Reducing Motion and Transparency on macOS Devices

macOS provides various accessibility options to enhance user experience, particularly for users who are sensitive to visual effects or require optimized performance. The Display section of the Accessibility settings allows users to modify display settings to suit their needs, including options to reduce motion and transparency. This comprehensive guide provides scripts and techniques to manage these settings across Mac fleets.

Understanding Motion and Transparency Settings

Reduce Motion

The "Reduce Motion" setting alters interface animations to make them simpler and more visually comfortable. When enabled, it replaces complex animations with simpler cross-fade effects, reducing potential discomfort for users sensitive to motion.

Benefits:

• Reduces eye strain and motion sickness
• Improves performance on older hardware
• Creates a more predictable user interface
• Helps users with vestibular disorders or motion sensitivity

Reduce Transparency

The "Reduce Transparency" setting changes semi-transparent elements in the user interface to solid ones, removing the blur and transparency effects throughout the system.

Benefits:

• Improves readability and contrast
• Reduces visual distractions
• Better performance on systems with limited graphics capabilities
• Helps users with visual impairments

Prerequisites

Before configuring motion and transparency settings, ensure you have:

• Administrative privileges on the Mac
• Terminal or SSH access
• Understanding of user context requirements
• Backup of current settings (recommended)

Basic Configuration Commands

Understanding the Configuration Process

macOS accessibility settings are stored in user preferences and require specific approaches:

• User Context: Settings must be applied for the correct user
• Preference Files: Settings are stored in com.apple.universalaccess.plist
• System Integration: Changes affect the entire user interface
• Real-time Application: Settings take effect immediately

Current User Detection

Most accessibility settings require user context. Here's how to detect the current user:

#!/bin/bash

# Get current console user
get_current_user() {
    local current_user=$(ls -l /dev/console | awk '{ print $3 }')
    echo "$current_user"
}

# Get user home directory
get_user_home() {
    local username=$1
    local user_home=$(eval echo ~$username)
    echo "$user_home"
}

# Example usage
current_user=$(get_current_user)
user_home=$(get_user_home "$current_user")

echo "Current user: $current_user"
echo "User home: $user_home"

Basic Motion and Transparency Reduction

Simple Enable Script

Basic script to enable both reduce motion and reduce transparency:

#!/bin/bash

# Enable reduce motion and reduce transparency
echo "Configuring accessibility settings..."

# Get current user
loggedInUser=$(ls -l /dev/console | awk '{ print $3 }')

if [ -z "$loggedInUser" ] || [ "$loggedInUser" = "root" ]; then
    echo "Error: No valid user session found"
    exit 1
fi

echo "Configuring settings for user: $loggedInUser"

# Enable reduce motion
if su -l "$loggedInUser" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceMotion -bool true"; then
    echo "✓ Reduce motion enabled"
else
    echo "✗ Failed to enable reduce motion"
    exit 1
fi

# Enable reduce transparency
if su -l "$loggedInUser" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool true"; then
    echo "✓ Reduce transparency enabled"
else
    echo "✗ Failed to enable reduce transparency"
    exit 1
fi

echo "Accessibility settings configured successfully"

Advanced Configuration Script

More comprehensive script with validation and logging:

#!/bin/bash

# Advanced accessibility configuration script
LOG_FILE="/var/log/accessibility_settings.log"
TIMESTAMP=$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')

# Configuration options
REDUCE_MOTION=${1:-true}
REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY=${2:-true}

# Function to log messages
log_message() {
    echo "[$TIMESTAMP] $1" | tee -a "$LOG_FILE"
}

# Function to validate boolean input
validate_boolean() {
    local value=$1
    local setting_name=$2
    
    if [[ "$value" != "true" && "$value" != "false" ]]; then
        log_message "ERROR: Invalid value for $setting_name: $value (must be true or false)"
        return 1
    fi
    
    return 0
}

# Function to get current accessibility settings
get_current_settings() {
    local username=$1
    
    log_message "Getting current accessibility settings for user: $username"
    
