Before starting the exercises, you'll need a screen reader. Choose the
appropriate one for your operating system:
macOS: VoiceOver
VoiceOver comes pre-installed on all Mac computers.
-
Press Command + F5 to turn VoiceOver on/off
- Go to System Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver
Essential Commands
-
Control + Option + U: Open Web
Rotor (for navigating headings, links, etc.)
-
Control + Option + →: Next item
-
Control + Option + H: Next
heading
-
Control + Option + Space: Click
current item
Windows: NVDA
NVDA is a free, open-source screen reader for Windows.
-
Download NVDA from
nvaccess.org
- Run the installer and follow the setup wizard
Essential Commands
-
Insert + Space: Toggle browse/focus mode
- H: Jump to next heading (in browse mode)
- Tab: Next focusable element
-
Insert + Down Arrow: Start reading from
current position
Linux: Orca
Orca is the default screen reader for GNOME-based Linux
distributions.
-
Open Terminal and type:
sudo apt-get install orca (Ubuntu/Debian)
-
Launch Orca: Super + Alt + O
Essential Commands
-
Orca Modifier + ;: Enter/leave table
navigation
- Orca Modifier + H: Next heading
- Orca Modifier + L: Next link
-
Orca Modifier + Space: Click current item
Browser Extension: ChromeVox
If you prefer not to install a system-wide screen reader, ChromeVox
is a good alternative that works directly in Chrome.
-
Install
ChromeVox from the Chrome Web Store
-
After installation, click the ChromeVox icon in your extensions
bar to enable it
Essential Commands
- Search + H: Next heading
- Search + L: Next link
- Search + →: Next item
- Search + Return: Click current item
Tips for Getting Started
-
Start with headings navigation - it's the easiest way to
understand page structure
-
Practice tabbing through interactive elements to understand focus
order
-
Try reading a few paragraphs continuously to get used to the voice
- Don't get discouraged! Screen readers take time to master
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