Basic screen reader commands for accessibility testing

Updated 1st Feb 2016.

When you test your website with a screen reader there are a few basic commands you should know. Just remember not to make design decisions based only on your tests. Even with these useful screen reader commands, you won’t experience things in the same way as a person who uses a screen reader all the time.

There isn’t much information available about the platforms, devices and screen readers that people use. The best source of information we have is the WebAIM screen reader survey (last conducted in January 2014). It’s based on a very small sample of people, but it still provides a useful glimpse into the technologies used by blind or partially sighted people. This post focuses on four popular desktop screen readers: Jaws, Narrator, NVDA and VoiceOver.

Jaws

Jaws is a proprietary screen reader for Windows from Freedom Scientific. It can be installed on the desktop or run from a portable USB drive. A paid license is required.

Jaws browser support

Jaws officially supports Firefox and Internet Explorer.

Jaws commands

Jaws uses the Numpad Insert key to modify the behaviour of other keys on a desktop keyboard, or the Capslock key on a laptop keyboard. This is known as the Jaws key.

Note: Use the Shift key with the above commands to move to the previous instance of the element instead of the next. For example Shift + h moves to the previous heading.

Jaws further help

The Jaws user guide contains further information.

Narrator

Narrator is the integrated screen reader available in Windows. In Windows 10, turn Narrator on/off with Windows + Enter.

Narrator browser support

Narrator officially supports Internet Explorer and Edge.

Narrator commands

Narrator uses the Capslock key to modify the behaviour of other keys on a desktop or laptop keyboard. This is known as the Narrator key.

Note: Use the Shift key with the above commands to move to the previous instance of the element instead of the next. For example Shift + Capslock + j moves to the previous heading.

Narrator further help

The Windows keyboard shortcuts guide includes all available Narrator commands.

NVDA

NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access) is a free (open source) screen reader for Windows from NVAccess. It can be installed to the desktop or run from a portable USB drive.

NVDA browser support

NVDA officially supports Chrome, Firefox and Internet Explorer.

NVDA commands

NVDA uses the Numpad Insert key to modify the behaviour of other keys on a desktop keyboard, or the Capslock key on a laptop keyboard. This is known as the NVDA key.

Note: Use the Shift key with the above commands to move to the previous instance of the element instead of the next. For example Shift + Tab moves to the previous focusable element.

NVDA further information

The NVDA user guide has further information.

VoiceOver

VoiceOver is the integrated screen reader available in Mac OSX (and all Apple iDevices). In Mac OSX turn VoiceOver on/off with Command f5.

VoiceOver browser support

VoiceOver officially supports Safari.

VoiceOver commands

VoiceOver uses the Control + Option keys to modify the behaviour of other keys. This is known as the VoiceOver (VO) key.

Note: Use the Shift key with the above commands to move to the previous instance of the element instead of the next. For example VO + Command + Shift + x moves to the previous list.

VoiceOver further information

The VoiceOver users guide has further information.

There are a lot more key commands available for each screen reader. The commands in this post are not intended to be a comprehensive tutorial, but they will help you navigate a website to get a sense of how things work. If possible organise some usability testing with screen reader users (and people with other types of disability) to get a real understanding of how people experience your website.