    # Get reduce motion setting
    local motion_setting=$(su -l "$username" -c "defaults read com.apple.universalaccess reduceMotion 2>/dev/null")
    if [ -z "$motion_setting" ]; then
        motion_setting="Not set"
    fi
    
    # Get reduce transparency setting
    local transparency_setting=$(su -l "$username" -c "defaults read com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency 2>/dev/null")
    if [ -z "$transparency_setting" ]; then
        transparency_setting="Not set"
    fi
    
    echo "Current Accessibility Settings:"
    echo "  Reduce Motion: $motion_setting"
    echo "  Reduce Transparency: $transparency_setting"
    
    log_message "Current settings - Motion: $motion_setting, Transparency: $transparency_setting"
}

# Function to configure reduce motion
configure_reduce_motion() {
    local username=$1
    local enable_motion=$2
    
    log_message "Configuring reduce motion to: $enable_motion for user: $username"
    
    if su -l "$username" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceMotion -bool $enable_motion"; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: Reduce motion set to $enable_motion"
        return 0
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to configure reduce motion"
        return 1
    fi
}

# Function to configure reduce transparency
configure_reduce_transparency() {
    local username=$1
    local enable_transparency=$2
    
    log_message "Configuring reduce transparency to: $enable_transparency for user: $username"
    
    if su -l "$username" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool $enable_transparency"; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: Reduce transparency set to $enable_transparency"
        return 0
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to configure reduce transparency"
        return 1
    fi
}

# Function to verify settings
verify_settings() {
    local username=$1
    local expected_motion=$2
    local expected_transparency=$3
    
    log_message "Verifying accessibility settings for user: $username"
    
    # Verify reduce motion
    local actual_motion=$(su -l "$username" -c "defaults read com.apple.universalaccess reduceMotion 2>/dev/null")
    if [ "$actual_motion" = "$expected_motion" ]; then
        log_message "VERIFIED: Reduce motion correctly set to $expected_motion"
    else
        log_message "WARNING: Reduce motion verification failed. Expected: $expected_motion, Actual: $actual_motion"
    fi
    
    # Verify reduce transparency
    local actual_transparency=$(su -l "$username" -c "defaults read com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency 2>/dev/null")
    if [ "$actual_transparency" = "$expected_transparency" ]; then
        log_message "VERIFIED: Reduce transparency correctly set to $expected_transparency"
    else
        log_message "WARNING: Reduce transparency verification failed. Expected: $expected_transparency, Actual: $actual_transparency"
    fi
}

# Main execution
log_message "Starting accessibility configuration"

# Validate inputs
if ! validate_boolean "$REDUCE_MOTION" "reduce motion"; then
    exit 1
fi

if ! validate_boolean "$REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY" "reduce transparency"; then
    exit 1
fi

# Get current user
loggedInUser=$(ls -l /dev/console | awk '{ print $3 }')

if [ -z "$loggedInUser" ] || [ "$loggedInUser" = "root" ]; then
    log_message "ERROR: No valid user session found"
    exit 1
fi

log_message "Current user: $loggedInUser"

# Show current settings
get_current_settings "$loggedInUser"

# Configure reduce motion
if ! configure_reduce_motion "$loggedInUser" "$REDUCE_MOTION"; then
    log_message "Failed to configure reduce motion"
    exit 1
fi

# Configure reduce transparency
if ! configure_reduce_transparency "$loggedInUser" "$REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY"; then
    log_message "Failed to configure reduce transparency"
    exit 1
fi

# Verify settings
verify_settings "$loggedInUser" "$REDUCE_MOTION" "$REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY"

log_message "Accessibility configuration completed successfully"
echo "Accessibility settings configured successfully"
echo "Settings will be applied immediately"

Individual Setting Management

Reduce Motion Only

Script to manage only the reduce motion setting:

#!/bin/bash

# Reduce motion configuration script
LOG_FILE="/var/log/accessibility_settings.log"
TIMESTAMP=$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')

