Screen Readers

On this page:

• • JAWS
  • NVDA
  • VoiceOver
  • TalkBack
  • ChromeVox

JAWS

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is the most popular screen reader software. JAWS is available only for Windows but allows almost every function of Windows to be performed with only the use of a keyboard and audio feedback. JAWS is a very expensive (~$1000USD) and complicated piece of software, but indispensable for blind or low-vision students. Download JAWS from Freedom Scientific.

This guide uses JAWS to indicate the modifier key, which could be either Caps Lock or Insert depending on user’s computer and keyboard layout.

This is not an extensive list of JAWS keystrokes.

Virtual Viewer

Press JAWS Alt W to open the virtual viewer of the current window. This provides all the text on screen in a line-by-line format that may be easier to navigate or review for messages or codes.

Press JAWS Shift V to open the virtual viewer of the current control, such as a popup or notification. This provides all the text in the in the current control in a line-by-line format that by easier to navigate or review for messages or codes.

Forms Mode

When navigating into a properly coded form (on the web, in a PDF) JAWS switches to Forms mode, a sound will play indicating the change. This mode disables many JAWS keystrokes so users can enter text into the form. If users need to enter forms mode press Enter when focused on a form field and press Number pad plus (which may be function ? on laptop keyboards) to exit forms mode.

PDFs

A properly tagged PDF can be navigated by a JAWS user just like they navigate a webpage using headings (press h), tables (press t), and links (press JAWS F7). PDFs can be awkward to read with JAWS. Try pressing Alt Tab until the PDF is focused and press JAWS b to begin reading the current window.

Convenient OCR

If JAWS indicates a PDF is empty, it likely means it is an inaccessible PDF (image of text). JAWS has a built in optical character recognition tool to extract text from an image and display it in a format readable by JAWS users. To use Convenient OCR:

1. Open a PDF
2. JAWS should indicate if the PDF is inaccessible and prompt users to use Convenient OCR. Tab to Yes and press Enter.
3. If JAWS does not prompt the user, or the dialogue is accidentally closed, press JAWS Spacebar, then o followed by d. This will start the Convenient OCR tool.
4. When the document is displayed in JAWS Virtual Viewer, press Tab to Open in Word and press Enter to view the document in Word.

PlaceMarkers

For frequently visited websites, users may consider using placemarkers for efficient navigation. Move to the place on the page users want to return to and press Control Shift k and then Enter on the Add button. When returning to the page, press k to cycle through placemarkers or press Control Shift k to see list of placemarkers.

Ignore next key press

When encountering something that should be keyboard navigable (for example instructions read “press left or right arrow to move through content) press JAWS 3 then left or right arrow. JAWS 3 tells JAWS to ignore the next key press and allows navigation of web content as if JAWS weren’t running.

General Windows Keyboard Commands

In addition to JAWs commands, there are some Windows keyboard shortcuts that may help users.

Control f to search in a webpage/document.

Alt Tab to move between open windows.

Windows d moves to desktop. From desktop Windows D moves focus back to previous window.

Windows t moves to taskbar. Windows and number opens/moves to that taskbar item.

Press Windows key and type to search computer.

Links

Freedom Scientific JAWS guide to web browsing

Freedom Scientific complete list of JAWS keystrokes

Web Accessibility in Mind Keyboard Shortcuts for JAWS

Deque University JAWS Keyboard Shortcuts

JAWS has a webpage for JAWS users to learn about and practice surfing the web.

Portland Community College has a helpful guide to navigating D2L with JAWS

Cracking the Code, Reading PDFs with JAWS

General screen reader shortcuts

NVDA

NVDA is a free and open-source screen reader. NVDA is available for Windows only. NVDA is second to JAWS in usage, but has many similar features. Download NVDA from nvaccess.org

The first time NVDA is started will prompt users to set various settings (auto start, user settings, etc.) and most importantly is the NVDA key. This guide will list NVDA as the modifier key, which will refer to whichever key the users chooses (Caps Lock, Insert, Numberpad Insert are available options).

General Windows Keyboard Commands

In addition to JAWs commands, there are some Windows keyboard shortcuts that may help users.

Control f to search in a webpage/document.

Alt Tab to move between open windows.

Windows d moves to desktop. From desktop Windows D moves focus back to previous window.

Windows t moves to taskbar. Windows and number opens/moves to that taskbar item.

Press Windows key and type to search computer.

Links

Web Access in Mind introduction to NVDA

Web Access in Mind list of NVDA keyboard shortcuts

A11y Project getting started with NVDA

NVDA official user guide

VoiceOver

*VoiceOver works best with Safari when browsing the internet.

Users may consider using VoiceOver Quick Nav that allow users to skip pressing the VO key combination. To enable this setting:

1. Navigate to System Settings
2. Choose Accessibility
3. Select VoiceOver
4. Select Open VoiceOver Utility…
5. Move to Commanders in sidebar
6. Move to the Quick Nav tab
7. Check Enable arrow-key Quick Nav and Enable single-key Quick Nav

Complete list of VoiceOver commands

VoiceOver User Guide

Getting started with macOS VoiceOver

WebAIM VoiceOver guide

VoiceOver on iPhone

To turn on VoiceOver:

1. Navigate to Settings
2. Choose Accessibility
3. Tap VoiceOver 
4. Toggle VoiceOver on
   1. Various settings are available. Select Speech and then Voice to set voice options.

Using VoiceOver:

VoiceOver has a practice area where you can try out different gestures and VoiceOver will announce the gesture and what action that gesture does.

1. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility.
2. With VoiceOver on select VoiceOver Practice.

• Tap anywhere on the screen to have item read aloud.
• Drag finger to move between items
• Swipe right to read next, swipe left to read previous
• Twist two fingers on screen to open rotor
  • Rotor allows users to navigate by headings, links, words, or other controls
  • Swipe up or down to navigate by chosen navigation type
• Tap on element to select, double tap to activate
• Tap with two fingers pauses VoiceOver
• Swipe up from bottom to return to Home, keep dragging up to go to App Switcher
  • Flick left or right with three fingers to move between apps
  • Flick three fingers up to close an app

Use Voice Control to interact with iPhone

AppleVis is a resource for blind and low visions users of Apple products.

TalkBack

TalkBack is the default screen reader for Android. To enable TalkBack:

1. Navigate to Settings > Accessibility.
2. Turn TalkBack on and toggle TalkBack shortcut to on.
   1. With the shortcut on, hold the up and down volume buttons to turn TalkBack on.
3. The first time TalkBack is turned on, a tutorial opens.

Using TalkBack:

• Swipe right to read next, swipe left to read previous.
• Tap on the screen to read a specific item.
  • Tap and drag to move reading focus around page.
• Double tap to select a link, use a button, or open a menu.
• Swipe down and up in one motion to cycle navigation options such as headings, controls, or links.
  • Swipe up or down to move between selected element.

TalkBack has a practice area where you can try out different gestures and TalkBack will announce the gesture and what action that gesture does. To use the practice tool:

1. Navigate to TalkBack.
2. Choose TalkBack Settings > Tutorial and help > Practice gestures.

TalkBack getting started guide.

ChromeVox (ChromeOS)

ChromeVox is the built-in screenreader on Chromebooks.

Toggle ChromeVox on or off by pressing Control Alt z.

To open ChromeVox menu press Search.

The ChromeVox menu includes menus for speech options and help as well as lists of headings, landmarks, links, form controls, and tables.

ChromeVox user guide.