Accessible Electronic Content > Screen Readers

   Instructions for Screen Readers

(For use with JAWS 3.7 (or later) and Internet Explorer)

This tutorial is designed as a quick reference to help you navigate through various documents, forms and/or tables that you may run across within the context of your studies. Note what version of JAWS and Internet Explorer you presently have installed on your computer. The version you are using will make a difference in your navigation ability. Included within the "Standard Navigation Keystroke" section you will find Window, JAWS Desktop and JAWS Laptop keystrokes -- dependent upon which type of computer you presently have set up. The best possible navigation is a combination of both the Window and JAWS keystrokes -- dependent upon which works better and dependent upon your preferences.

Standard Navigation Keystrokes

Windows

JAWS Desktop

JAWS Laptop

Forms

Forms are a great way of gathering test information or they may be used when entering information during application procedures. A Web page form can accept input by allowing a user to type text or click radio button, checkboxes or labeled buttons to make selections.

Here are the Navigational Keystrokes (to be used in conjunction with the Standard Navigation Keystrokes) for use within a form:

As mentioned previously, Forms can appear in a variety of formats. Listed below are a few that you will run across and how to navigate within them:

Single-line text entries

You will find this used when a short answer is required within an "edit" box. First, you will hear the question and then the word "edit". Hit the ENTER key and this will place you within the edit box where you can type your answer. Upon hitting the ENTER key, you will hear "Form Mode On."

NOTE: you can now just hit the TAB key and move from edit box with the forms mode BUT many times the authoring has skipped over the reading of the next question. If you hit ENTER and all you hear is "edit" without a question, then simply SHIFT TAB back to the first "edit" box and hit the NUM PAD + to turn Forms Mode off.

Checkboxes and Radio-buttons

Multiple Choice answers commonly are made in the form of checkboxes and radio-buttons. Here, you are asked to choose one item or answer from a list. The checkboxes and radio buttons are generally separate from the answers and whether using the TAB keys or ARROW keys, they are read as separate entity and once you hit the TAB or ARROW again, you will then hear the answer that accompanies it. Use the ARROW keys to listen to all the answers, choose the one you think best fits the question THEN ARROW back to the checkbox or radio-button in front of the answer and hit ENTER.

AGAIN, upon hitting the ENTER key, you will hear "Form Mode On," so you will need to hit the NUM PAD + to turn Forms Mode off.

Pull-Down Menus and Scroll Boxes

To avoid cluttering a form a developer may use pull-down menus or scroll boxes. You may have to hit ENTER to gain access, but usually you are already within the pull-down menu. Use your UP and DOWN ARROWS to make your selection. Then hit ENTER to register that answer.

NOTE: You may find that using your UP and DOWN ARROWS do not allow the "reading" of the scroll box or pull-down menu. Here, you use the CTRL plus DOWN ARROW keystroke to hear the items to select.

Multi-line Text Areas

More commonly used when an essay question or detailed answer is required within an "edit" box. First, you will hear the question and then the word "edit". Hit the ENTER key and this will place you within the edit box where you can type your answer. Upon hitting the ENTER key, you will hear "Form Mode On."

NOTE: you can now just hit the TAB key and move from edit box with the forms mode BUT many times the authoring has skipped over the reading of the next question. If you hit ENTER and all you hear is "edit" without a question, then simply SHIFT TAB back to the first "edit" box and hit the NUM PAD + to turn Forms Mode off.

Push Buttons with Preset Functions

Once you have made your selections, filled in your short answers and completed you essay answers, it is now time to submit your work. You will find a single button labeled SUBMIT at the end of the test or form. Simply ARROW or TAB until you hear "submit" and then hit ENTER to finish.

Tables

Tables are usually used so that a student can "see" what possibilities occur in conjunction with column and row headings pertaining to a certain subject. Once an active page is displayed you may find one or more tables imbedded within the page. The following are some helpful navigational keystrokes to use when working with tables. You will find Tables in most applications, so you can use either the keystrokes used with that application or use the following standard keystrokes

NOTE: These keystrokes will read the contents of the cell and its row and column coordinates.

© 2002, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ITS.
Last revised: March 5, 2004.