# Configuration
ENABLE_REDUCE_MOTION=${1:-true}

# Function to log messages
log_message() {
    echo "[$TIMESTAMP] $1" | tee -a "$LOG_FILE"
}

# Function to get current reduce motion setting
get_reduce_motion_status() {
    local username=$1
    
    local motion_setting=$(su -l "$username" -c "defaults read com.apple.universalaccess reduceMotion 2>/dev/null")
    
    if [ -z "$motion_setting" ]; then
        echo "Not configured"
    else
        if [ "$motion_setting" = "1" ]; then
            echo "Enabled"
        else
            echo "Disabled"
        fi
    fi
}

# Function to configure reduce motion
set_reduce_motion() {
    local username=$1
    local enable=$2
    
    log_message "Setting reduce motion to: $enable for user: $username"
    
    # Get current status
    local current_status=$(get_reduce_motion_status "$username")
    log_message "Current reduce motion status: $current_status"
    
    # Apply setting
    if su -l "$username" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceMotion -bool $enable"; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: Reduce motion configured"
        
        # Verify setting
        local new_status=$(get_reduce_motion_status "$username")
        log_message "New reduce motion status: $new_status"
        
        return 0
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to configure reduce motion"
        return 1
    fi
}

# Main execution
log_message "Starting reduce motion configuration"

# Validate input
if [[ "$ENABLE_REDUCE_MOTION" != "true" && "$ENABLE_REDUCE_MOTION" != "false" ]]; then
    log_message "ERROR: Invalid value: $ENABLE_REDUCE_MOTION (must be true or false)"
    exit 1
fi

# Get current user
loggedInUser=$(ls -l /dev/console | awk '{ print $3 }')

if [ -z "$loggedInUser" ] || [ "$loggedInUser" = "root" ]; then
    log_message "ERROR: No valid user session found"
    exit 1
fi

log_message "Current user: $loggedInUser"

# Configure reduce motion
if set_reduce_motion "$loggedInUser" "$ENABLE_REDUCE_MOTION"; then
    log_message "Reduce motion configuration completed successfully"
    echo "✓ Reduce motion configured successfully"
    
    # Show explanation based on setting
    if [ "$ENABLE_REDUCE_MOTION" = "true" ]; then
        echo ""
        echo "Reduce Motion is now ENABLED:"
        echo "  - Interface animations are simplified"
        echo "  - Cross-fade effects replace complex animations"
        echo "  - Reduces potential motion sickness"
        echo "  - Improves performance on older hardware"
    else
        echo ""
        echo "Reduce Motion is now DISABLED:"
        echo "  - Full interface animations are restored"
        echo "  - Complex visual effects are enabled"
        echo "  - Standard macOS visual experience"
    fi
else
    log_message "Reduce motion configuration failed"
    exit 1
fi

Reduce Transparency Only

Script to manage only the reduce transparency setting:

#!/bin/bash

# Reduce transparency configuration script
LOG_FILE="/var/log/accessibility_settings.log"
TIMESTAMP=$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')

# Configuration
ENABLE_REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY=${1:-true}

# Function to log messages
log_message() {
    echo "[$TIMESTAMP] $1" | tee -a "$LOG_FILE"
}

# Function to get current reduce transparency setting
get_reduce_transparency_status() {
    local username=$1
    
    local transparency_setting=$(su -l "$username" -c "defaults read com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency 2>/dev/null")
    
    if [ -z "$transparency_setting" ]; then
        echo "Not configured"
    else
        if [ "$transparency_setting" = "1" ]; then
            echo "Enabled"
        else
            echo "Disabled"
        fi
    fi
}

# Function to configure reduce transparency
set_reduce_transparency() {
    local username=$1
    local enable=$2
    
    log_message "Setting reduce transparency to: $enable for user: $username"
    
    # Get current status
    local current_status=$(get_reduce_transparency_status "$username")
    log_message "Current reduce transparency status: $current_status"
    
    # Apply setting
    if su -l "$username" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool $enable"; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: Reduce transparency configured"
        
        # Verify setting
        local new_status=$(get_reduce_transparency_status "$username")
        log_message "New reduce transparency status: $new_status"
        
        return 0
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to configure reduce transparency"
        return 1
    fi
}

