Chapter 4. Low Vision

Table of Contents

4.1. Introduction

This chapter outlines accessibility features available in graphical desktop environments designed for users with low vision, such as virtual magnifiers, easy-to-read fonts, and screen scaling.

4.2. Desktop Size

Graphical environments allow users to adjust the desktop display size, a feature commonly known as screen scaling or HiDPI scaling. The goal is to enlarge desktop elements such as icons, text, and windows to improve visibility and accessibility.

4.2.1. XFCE

To set a custom scaling factor, for example 4, run the following command:

% xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Gdk/WindowScalingFactor -s 4

Alternatively, HiDPI scaling can be enabled with a fixed 2x factor using the graphical interface. This option is available in the Appearance dialog, under the Settings tab as Window Scaling. To open the Appearance dialog, execute:

% xfce4-appearance-settings

4.3. Font

The x11-fonts/atkinson-hyperlegible provides the atkinson-hyperlegible font. It is designed for good readability, the letter shapes aim to increase character recognition. To install, execute:

# pkg install atkinson-hyperlegible

The remainder of this section describes how to set up fonts in various graphical environments using atkinson-hyperlegible as an example.

4.3.1. XFCE

XFCE allows you to select the font and size for window titles and content text, as well as the font size for icon labels.

% xfconf-query -c xfwm4 -p /general/title_font -s "Atkinson Hyperlegible 15" (1)
% xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Gtk/FontName -s "Atkinson Hyperlegible 15" (2)
% xfconf-query -c xsettings -p /Gtk/MonospaceFontName -s "Atkinson Hyperlegible 15" (3)
% xfconf-query -c xfce4-desktop -p /desktop-icons/use-custom-font-size -s true (4)
% xfconf-query -c xfce4-desktop -p /desktop-icons/font-size -s 15.0 (5)
1Set the window title font to Atkinson Hyperlegible, size 15.
2Set the window content font to Atkinson Hyperlegible, size 15.
3Set the monospace font within windows to Atkinson Hyperlegible, size 15.
4Enable custom font sizing for icons.
5Set the icon font size to 15.0.

Alternatively, you can configure the same settings using the graphical XFCE configuration dialogs.

To select the font for window titles, open the Window Manager dialog:

% xfwm4-settings

To choose the font used inside windows, open the Appearance dialog and go to the Fonts tab:

% xfce4-appearance-settings

In the Fonts tab, you can also adjust options such as anti-aliasing, Hinting, Sub-pixel order, and Custom DPI. For more details, see the XFCE documentation.

To set the font size for icons, open the Desktop dialog and go to the Desktop Icons tab where you can adjust the icon font size:

% xfdesktop-settings

4.4. Magnify

This section describes various utilities that magnify portions of the screen, acting as virtual magnifying lenses. Some tools continuously enlarge the area beneath the mouse cursor, while others do not. Certain utilities automatically move the magnified window to follow the cursor, whereas others keep it fixed in place.

Table 1. Screen magnifier utilities.
NameAuto UpdateAuto Move LensPackage

lupe

Yes

No

x11/lupe

kmag

Yes

No

accessibility/kmag

xlupe

Yes

No

x11/xlupe

xmag

No

No

x11/xmag

xzoom

No

No

x11/xzoom

The rest of this section details the steps to install, configure, and launch the utilities.

4.4.1. lupe

The lupe(1) utility is a screen magnifier for the X Window System that updates the magnified area in real time. To install it, run:

# pkg install lupe

By default, lupe magnifies the screen content beneath the mouse pointer within a circular area (25×25 pixels) displayed at the center of the screen. To start lupe, run:

% lupe

To exit lupe, press the q key.

Start lupe with the -noshape option to display the magnified area in a separate, movable window. Without this option, the magnifier is locked to the center of the screen.

4.4.2. kmag

The kmag(1) utility provides a screen magnifier that displays a zoomed view of the area under the mouse cursor in a dedicated window. The magnifier window includes a menu with various options and settings for customization.

To install kmag, run:

# pkg install kmag

To launch kmag, execute:

% kmag

4.4.3. xlupe

The x11/xlupe utility is a screen magnifier for the X Window System that updates the magnified view in real time. To install it, run:

# pkg install xlupe

To launch xlupe, execute:

% xlupe

The utility does not include a manual page, but it starts in a graphical window with buttons that allow you to configure its options interactively.

4.4.4. xmag

The xmag(1) utility is a basic screen magnifier for the X Window System. Unlike other magnifiers, it does not update the magnified area in real time.

To install it, run:

To install, execute:

# pkg install xmag

To launch xmag, execute:

% mag

xmag does not display a magnified area immediately upon launch. Click anywhere on the screen with the left mouse button to select a region, and xmag will open a window showing a magnified view of that area. The application window includes a few buttons offering limited functionality.

4.4.5. xzoom

The xzoom(1) utility is a screen magnifier for the X Window System that updates the magnified view in real time. To install it, run:

# pkg install xzoom

To launch xzoom, execute:

% xzoom

Unlike other magnifiers, xzoom does not automatically follow the mouse cursor or magnify the area beneath it in its own window. Interaction is keyboard-driven, refer to xzoom(1) for available commands and usage details.

4.5. Mouse

4.5.1. Apparance

Some desktop environments allow you to change the size, color, and other graphical properties of the mouse cursor.

4.5.1.1. XFCE

XFCE allows you to set the size and color of the mouse pointer via Mouse and Touchpad dialog. To run the dialog start:

% xfce4-mouse-settings

Then click on the Theme tab to select a size and a style.

Some themes, included the Default, do not support cursor size customization.

Alternatively, you can achieve the same result via the xfconf-query command. The following example set the current theme cursur to size 50:

% xfconf-query -c xsettings -n -p /Gtk/CursorThemeSize -s 50

4.5.2. Find Cursor

Some desktop environments provide a visul feedback of the mouse pointer’s current position.

4.5.2.1. XFCE

Xfce draws large red circles around the mouse pointer. Type:

% xfce4-find-cursor

The above command draws circles for a few seconds.

Keyboard Shortcut

XFCE allows to add a keyboard shortcut. Circles are drawn for as long as the shortcut keys are pressed. To use the shortcut before enable the feature then choose the key combination to bind to xfce4-find-cursor.

Example to enable and bind Ctrl + Super + k:

xfconf-query -c accessibility -p /FindCursor -s true
xfconf-query -c xfce4-keyboard-shortcuts -n -t 'string' -p '/commands/custom/<Ctrl><Super>k' -s xfce4-find-cursor

Keyboard Shortcut via Dialogs

Alternatively, you can achieve the same result via the XFCE configuration dialogs. First step, open the XFCE Accessibility dialog:

% xfce4-accessibility-settings

Click on Mouse tab and enable the Show location of pointer on keypress checkbox.

Second step, open the XFCE Keyboard dialog:

% xfce4-keyboard-settings

Click on Application Shortcuts tab. Click on + Add button, it opens the Shortcut Command dialog. Write xfce4-find-cursor in the form, then click on the OK button. Choose a key combination to bind to xfce4-find-cursor in the new dialog.

Last modified on: June 17, 2025 by Alfonso Siciliano

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