Screen Reader Setup Guide

You've arrived at this page by opening it in a new tab yourself (using Command or Control + Enter), or by following the link that opened it in a new tab automatically for you, with the link marked (opens in a new tab). In order to return to the previous tab and the list of challenges in the Screen Reader Ropes Course, use your browser's standard keystroke of Control or Command + Tab to go to the next tab, or, more likely, Control or Command + Shift + Tab to move to the previous one. Move back and forth between this and the other tab right now so you begin forming the muscle memory on how to do that. If you've arrived at this page first, you can use this link to visit the main Screen Reader Ropes Course page. Then return here and set up your screen reader for success.

Screen Reader Setup

Setting up your screen reader just right can be a daunting task as you navigate through an array of settings that initially you probably won't understand, or have any opinion on what will make it easiest for you to get going with your screen reader. Our hope is that walking you through the setup on this page, we'll help you get it to a good, usable place, and introduce you to the various options that you can tweak for your own preferences, as you develop them.

As a first step, please choose your operating system and screen reader combination so we can tailor the steps to your particular setup.







Setting Up NVDA for Testing (Windows)

How to Access Settings

  • Press NVDA + N to open the NVDA menu.
  • Choose Preferences and then Settings...

Initial Configuration

  • Select the Latop keyboard layout. This ensures you never need to use a numberpad.Even if you have a numpad, the commands for it are a little less intuitive than the equivalent laptop commands, so plan on sticking with them for now.

Recommended NVDA Settings for Accessibility Testing

  • Speech rate: Adjust this so it is slightly faster than the default but still comfortable for you to process.
  • Punctuation level: Set this to "Some" to ensure you hear necessary structural punctuation without being overwhelmed by every character.

Optional but Helpful Settings

  • Beep for progress bar updates: Helps you understand when the page is still loading or performing an action.
  • Play sound cues for focus changes: Provides an auditory "ping" when the focus moves to a new element.

Essential NVDA Commands

  • Ctrl + Alt + N: Launch NVDA (if enabled during setup).
  • NVDA + N: Open the NVDA menu.
  • NVDA + Q: Quit NVDA.

Setting Up Narrator for Testing (Windows)

How to Access Settings

  • Press Windows + Ctrl + N at any time to open Narrator Settings directly.

Initial Configuration

  • Narrator Key: Ensure both Caps Lock and Insert are enabled as the Narrator key.

Recommended Settings

  • Verbosity: Set to Level 3 (All control details). This ensures you hear roles and states for all elements.
  • Punctuation: Set to "Some".
  • Contextual reading: Set to "Read immediate context" to avoid long repetitive descriptions when navigating.

Essential Commands

  • Windows + Ctrl + Enter: Toggle Narrator on/off.
  • Narrator + 1: Toggle input learning (useful to check which keys do what).
  • Narrator + Ctrl + F: Find in page.

Setting Up JAWS for Testing (Windows)

How to Access Settings

  • Press Insert + J to bring up the JAWS application window.
  • Press Alt + O to open the Options menu, then choose Basics...
  • For deep technical settings, press Insert + 6 to open the Settings Center.

Initial Configuration

  • Keyboard Layout: Select Desktop or Laptop depending on your machine. Note: This changes the primary "JAWS Key."

Settings Center Recommendations

  • Speech Rate: Use Ctrl + Alt + Win + Page Down to slow it down or Page Up to speed it up.
  • Punctuation: Set to Some.
  • Smart Navigation: For testing, it is often best to set this to Off to ensure you are hearing the page as it is coded, not as JAWS "interprets" it.

Essential Commands

  • Insert + F7: List all links.
  • Insert + F6: List all headings.
  • Insert + Space then S: Toggle Screen Echo (to view what is being said).

Setting Up VoiceOver for Testing (Mac)

đź’ˇ Pro-Tip for Function Keys: If your F8 key is mapped to media controls and the Fn key is acting up, the easiest way to open settings is via Spotlight:
Press Command + Space and type "VoiceOver Utility", then press Enter.

How to Access Settings

  • The standard shortcut is VO (Control + Option) + Fn + F8.
  • Alternatively, go to System Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver and click Open VoiceOver Utility.

Modifier Keys & Ergonomics

  • VO Modifier key: In the General tab, choose between Control + Option or Caps Lock.
    • One-Handed Tip: If you prefer using your thumb to chord Control + Option simultaneously, stick with the default keys. If you prefer a single-finger toggle, enable Caps Lock.
  • VO Lock: To avoid holding down multiple keys for every command, press VO + ; (Semicolon) to lock the modifier keys "on."
    • If Caps Lock is your VO key, you can also lock/unlock the modifier simply by **double-pressing Caps Lock**.

Verbosity

  • Speech: Set to Medium.
  • Text (Punctuation): Set to Some.
  • Hints: Enabling these is useful while you are learning, though you may wish to disable them later.

Speech

  • Voice: Choose a voice that is easy for you to understand.
  • Rate: Increase the rate slightly faster than the default.

Commanders

  • Trackpad: Enable this. It allows you to use gestures and toggle the "Screen Curtain."
    "If you’re not practicing with your screen off, you’re not really practicing." — Kosi Asabere
  • Quick Nav: Enable all options. Ensure Single-key navigation is enabled.

VoiceOver Recognition

  • Status: Ensure this is Disabled to test the raw code accuracy.

Setting Up VoiceOver for Testing (iOS)

How to Access Settings

  • Open the Settings app.
  • Navigate to Accessibility and then VoiceOver.

Accessibility Shortcut

  • Go to Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut and select VoiceOver. Now you can triple-click the Side button (or Home button) to toggle it.

Rotor Configuration

  • Go to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Rotor.
  • Ensure the following are checked: Headings, Links, Form Controls, Landmarks, and Images. This allows you to "twist" your fingers on the screen to navigate by these types.

Recommended Settings

  • Speaking Rate: Adjust the slider to a speed that feels efficient but clear.
  • Typing Feedback: Set to Characters and Words while learning to confirm your inputs.

Setting Up TalkBack for Testing (Android)

How to Access Settings

  • Open the device Settings.
  • Go to Accessibility, then TalkBack, and tap Settings.
  • Shortcut: Swipe up then right to open the TalkBack menu, then select TalkBack Settings.

Accessibility Shortcut

  • Go to Settings > Accessibility > TalkBack and enable the TalkBack shortcut (usually holding both Volume keys for 3 seconds).

Customize Menus

  • Go to TalkBack settings > Customize menus > Customize reading controls.
  • Check: Headings, Links, Controls, and Landmarks. This lets you swipe up or down with three fingers to change how you navigate.

Recommended Settings

  • Speech Rate: Adjust in TalkBack settings or via the reading control swipe gesture.
  • Verbosity: Choose "High" for testing to ensure all element details are announced.