# Main execution
log_message "Starting reduce transparency configuration"

# Validate input
if [[ "$ENABLE_REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY" != "true" && "$ENABLE_REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY" != "false" ]]; then
    log_message "ERROR: Invalid value: $ENABLE_REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY (must be true or false)"
    exit 1
fi

# Get current user
loggedInUser=$(ls -l /dev/console | awk '{ print $3 }')

if [ -z "$loggedInUser" ] || [ "$loggedInUser" = "root" ]; then
    log_message "ERROR: No valid user session found"
    exit 1
fi

log_message "Current user: $loggedInUser"

# Configure reduce transparency
if set_reduce_transparency "$loggedInUser" "$ENABLE_REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY"; then
    log_message "Reduce transparency configuration completed successfully"
    echo "✓ Reduce transparency configured successfully"
    
    # Show explanation based on setting
    if [ "$ENABLE_REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY" = "true" ]; then
        echo ""
        echo "Reduce Transparency is now ENABLED:"
        echo "  - Semi-transparent elements become solid"
        echo "  - Dock, menu bar, and sidebars are opaque"
        echo "  - Improved readability and contrast"
        echo "  - Better performance on older hardware"
    else
        echo ""
        echo "Reduce Transparency is now DISABLED:"
        echo "  - Semi-transparent elements are restored"
        echo "  - Blur and transparency effects are enabled"
        echo "  - Standard macOS visual experience"
    fi
else
    log_message "Reduce transparency configuration failed"
    exit 1
fi

Comprehensive Accessibility Management

All-in-One Accessibility Script

Script to manage multiple accessibility settings:

#!/bin/bash

# Comprehensive accessibility configuration script
LOG_FILE="/var/log/accessibility_settings.log"
TIMESTAMP=$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')

# Configuration options
REDUCE_MOTION=${1:-true}
REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY=${2:-true}
INCREASE_CONTRAST=${3:-false}
DIFFERENTIATE_WITHOUT_COLOR=${4:-false}

# Function to log messages
log_message() {
    echo "[$TIMESTAMP] $1" | tee -a "$LOG_FILE"
}

# Function to get all accessibility settings
get_all_accessibility_settings() {
    local username=$1
    
    log_message "Getting all accessibility settings for user: $username"
    
    # Get various accessibility settings
    local motion=$(su -l "$username" -c "defaults read com.apple.universalaccess reduceMotion 2>/dev/null" || echo "Not set")
    local transparency=$(su -l "$username" -c "defaults read com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency 2>/dev/null" || echo "Not set")
    local contrast=$(su -l "$username" -c "defaults read com.apple.universalaccess increaseContrast 2>/dev/null" || echo "Not set")
    local diff_color=$(su -l "$username" -c "defaults read com.apple.universalaccess differentiateWithoutColor 2>/dev/null" || echo "Not set")
    
    echo "Current Accessibility Settings:"
    echo "================================"
    echo "  Reduce Motion: $motion"
    echo "  Reduce Transparency: $transparency"
    echo "  Increase Contrast: $contrast"
    echo "  Differentiate Without Color: $diff_color"
    echo ""
    
    log_message "Current settings - Motion: $motion, Transparency: $transparency, Contrast: $contrast, Color: $diff_color"
}

# Function to configure all accessibility settings
configure_all_accessibility() {
    local username=$1
    local motion=$2
    local transparency=$3
    local contrast=$4
    local diff_color=$5
    
    log_message "Configuring all accessibility settings for user: $username"
    
    local success=0
    
    # Configure reduce motion
    if su -l "$username" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceMotion -bool $motion"; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: Reduce motion set to $motion"
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to set reduce motion"
        success=1
    fi
    
    # Configure reduce transparency
    if su -l "$username" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool $transparency"; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: Reduce transparency set to $transparency"
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to set reduce transparency"
        success=1
    fi
    
    # Configure increase contrast
    if su -l "$username" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess increaseContrast -bool $contrast"; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: Increase contrast set to $contrast"
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to set increase contrast"
        success=1
    fi
    
