Helpful tech tips: My Computer My Way

Alex.Barker | 28 Jan 2022

Are you wondering where you can get tech help for FREE? Look no further than AbilityNet’s recently updated tool, My Computer My Way (MCMW).

The tool helps anyone to make a device easier to use, which is critical to our mission to create a digital world accessible to all.

So, what is MCMW? And how do you use it?

Where to get tech help?

Simply go to the My Computer My Way home page at https://mcmw.abilitynet.org.uk or enter My Computer My Way into your preferred search engine.

We’ve designed the tool to help you discover how to make tech adjustments to a device. Tech adjustments are beneficial for older and disabled people. For example, many people’s eyesight deteriorates with age, and so you may wish to magnify what you’re seeing on your computer screen.

Tech help for seniors and disabled people

Most devices include various accessibility features to make simple adjustments, such as making text bigger or viewing the screen through a magnifier.

Companies such as Apple, Google and Microsoft are working hard to bring these features to the fore, so they’re easier to find. However, My Computer My Way provides tech help to make these adjustments – and more.

Other adjustments, for example, can help people with a visual impairment. My Computer My Way has tips on tools such as Voice Over – the screen reader included in iOS, a brilliant example of assistive technology.

Visit My Computer My Way for tech help

How to get tech help from Apple, Google, and Microsoft

Apple, Google, and Microsoft are leaders in digital accessibility; notably, Google and Microsoft are previous Gold Sponsors of TechShare Pro – the UK’s largest accessibility show hosted by AbilityNet.

My Computer My Way offers tips across all three. We have tech tips for smartphones, including iOS and Android. In addition, we have tech tips for Android-based tablets, Apple devices, and Windows OS for tablets.

You’ll find tips for Apple’s macOS, Windows, and Chromebook on a desktop.

Tech tips tailored to your device

Following our revamp, MCMW will automatically recognise the device you’re using to access the tool. You’ll notice that your operating will be listed within the search fields on your screen.

The search filters appear just below an empty search box.

Screen shot showing the filters within My Computer My Way. Left to right these are Category, Adjustments, Condition, Symptom, Operating System, Browser

Of course, you might be accessing My Computer My Way from a different device to the one you need help with, and you can change the filters.

Where can I get tech help?

You’ll see other parameters in My Computer My Way you can use to filter the tips. These filters help tailor the tech help for your individual needs.

You can narrow the field by category: Cognitive, Hearing, Motor, Vision; by condition, such as dementia or anxiety; or by symptom (e.g., colour blind). Alternatively, filter by adjustment if you know what you want to do, for example, Magnify Text.

Where can I find tech help near me?

My Computer My Way is an excellent tool for self-help. However, you can also access FREE tech help near you from one of our 350+ regional volunteers.

For FREE support, call our helpline on 0800 048 7642 during UK office hours, or you can complete our online form.

Free support from AbilityNet

AbilityNet provides a range of free services to help disabled people and older people.