Introduction

It is important to assess the accessibility of Web content with a screen reader, but screen readers can be very complicated software to handle for casual users. Therefore, many people avoid them. This should not be the case. While screen readers are complicated, it is possible to evaluate the accessibility of Web content without being an "advanced user".

. This document is designed to help users who are new to using JAWS to learn the basic commands to perform the evaluation tests of Web content and to serve as a reference to the casual user of JAWS. By reading this document, keep in mind the following:

• devraient connaître. This is not an exhaustive list of keyboard shortcuts JAWS but a list of basic commands that the new JAWS users should know. . For a more complete list of keyboard shortcuts, see the Keyboard Shortcuts for JAWS screen reader or document Freedom Scientific's extensive list of shortcuts .
• If you are new to accessibility, you should probably start by reading the document Introduction to web accessibility that will give you an overview of how blind people surf the Web.
• If you are a new user screen readers, plan to spend some time (perhaps several hours) to this page and the pages of examples before being more comfortable with JAWS. Do not be discouraged after a few minutes. Take your time to read.
• It's always easier to use JAWS on a standard keyboard. There are other combinations to know if you use a laptop keyboard, but this document does not address this point.
• You should always assess the accessibility of your web content with people with different disabilities, including with different users using screen readers, before you commit your development decisions.

Prepare

pendant 40 minutes et cela sans aucune restriction. You can download a demo version of JAWS that allows you to use JAWS for 40 minutes and this without any restrictions. . At the end of 40 minutes, you must restart your computer (not just restart JAWS) you wish to continue your evaluation with JAWS.

When you use JAWS, keep the following in mind:

• While JAWS provides access to the Windows and most Windows applications, this document relates only to Web content.
• Make sure the "Keypad" is not enabled.
• Instead, use JAWS with Internet Explorer even if it is not your normal web browser.
• Increase the maximum size of your web browser.
• Remember that users of screen readers do not use a mouse. Once you become more comfortable with JAWS, try using only the keyboard.
• Keep in mind that most of Internet Explorer keyboard shortcuts still work when using JAWS.
• The page can not scroll normally, which can cause the web content read by JAWS is not visible on the screen.

Reading

Most basic functions of a screen reader is to read the contents of the page displayed on the screen. There are dozens of keyboard shortcuts that let you play content by line, sentence, word, character, etc.. The following is a list of essential keystrokes. With these shortcuts, you should be able to browse through all content.

• Insert + : Reads the entire contents from the cursor
• : augmente/diminue la vitesse de la voix de synthèse (pendant une lecture) Page Up / Page Down: Increase / decrease the speed of the voice synthesis (for reading)
• Ctrl: stop reading
• Insert + : Reads the current line
• Insert + / : Plays the previous / next word
• : Plays the previous line
• : Reads the next line
• / :
  • reads the character previous / next
  • rewind / fast forward (skip) during the current playback
• + F5 – rafraîchissement de la page / rechargement de la page (si vous vous trompez, c'est la manière de recommencer) F5 / Shift + F5 - page refresh / reload the page (if you're wrong, it's how to start)

It is advisable to start practicing by reading the contents of this page with a screen reader. Keep in mind that there is a link at the top of this page to jump to main content (read the "Skip Navigation" Links ).

Navigation

Sighted users browse Web content in different ways. They identify headings, lists, tables, etc.. Most of these methods are available for users of screen reader if the site is well structured and well organized. + Tab . To navigate forward and backward through links and form elements on the page, use the Tab and Shift + Tab. Other shortcuts are listed below.

To practice the playback controls and navigation, try refreshing this page and navigate to this paragraph. There are several ways to do it: go to summary and click on the link from this paragraph, and then begin reading or browsing by phrases (Alt + / ), par lignes ( ), For paragraph headings (T), lists (L), lines ( / ), By words (Insert + / ).

Images

Each image on a page must have a text alternative (read the Appropriate Use of Alternative Text ). If an image has no text alternative, a screen reader will generally ignore it, but its behavior may vary depending on its function.

JAWS training exercise with images

Data Tables

There are two primary uses for spreadsheets on the Web for the layout (see the document Creating Accessible Tables: layout tables ) and to organize data (read the document Creating Accessible Tables: data tables ). For simple data tables, using the tag th will make information more understandable. Although most modern screen readers can usually determine the headers of simple data tables, which is in no way a guarantee of accessibility, you should always use the headers of tables appropriately . Screen readers still rely on the headers to navigate through more complex tables.

To go to a table, press the Y key. et utilisez To navigate between the cells, press Ctrl + Alt and use / / / + 5 (sur le Pavé Numérique) lira les en-tête de ligne et/ou de colonne pour la celulle courante. to move from cell to cell. Ctrl + Alt + 5 (on the numeric keypad) will read the header line and / or column for the current celulle.

Training exercise on the tables with JAWS

Forms

Forms are used to interact with the user on the web (read the document Creating Accessible Forms ). They allow the user to search content, select and purchase products, respond to surveys and questionnaires, to register for courses, etc.. There are three main things to do to make forms more accessible to users of screen readers:

1. Use the tag label to explicitly associate a field with its title. If a field does not have a tag label associated with a screen reader can try to determine its title with the reading of adjacent text.
2. Use the tag fieldset (read paragraph Group related form elements using the fieldset element ) to group form elements into information areas. This includes usually live check boxes and radio buttons.
3. Avoid menus JavaScript jump menu .

Use the following keyboard shortcuts to navigate and control forms:

• When you access a form field, press Enter to enter forms mode.
• + Tab pour naviguer à l'intérieur du formulaire de champ en champ. Once you are in Form view, use the Tab and Shift + Tab to navigate within the form field to field.
• Type your text, password, etc.. Hot keys are not active when you are about to type text into a form field.
• Use the spacebar to select and deselect the check boxes.
• Use keyboard shortcuts / to select a radio button.
• Use keyboard shortcuts / or the first letter to select an item from a drop-down list.
• To exit the form, press the + Keypad.
• JAWS automatically exits the form when you press the Enter key to send the form, go to another page or select a button.

Training exercise with JAWS on forms

Training

• Read pages of documents on this site, paragraph by paragraph. At the end of each paragraph, return to the top of the page and go to another paragraph in different ways. For example:
  • Use the summary
  • pour ouvrir la boîte de recherche Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F to open the search box
  • Browse titles of paragraphs (or the T key or keys 1 to 3)
• There are several elements in the page WebAIM that are visually hidden but are present in the code to assist users of screen readers. Verify that you can identify them (hint: a hidden element is placed just before the main content and the other is placed just after).
• Subscribe to the WebAIM Newsletter without using your mouse (hint: there is a link on the page).
• Turn off your computer screen and repeat these tasks.