    # Configure differentiate without color
    if su -l "$username" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess differentiateWithoutColor -bool $diff_color"; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: Differentiate without color set to $diff_color"
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to set differentiate without color"
        success=1
    fi
    
    return $success
}

# Function to create accessibility report
create_accessibility_report() {
    local username=$1
    local report_file="/tmp/accessibility_report_${username}.txt"
    
    log_message "Creating accessibility report for user: $username"
    
    {
        echo "Accessibility Configuration Report"
        echo "=================================="
        echo "User: $username"
        echo "Date: $(date)"
        echo ""
        echo "Configured Settings:"
        echo "  Reduce Motion: $REDUCE_MOTION"
        echo "  Reduce Transparency: $REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY"
        echo "  Increase Contrast: $INCREASE_CONTRAST"
        echo "  Differentiate Without Color: $DIFFERENTIATE_WITHOUT_COLOR"
        echo ""
        echo "Impact on User Experience:"
        echo "-------------------------"
        
        if [ "$REDUCE_MOTION" = "true" ]; then
            echo "• Reduced motion effects - smoother experience for motion-sensitive users"
        fi
        
        if [ "$REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY" = "true" ]; then
            echo "• Solid interface elements - improved readability and performance"
        fi
        
        if [ "$INCREASE_CONTRAST" = "true" ]; then
            echo "• Enhanced contrast - better visibility for users with visual impairments"
        fi
        
        if [ "$DIFFERENTIATE_WITHOUT_COLOR" = "true" ]; then
            echo "• Color-independent differentiation - accessibility for colorblind users"
        fi
        
        echo ""
        echo "System Performance:"
        echo "• Reduced GPU usage from disabled effects"
        echo "• Improved battery life on laptops"
        echo "• Better performance on older hardware"
        
    } > "$report_file"
    
    echo "Accessibility report created: $report_file"
    log_message "Accessibility report created: $report_file"
}

# Main execution
log_message "Starting comprehensive accessibility configuration"

# Validate inputs
for setting in "$REDUCE_MOTION" "$REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY" "$INCREASE_CONTRAST" "$DIFFERENTIATE_WITHOUT_COLOR"; do
    if [[ "$setting" != "true" && "$setting" != "false" ]]; then
        log_message "ERROR: Invalid setting value: $setting (must be true or false)"
        exit 1
    fi
done

# Get current user
loggedInUser=$(ls -l /dev/console | awk '{ print $3 }')

if [ -z "$loggedInUser" ] || [ "$loggedInUser" = "root" ]; then
    log_message "ERROR: No valid user session found"
    exit 1
fi

log_message "Current user: $loggedInUser"

# Show current settings
get_all_accessibility_settings "$loggedInUser"

# Configure all accessibility settings
if configure_all_accessibility "$loggedInUser" "$REDUCE_MOTION" "$REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY" "$INCREASE_CONTRAST" "$DIFFERENTIATE_WITHOUT_COLOR"; then
    log_message "All accessibility settings configured successfully"
    echo "✓ All accessibility settings configured successfully"
    
    # Create report
    create_accessibility_report "$loggedInUser"
    
    # Show new settings
    echo ""
    echo "Updated Settings:"
    get_all_accessibility_settings "$loggedInUser"
    
else
    log_message "Some accessibility settings failed to configure"
    echo "⚠ Some accessibility settings may not have been configured properly"
    exit 1
fi

log_message "Comprehensive accessibility configuration completed"

Enterprise Deployment Scripts

Multi-User Configuration

Script for configuring accessibility settings across multiple users:

#!/bin/bash

# Multi-user accessibility configuration script
LOG_FILE="/var/log/accessibility_deployment.log"
TIMESTAMP=$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')

# Configuration
REDUCE_MOTION=${1:-true}
REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY=${2:-true}
TARGET_USERS=${3:-"all"}  # "all" or comma-separated list of usernames

