Accessibility Shortcuts Guide for Screen Readers and Browsers
Introduction
Navigating the web using screen readers can be significantly enhanced through the use of keyboard shortcuts. This guide provides a quick reference for essential screen reader shortcuts, as well as accessibility features in popular web browsers. Whether you are using JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, or a specific browser, these shortcuts will improve your web browsing experience.
Recommended Browsers
Screen readers perform optimally when used with compatible browsers:
JAWS works well with Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Internet Explorer
Historically, JAWS has worked best with Internet Explorer, and that combination still works well, but Internet Explorer is old and will never be updated with new features, so it is best to migrate to newer browsers.
NVDA works well with Firefox, Chrome, and Edge.
Narrator works best with Microsoft Edge
VoiceOver works best with Safari
Screen Reader Shortcuts
JAWS (Job Access With Speech)
Basic Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next item | Down Arrow |
Previous item | Up Arrow |
Next focusable item | Tab |
Previous focusable item | Shift + Tab |
Read current item | Insert + Up Arrow |
Heading Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next heading | H |
Previous heading | Shift + H |
Next heading at level 1-6 | 1 to 6 |
Previous heading at level 1-6 | Shift + 1 to Shift + 6 |
Link Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next link | U |
Previous link | Shift + U |
List of links | Insert + F7 |
Form Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next form field | F |
Previous form field | Shift + F |
Next button | B |
Previous button | Shift + B |
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)
Basic Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next item | Down Arrow |
Previous item | Up Arrow |
Next focusable item | Tab |
Previous focusable item | Shift + Tab |
Read current item | Numpad / Fn + 8 |
Heading Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next heading | H |
Previous heading | Shift + H |
Next heading at level 1-6 | 1 to 6 |
Previous heading at level 1-6 | Shift + 1 to Shift + 6 |
Link Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next link | K |
Previous link | Shift + K |
List of links | Insert + F7 |
Form Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next form field | F |
Previous form field | Shift + F |
Next button | B |
Previous button | Shift + B |
VoiceOver (macOS)
Basic Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next item | Control + Option + Right Arrow |
Previous item | Control + Option + Left Arrow |
Next focusable item | Tab |
Previous focusable item | Shift + Tab |
Read current item | Control + Option + A |
Heading Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next heading | Control + Option + Command + H |
Previous heading | Control + Option + Command + Shift + H |
Find next heading of same level | Control + Option + Command + Shift + M |
Link Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next link | Control + Option + Command + L |
Previous link | Control + Option + Command + Shift + L |
List of links | Control + Option + U, then select Links |
Form Navigation | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Next form field | Control + Option + Command + J |
Previous form field | Control + Option + Command + Shift + J |
Next button | Control + Option + Command + B |
Previous button | Control + Option + Command + Shift + B |
Screen Reader Shortcuts
In addition to screen reader shortcuts, popular web browsers offer built-in accessibility features to enhance your browsing experience. Here are some key accessibility settings available in major browsers:
JAWS (Job Access With Speech)
Google Chrome | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Zoom in | Ctrl + Plus (+) (Windows/Linux) or Command + Plus (+) (Mac) |
Zoom out | Ctrl + Minus (-) (Windows/Linux) or Command + Minus (-)(Mac) |
Reset zoom | Ctrl + 0 (Windows/Linux) or Command + 0 (Mac) |
Toggle high contrast mode | Use the High Contrast extension from the Chrome Web Store |
Enable accessibility settings | Go to Settings > Advanced > Accessibility |
Mozilla Firefox | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Zoom in | Ctrl + Plus (+)(Windows/Linux) or Command + Plus (+)(Mac) |
Zoom out | Ctrl + Minus (-) (Windows/Linux) or Command + Minus (-) (Mac) |
Reset zoom | Ctrl + 0 (Windows/Linux) or Command + 0 (Mac) |
Toggle high contrast mode | Go to Settings > Language and Appearance > Colors |
Enable accessibility settings | Go to Settings > Accessibility |
Microsoft Edge | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Zoom in | Ctrl + Plus (+) |
Zoom out | Ctrl + Minus (-) |
Reset zoom | Ctrl + 0 |
Toggle high contrast mode | Go to Settings > Accessibility > High contrast |
Enable accessibility settings | Go to Settings > Accessibility |
Safari | Shortcut Keys |
---|---|
Zoom in | Command + Plus (+) |
Zoom out | Command + Minus (-) |
Reset zoom | Command + 0 |
Toggle high contrast mode | Use the Accessibility settings in System Preferences |
Enable accessibility settings | Go to Preferences > Advanced > Accessibility |
Conclusion
This guide offers a brief overview of essential keyboard shortcuts for popular screen readers and browsers. Utilizing these shortcuts and accessibility settings can make web browsing more accessible and efficient. For a more comprehensive list of shortcuts, please refer to the official documentation of your screen reader and browser.
For further assistance or accessibility support, feel free to contact EcomBack’s customer service team.
By providing this guide on EcomBack’s website, you can empower users with disabilities to navigate the web more effectively and ensure that your content is accessible to everyone.