Basic JAWS Screen Reading Keys
Reading of the screen is done by pressing keys on the numeric keypad (NUM PAD), sometimes in combination with other keys on the keyboard. When JAWS is loaded, the NUM LOCK is turned off, so that these keys represent movement keys, such as left arrow, right arrow, page up, and so on.
Read by Character
To begin reading with JAWS, put your middle three fingers on the numeric keypad, with your middle finger on the number 5, the one with the raised bump. Your pointer finger should be resting on the left arrow (NUM PAD 4) and your ring finger on the right arrow (NUM PAD 6).
- Press the NUM PAD 5 to speak the current character.
- Press the RIGHT ARROW to move and read the next character.
- Press the LEFT ARROW to move and read the prior character.
Read by Word
To read by words, tuck your thumb under and press down the Insert key (NUM PAD 0) while pressing any of the three keys above.
- Press INSERT+NUM PAD 5 to speak the current word at the cursor.
- Press INSERT+NUM PAD RIGHT ARROW to move to and speak the next word.
- Press INSERT+NUM PAD LEFT ARROW to move to and speak the prior word.
Read by Line
Press UP ARROW to move to and read the previous line, DOWN ARROW to move to and speak the next line, and INSERT+UP ARROW to read the current line. To read an entire document with one keystroke, press INSERT+DOWN ARROW. This last keystroke is called the “Say All” command, and is used frequently with JAWS.
Read Sentences
To move to and read the previous sentence, press ALT+UP ARROW. To move to and read the next sentence press ALT+DOWN ARROW. To read the current sentence, press ALT+NUM PAD 5.
Read Paragraphs
To move to and read the prior paragraph, press CTRL+UP ARROW. To move to and read the next paragraph press CTRL+DOWN ARROW. To read the current paragraph press CTRL+NUM PAD 5.
There are many other keystrokes used for reading with JAWS, but these are the basic ones most people use.
Navigating Flash with a screen reader
Jaws / Flash keyboard commands are as follows:
- insert + escape = update screen
- down arrow = read next item
- up arrow = read previous item
- insert + down arrow = read all
- right arrow = read next character
- left arrow = read previous character
- enter = activate link
WindowEyes / Flash keyboard commands are as follows:
- tab = next link
- control + tab = previous link
- down arrow = read next item
- up arrow = read previous item
- page down = read all
- page up = go to top
- right arrow = read previous character
- left arrow = read previous character
- enter = activate link button
- control + shift + A = toggle MSAA mode to update screen
Note that text-based browsers can not support Flash.