can be easily recognized.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Appearance & Behavior | Appearance`.

2. Select Adjust colors for red-green vision deficiency and save your changes.

Check the following example with the Before image that has String highlighted in green color and Errors  highlighted in red and the After image where the colors are adjusted:

Before:

![Highlighting before adjusting colors](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/before_color_adjustment.png)

After:

![Highlighting after adjusting colors](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/after_color_adjustment.png)

Procedure: Add the contrast color for scrollbars

You can make scrollbars in the editor more visible.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Appearance & Behavior | Appearance`.

2. From the options on the right, under the Accessibility section, select Use contrast scrollbars.

> **Note:**
> To configure the editor vertical scrollbar color and opacity, use the [color scheme settings](#color_config) .

Procedure: Configure colors for code elements, editor, scrollbar, hyperlinks, and so on

You can adjust colors for code elements, errors, elements of the editor, and tool windows. You can also configure a color for the vertical scrollbar in the editor.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Editor | Color Scheme | General`.

2. From the list on the right, select an element for which you want to adjust the color. For example, you can select Code and adjust colors for injected language fragments or matched braces, and so on. Click OK to save the changes.

You can also adjust colors for the debugger, consoles and other parts of the IDE: select the appropriate node in the list of options located in `Settings | Editor | Color Scheme`.

![Configuring the color of the caret row](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/configure_colors_for_code_elements.png)

Procedure: Change the default UI font

You can adjust the font and its size in menus, sidebars, and tool windows to improve navigation readability without altering your editor's appearance.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Appearance & Behavior | Appearance`.

2. From the options on the right, from the Use custom font list, select a font and specify the font size in the Size field.

3. Click OK to save the changes.

![Changing font size for UI icons and text](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/configure_font.png)

As a result, the size of icons and texts in the UI will be adjusted.

Procedure: Resize tool windows

You can resize the actual tool windows vertically or horizontally using shortcuts.

* To resize vertically up or down, press `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up` (Windows), `⌃ ⌥ ↑` (macOS), `⌘ ⌥ ⇧ ↑` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌃ ⌥ ↑` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up` (Sublime Text), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up` (Visual Studio), `⌃ ⌥ ↑` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up` (Eclipse), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up` (Eclipse (macOS)) or `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down` (Windows), `⌃ ⌥ ↓` (macOS), `⌘ ⌥ ⇧ ↓` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌃ ⌥ ↓` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down` (Sublime Text), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down` (Visual Studio), `⌃ ⌥ ↓` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down` (Eclipse), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down` (Eclipse (macOS)).

* To resize horizontally left or right, press `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left` (Windows), `⌃ ⌥ ←` (macOS), `⌘ ⌥ ⇧ ←` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌃ ⌥ ←` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left` (Sublime Text), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left` (Visual Studio), `⌃ ⌥ ←` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left` (Eclipse), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left` (Eclipse (macOS)) or `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right` (Windows), `⌃ ⌥ →` (macOS), `⌘ ⌥ ⇧ →` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌃ ⌥ →` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right` (Sublime Text), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right` (Visual Studio), `⌃ ⌥ →` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right` (Eclipse), `Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right` (Eclipse (macOS)).

Procedure: Adjust font size in the editor

You can change the font and the size of the text in the editor.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Editor | General`.

2. From the options on the right, select the Change font size (Zoom) with Ctrl+Mouse Wheel option to quickly change the text size (turning the mouse wheel) while you are working in the editor.

3. If you need to specify the exact font size, select `Editor | Font`.

4. From the options on the right, specify the font, its size, line spacing, and other available options. Click OK to save changes.

### Set the zoom level for all UI elements

You can set the zoom level for the entire IDE, making it smaller or larger than the default scale, depending on your needs.

Select from preset values:

Procedure:

1. Go to `View | Appearance` and select Zoom IDE.

2. To preview different zoom levels, hover over the options in the popup.

![Zoom popup menu with values from 70% to 200%, 100% is selected](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/zoom_level_popup.png)

3. Click the preferred zoom level to apply the changes.

Enter a custom value:

Procedure:

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Appearance & Behavior | Appearance`.

2. In the Accessibility section, click the Zoom field and enter your value.

![Accessibility section with Zoom field set to custom value 117%](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/enter-zoom-level.gif)

3. Click OK to apply the changes.

Procedure: Customize shortcuts

You can configure custom shortcuts to actions that you frequently use.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Keymap`.

2. From the list of options on the right, such as menus, actions, and tools, select the action you need.

3. Right-click the selected item and from the context menu, select the action you want to perform, for example, Add Keyboard Shortcut, Add Mouse Shortcut, or Add Abbreviation.

![Adding a keybord shortcut for an action](https://resources.jetbrains.com.cn/help/img/idea/2026.2/add_keybord_shortcut.png)

4. In the dialog that opens, specify a shortcut. If necessary, select the Second stroke option and specify an additional key for the shortcut. To save the changes, click OK with the mouse (if you press `Enter` (Windows), `⏎` (macOS), `⏎` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⏎` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Enter` (XWin), `Enter` (GNOME), `Enter` (KDE), `Enter` (Emacs), `Enter` (Sublime Text), `⏎` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Enter` (NetBeans), `Enter` (Visual Studio), `⏎` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Enter` (Eclipse), `⏎` (Eclipse (macOS)), IntelliJ IDEA will consider it a shortcut).