# Function to log messages
log_message() {
    echo "[$TIMESTAMP] $1" | tee -a "$LOG_FILE"
}

# Function to get all regular users
get_all_users() {
    # Get users with UID >= 500 (regular users)
    local users=$(dscl . -list /Users UniqueID | awk '$2 >= 500 && $2 < 65534 { print $1 }')
    echo "$users"
}

# Function to parse target users
parse_target_users() {
    local target=$1
    
    if [ "$target" = "all" ]; then
        get_all_users
    else
        echo "$target" | tr ',' '\n'
    fi
}

# Function to configure user accessibility
configure_user_accessibility() {
    local username=$1
    local motion=$2
    local transparency=$3
    
    log_message "Configuring accessibility for user: $username"
    
    # Check if user exists
    if ! id "$username" &>/dev/null; then
        log_message "WARNING: User $username does not exist"
        return 1
    fi
    
    # Check if user has home directory
    local home_dir=$(eval echo ~$username)
    if [ ! -d "$home_dir" ]; then
        log_message "WARNING: Home directory not found for user: $username"
        return 1
    fi
    
    # Configure settings
    local success=0
    
    if su -l "$username" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceMotion -bool $motion"; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: Reduce motion configured for $username"
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to configure reduce motion for $username"
        success=1
    fi
    
    if su -l "$username" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool $transparency"; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: Reduce transparency configured for $username"
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to configure reduce transparency for $username"
        success=1
    fi
    
    if [ $success -eq 0 ]; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: All accessibility settings configured for $username"
        return 0
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Some settings failed for $username"
        return 1
    fi
}

# Main execution
log_message "Starting multi-user accessibility deployment"

# Parse target users
target_users=$(parse_target_users "$TARGET_USERS")

if [ -z "$target_users" ]; then
    log_message "ERROR: No target users specified"
    exit 1
fi

log_message "Target users: $target_users"

# Configure each user
successful=0
failed=0

for user in $target_users; do
    echo "Configuring accessibility for user: $user"
    
    if configure_user_accessibility "$user" "$REDUCE_MOTION" "$REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY"; then
        echo "  ✓ Success"
        ((successful++))
    else
        echo "  ✗ Failed"
        ((failed++))
    fi
done

log_message "Multi-user deployment completed"
log_message "Successfully configured: $successful users"
log_message "Failed: $failed users"

echo ""
echo "Deployment Summary:"
echo "  Successfully configured: $successful users"
echo "  Failed: $failed users"
echo "  Log file: $LOG_FILE"

if [ $failed -gt 0 ]; then
    exit 1
fi

Remote Deployment Script

Script for deploying accessibility configurations remotely:

#!/bin/bash

# Remote accessibility deployment script
REMOTE_HOSTS=(
    "10.0.1.10"
    "10.0.1.11"
    "10.0.1.12"
    # Add more hosts as needed
)

SSH_USER="admin"
SSH_KEY_PATH="/path/to/ssh/key"
LOG_FILE="/var/log/remote_accessibility_deployment.log"

# Configuration
REDUCE_MOTION=true
REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY=true

# Function to log messages
log_message() {
    echo "$(date '+%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S') - $1" | tee -a "$LOG_FILE"
}

# Function to create deployment script
create_deployment_script() {
    local script_path="/tmp/accessibility_deploy.sh"
    
    cat > "$script_path" << 'EOF'
#!/bin/bash

# Remote accessibility configuration script
REDUCE_MOTION="$1"
REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY="$2"

# Get current user
loggedInUser=$(ls -l /dev/console | awk '{ print $3 }')

if [ -z "$loggedInUser" ] || [ "$loggedInUser" = "root" ]; then
    echo "Error: No valid user session found"
    exit 1
fi

echo "Configuring accessibility for user: $loggedInUser"

# Configure reduce motion
if su -l "$loggedInUser" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceMotion -bool $REDUCE_MOTION"; then
    echo "✓ Reduce motion configured"
else
    echo "✗ Failed to configure reduce motion"
    exit 1
fi

