Compiled by Ross Diamond of the University Libraries
When using JAWS in Internet Explorer you need to be able to navigate web pages using key strokes in order to get content from the website. The following descriptions are ways you can use JAWS to navigate your webpage to see how accessible/inaccessible it is.
Here is a list of commands for JAWS 4.02 with keystrokes have been tested for Internet Explorer 6.
Note: The "+" symbol means to press the keys simultaneoulsy.
- Browser Navigation Function
- Basic Reading Commands
- Headings Mode
- Links Mode
- Tables Mode
- Forms Mode
- Frames Mode
- Links - Some pages may include extra or alternative commands
These are JAWS equivalents for toolbar functions which navigate between Websites.
Note: JAWS has a Virtual P.C. Cursor feature. When it is on, the user can the arrow keys to read normally un-readable text, such as the top bar of a program or shortcuts.
JAWS commands for browser functions Function Keystrokes Select (move cursor to) the Address bar ALT+D Read the U.R.L. in the Address bar INSERT+A Back to Previous Page BACKSPACE or
ALT+LEFT ARROWForward to Next Page ALT+RIGHT ARROW Refresh the Screen (see note 1 below) INSERT+F5 List Tool bar Buttons INSERT+F8 Virtual PC Cursor Toggle (see note 2) INSERT+Z
Refreshing the Screen - If the virtual cursor is active, and screen tracking for the virtual cursor is off, this brings the area of the screen with the virtual cursor in it into view. Using just F5 is an Internet Explorer keystroke, which will refresh the screen.
Virtual PC Cursor Toggle - JAWS has a Virtual P.C. Cursor feature. When it is on, the user can the arrow keys to read normally un-readable text, such as the top bar of a program or shortcuts.The INSERT+Z command toggles the virtual cursor on and off. When in a Web document, this command toggles between the classic style interface and the Virtual PC cursor interface.
These are JAWS commands which facilitate reading generic text on a Web page.
Function Keystrokes Pause the screen reader CONTROL Resume the screen reader INSERT+DOWN ARROW Return to Top of Page CONTROL+HOME Say All Mode (read the entire page) INSERT+DOWN ARROW
Function Keystrokes Say the Current Line INSERT+UP ARROW Say the Prior Line UP ARROW Say the Next Line DOWN ARROW Say the Current Sentence ALT+NUM PAD 5 Say the Prior Sentence ALT+UP ARROW Say the Next Sentence ALT+DOWN ARROW Say the Current Word INSERT+NUM PAD 5 Say the Prior Word INSERT+ LEFT ARROW Say the Next Word INSERT+RIGHT ARROW Say the Current Character NUM PAD 5 Say the Prior Character LEFT ARROW Say the Next Character RIGHT ARROW
If SAY ALL Mode Selected Function Keystrokes Decrease Voice Rate PAGE UP Increase Voice Rate PAGE DOWN Restore Voice Rate settings INSERT+ESCAPE
If SAY ALL Mode is NOT Selected Function Keystrokes Decrease Voice Rate ALT+CONTROL+PAGE UP Increase Voice Rate ALT+CONTROL+PAGE DOWN
This mode allows JAWS to list and navigating between different levels of H Tags such as H1 and H2. Web pages which encode pages sections as H1, H2 and H3 are often more accessible.
Function Keystrokes List Headings on a Page INSERT+F6 Select Headings Use ARROW keys or the first letter of the desired heading, then press ENTER Say the Next Heading CONTROL+INSERT+ENTER Say the Prior Heading SHIFT+CONTROL+INSERT+ENTER Say the First Heading ALT+INSERT+HOME Say the Last Heading ALT+ INSERT+END Say the Next H1 ALT+INSERT+1 (use ALT+INSERT+2 for H2) Say the Prior H1 SHIFT+ALT+INSERT+1
(use SHIFT+ALT+INSERT+2 for H2)Say the First H1 ALT+CONTROL+INSERT+1
(use ALT+CONTROL+INSERT+2 for H2)Say the Last H1 SHIFT+ALT+CONTROL+INSERT+1
(use SHIFT+ ALT+CONTROL+INSERT+2 for H2)
The Next H1 through Last H1 commands are parallelled for H2 through H6, with a change in the H tag number. For instance, if you wanted to read the Next H3, you would input ALT+INSERT+3; if you wanted to read the Next H4, you would input ALT+INSERT+4.
This allows JAWS to move quickly between links.
Function Keystrokes Read List of Links INSERT+F7 Say the Current Link INSERT+TAB Say the Next Link TAB Say the Prior Link SHIFT+TAB Move to Non Link Text INSERT+ENTER
List of Links – this compiles a list of links that are on the page and allows the user to scroll through them.
Move to Non Link Text – this moves the focus to the next block of non-link text larger than 25 characters.
These commands allow users to read columns and rows for data tables more easily.
Function Keystrokes Move to the Next Table Press the T Key, or
ALT+CTRL+ENTERMove to the Prior Table Press the SHIFT+T Keys or
SHIFT+ALT+CTRL+ENTERSay the Current Row Press the R Key or
WINDOWS KEY+NUM PAD 5Say the Current Column Press the C Key Say the Next Row WINDOWS KEY+DOWN ARROW Say the Current Row Press the R Key or
WINDOWS KEY+NUM PAD 5Say the Prior Row WINDOWS KEY+UP ARROW Say the Current Cell Coordinates ALT+CONTROL+NUM PAD 5 Say the Cell to the Left ALT+CONTROL+LEFT ARROW Say the Cell to the Right ALT+CONTROL+RIGHT ARROW Say the Cell Above ALT+CONTROL+UP ARROW Say the Cell Below ALT+CONTROL+DOWN ARROW Say the First Cell ALT+CONTROL+HOME Say the Last Cell ALT+CONTROL+END
This mode allows JAWS to navigate and read input fields.
Note that the "Focus" commands moves the cursor to the field and reads it. If no form field is found, JAWS reports, "Input field not found." Most Focus keystrokes are only available in Virtual PC cursor mode; the exception is "Focus on First Field."
Function Keystrokes Activate Forms Mode NUM PAD SLASH or ENTER Move to Next Field TAB Move to Prior Field SHIFT+TAB Focus to First Field CONTROL+INSERT+HOME Focus to Last Field CONTROL+INSERT+END Focus to Next Field CONTROL+INSERT+TAB Focus to Prior Field SHIFT+CONTROL+INSERT+TAB
To select a frame, press INSERT+F9. This displays a dialog containing a list of the frames present in the page. Select a frame from the list and press ENTER. The focus moves to the frame you selected and speaks its content.
Function Keystrokes Select a Frame NUM PAD SLASH or ENTER Move to Next Frame CONTROL+TAB Move to Prior Frame SHIFT+CONTROL+TAB
JAWS is one of the most commonly used screen reader programs. It not only reads Web sites, but reads all text within the Windows system (application menus, document text, help screens, and so forth).
Site Menu:
Home Page/Main Menu
| Section 508 Guidelines
| Quick Checklist
| Details by Tag
| Links
| I.T.S. Seminar Page
| Sitemap
©1999-2006 Pennsylvania State University.
This Web page is hosted by (by Teaching and Learning with Technology, a unit of Information Technology Services. Please contact the Webmaster if you have any questions.