> **Note:**
> You can ignore conflicts and assign a shortcut to several actions. However, it is strongly recommended that you avoid binding two actions with the same shortcut, because the priority of these actions is not defined.

Procedure: Customize smart keys behavior

You can configure the behavior of smart keys.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Editor | General | Smart keys`.

2. From the options on the right, select or clear the smart keys options. For example, you can clear the Insert paired brackets or the Insert paired quotes option that automatically inserts a closing bracket or a quote since it might not be useful when you use a screen reader. Click OK to save changes.

Procedure: Disable automatic code completion

You can disable automatic code completion to avoid auto-inserting code elements when you work in the editor with a screen reader.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Editor | General | Code completion`.

2. Clear the Type-Matching Completion option. If necessary, clear Basic Completion to disable basic completion as well.

Procedure: Customize code folding

You can control the code folding behavior and specify what should or should not be folded.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Editor | General | Code folding`.

2. From the options on the right, select what should be collapsed by default.

Procedure: Customize code style

You can configure spaces, tabs, and indents.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Editor | Code Style | [Language]`.

2. From the options on the right, click Tabs and Indents to configure tabs or Spaces to configure where and how to use spaces.

3. Click OK to save the changes.

Procedure: Read gutter icons and line numbers in the editor

You can configure a screen reader to read line numbers, VCS annotations, debugger, and other icons that are located in the left gutter of your editor.

> **Note:**
> Make sure that the Support screen readers option is selected in `Settings | Appearance & Behavior | Appearance`.

1. Open your file in the editor.

2. Press `Alt+Shift+6, F` (Windows), `⌥ ⇧ 6, F` (macOS), `⌥ ⇧ 6, F` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌥ ⇧ 6, F` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Alt+Shift+6, F` (XWin), `Alt+Shift+6, F` (GNOME), `Alt+Shift+6, F` (KDE), `Alt+Shift+6, F` (Emacs), `Alt+Shift+6, F` (Sublime Text), `⌥ ⇧ 6, F` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Alt+Shift+6, F` (NetBeans), `Alt+Shift+6, F` (Visual Studio), `⌥ ⇧ 6, F` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Alt+Shift+6, F` (Eclipse), `⌥ ⇧ 6, F` (Eclipse (macOS)) to focus on the gutter. IntelliJ IDEA starts reading from the line where your caret is currently located.

3. Use the Up and Down arrow keys to move between lines. If you need to move to the next or previous gutter element in the line, use the Right and Left arrow keys respectively.

While the focus is in the gutter, the screen reader can read the gutter icon tooltip if it is available.

To access a tooltip, press the double shortcut `Alt+Shift+6, T` (Windows), `⌥ ⇧ 6, T` (macOS), `⌥ ⇧ 6, T` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌥ ⇧ 6, T` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Alt+Shift+6, T` (XWin), `Alt+Shift+6, T` (GNOME), `Alt+Shift+6, T` (KDE), `Alt+Shift+6, T` (Emacs), `Alt+Shift+6, T` (Sublime Text), `⌥ ⇧ 6, T` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Alt+Shift+6, T` (NetBeans), `Alt+Shift+6, T` (Visual Studio), `⌥ ⇧ 6, T` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Alt+Shift+6, T` (Eclipse), `⌥ ⇧ 6, T` (Eclipse (macOS)). To browse through the tooltip's content (symbol by symbol), use the Right and Left arrow keys.

4. Press `Escape` (Windows), `⎋` (macOS), `⎋` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⎋` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Escape` (XWin), `Escape` (GNOME), `Escape` (KDE), `Escape, Escape` (Emacs), `Escape` (Sublime Text), `⎋` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Escape` (NetBeans), `Escape` (Visual Studio), `⎋` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Escape` (Eclipse), `⎋` (Eclipse (macOS)) to switch the focus back to the editor.

Procedure: Set a high-contrast color theme

You can set a high-contrast interface theme to work in IntelliJ IDEA. The interface theme defines the appearance of windows, dialogs, and controls.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Appearance & Behavior | Appearance`.

2. From the Theme list, select High Contrast, and click OK to apply changes.

Procedure: Set a high-contrast color scheme

You can set a high-contrast color scheme for your editor. IntelliJ IDEA uses color schemes to help you define the preferred colors and fonts in the editor.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Editor | Color Scheme | Color Scheme Font`.

2. On the Color Scheme Font page, from the Scheme list, select High Contrast.

3. Click OK to apply your changes.

Procedure: Switch to a simplified splash screen

The simplified splash screen provides an alternative to the standard startup image, minimizing visual triggers such as bright colors or complex graphics for users with photosensitivity or sensory preferences.

1. Press `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS)) to open settings and then select `Appearance & Behavior | Appearance`.

2. In the Accessibility section, select Use simplified splash screen.

You can check [Editor basics](using-code-editor.html), [IntelliJ IDEA keyboard shortcuts](mastering-keyboard-shortcuts.html), and [User interface](guided-tour-around-the-user-interface.html)   to familiarize yourself with other useful shortcuts.