# Configure reduce transparency
if su -l "$loggedInUser" -c "defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool $REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY"; then
    echo "✓ Reduce transparency configured"
else
    echo "✗ Failed to configure reduce transparency"
    exit 1
fi

echo "Accessibility configuration completed successfully"
EOF

    chmod +x "$script_path"
    echo "$script_path"
}

# Function to deploy to remote host
deploy_to_host() {
    local host=$1
    local script_path=$2
    
    log_message "Deploying accessibility configuration to host: $host"
    
    # Copy script to remote host
    if scp -i "$SSH_KEY_PATH" -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no "$script_path" "$SSH_USER@$host:/tmp/accessibility_deploy.sh"; then
        log_message "Script copied to $host"
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to copy script to $host"
        return 1
    fi
    
    # Execute script on remote host
    if ssh -i "$SSH_KEY_PATH" -o StrictHostKeyChecking=no "$SSH_USER@$host" "sudo /tmp/accessibility_deploy.sh $REDUCE_MOTION $REDUCE_TRANSPARENCY"; then
        log_message "SUCCESS: Configuration applied on $host"
        return 0
    else
        log_message "ERROR: Failed to apply configuration on $host"
        return 1
    fi
}

# Main execution
log_message "Starting remote accessibility deployment"

# Create deployment script
script_path=$(create_deployment_script)
log_message "Created deployment script: $script_path"

successful=0
failed=0

for host in "${REMOTE_HOSTS[@]}"; do
    echo "Deploying to host: $host"
    
    if deploy_to_host "$host" "$script_path"; then
        echo "  ✓ Success"
        ((successful++))
    else
        echo "  ✗ Failed"
        ((failed++))
    fi
done

# Cleanup
rm -f "$script_path"

log_message "Remote deployment completed"
log_message "Successfully deployed: $successful hosts"
log_message "Failed: $failed hosts"

echo ""
echo "Remote Deployment Summary:"
echo "  Successfully deployed: $successful hosts"
echo "  Failed: $failed hosts"
echo "  Log file: $LOG_FILE"

if [ $failed -gt 0 ]; then
    exit 1
fi

Best Practices and Recommendations

1. Performance Considerations

• Monitor system performance before and after changes
• Consider the impact on older hardware
• Test settings on different Mac models
• Document performance improvements

2. User Experience

• Communicate changes to users beforehand
• Provide training on new interface behavior
• Offer opt-out options where appropriate
• Gather user feedback on accessibility improvements

3. Enterprise Management

• Standardize accessibility policies across devices
• Use configuration management tools for deployment
• Implement monitoring for setting compliance
• Maintain documentation of all customizations

4. Accessibility Compliance

• Ensure settings meet accessibility requirements
• Consider various types of disabilities
• Test with assistive technologies
• Follow WCAG guidelines where applicable

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Setting Not Applied

#!/bin/bash

# Troubleshoot accessibility settings
username=$(ls -l /dev/console | awk '{ print $3 }')

echo "Troubleshooting accessibility settings for user: $username"

# Check current settings
echo "Current settings:"
defaults read com.apple.universalaccess 2>/dev/null | grep -E "(reduceMotion|reduceTransparency)"

# Force refresh
killall Dock
killall SystemUIServer

echo "Interface refreshed"

Permission Issues

#!/bin/bash

# Fix permission issues
username=$(ls -l /dev/console | awk '{ print $3 }')
plist_path="/Users/$username/Library/Preferences/com.apple.universalaccess.plist"

echo "Fixing permissions for accessibility settings"

# Ensure proper ownership
chown "$username:staff" "$plist_path"

# Set proper permissions
chmod 644 "$plist_path"

echo "Permissions fixed"

Conclusion

Effective management of motion and transparency settings is crucial for creating accessible and performant Mac environments. The scripts and techniques provided in this guide offer comprehensive solutions for various accessibility configuration scenarios.

Key takeaways:

• Understand the impact of accessibility settings on user experience
• Use appropriate scripts for different deployment scenarios
• Implement proper testing and validation procedures
• Monitor system performance and user feedback
• Consider accessibility needs across your entire user base

Remember that accessibility settings significantly impact user experience, so always test changes thoroughly and consider providing users with options to customize their experience based on their individual needs.