User Experience on Microsoft Edge through JAWS

What are Web Browsers?

Web browsers are your gateway to the internet. They help you access web pages, read HTML documents, and even explore local intranet sites. But browsers do a lot more than just display content! Here’s what they can do:

When it comes to using JAWS (Job Access With Speech), it works best with the latest versions of:

JAWS offers consistent features across these browsers, so you can pick the one you like best!

How JAWS Helps You Browse

When you’re browsing with JAWS, you get:

JAWS uses HTML, which is designed to be accessible, so it supports a wide range of accessibility features.

Using the Virtual Cursor

The Virtual Cursor lets you read web pages like a document. It’s also handy in other applications, including:

Getting Started with Your Browser

When you open your browser, your home page loads automatically. If you haven’t set one, you can:

Once you’re on a page, JAWS announces the title and the number of links, headings, and regions. Then it starts reading the content from top to bottom. To navigate, use:

You can also use commands to read by word, line, sentence, or paragraph just like in a word processor.

Navigating Links

When JAWS finds a link, it will say “link.” To follow one, just press ENTER while on it.

Web Page Elements

Web page elements help shape the structure and presentation of content online, and JAWS interacts with these elements to help you access what you need. You’ll often come across a few key types of elements like links, paragraphs, headings, lists (both numbered and bulleted), tables, regions, images, and various form controls like radio buttons, edit fields, check boxes, combo boxes, list boxes, and buttons.

To make navigating easier, JAWS offers handy Navigation Quick Keys. With just a single keystroke, you can jump straight to specific elements on a page. For instance, pressing T takes you to tables, F for form controls, and H for headings. If you want to move back to the previous element of that type, just add the SHIFT key.

Think of how a sighted user scans headings visually to find what they need. JAWS allows you to do something similar. By pressing H, you can quickly scroll through all the headings on a page until you find the one you’re looking for, then use the ARROW keys to read the text.

When it comes to viewing lists of elements, JAWS can compile everything from paragraphs to links, headings, and form fields. You can easily access this by pressing INSERT+F3 to open the Virtual HTML Features dialog. This tool lets you choose from different lists based on the types of elements present on the page. Once you pick an item and hit ENTER, you’ll see a complete list of those elements.

There are also quick commands for specific types of elements: press INSERT+F5 for form fields, INSERT+F6 for headings, and INSERT+F7 for links. If you want to see a list of a specific element, just hold CTRL+INSERT and press the relevant Navigation Quick Key. For example, to get a list of check boxes, press CTRL+INSERT+X.

As you navigate through these lists, use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to move around and select items. You can also jump directly to an item by pressing its first letter, and pressing ENTER will take you to that item’s spot on the page.

Tips for Using Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Edge is the newest browser from Microsoft, built on the same Chromium technology as Google Chrome. It’s designed to work smoothly with JAWS, making it a great choice for efficient browsing. As Edge becomes the default browser in Windows 10 and beyond, especially with Internet Explorer being phased out, many users are finding it to be a solid option for their primary browsing needs.

JAWS provides all the navigation tools in Edge that you’d find in other popular browsers like Chrome and Firefox. You can use Navigation Quick Keys to jump to different elements such as regions, headings, tables, and lists. If you want to see lists of links or form controls, just press INSERT+F7, INSERT+F6, or INSERT+F5. Navigating through tables is simple too, thanks to JAWS’ table reading commands. You can also fill out forms easily with Auto or Semi-Auto Forms Mode.

If you’re switching from Internet Explorer to Edge, you’ll be pleased to know that your JAWS commands will still work. However, the way you access some features like your favorites or history will be slightly different. The following sections will guide you through some common tasks in Edge.

Favorites

When it comes to managing favorites, you can create bookmarks for the pages you visit often. Just hit CTRL+D when you’re on a page you want to save. This opens a dialog box where you can name the favorite—by default, it uses the page title. You can choose where to save it too, typically in the Favorites bar, and if needed, you can edit the URL or create a new folder.

To manage your favorites, press CTRL+SHIFT+O to open the favorites dialog. It’s helpful to turn off the Virtual Cursor by pressing INSERT+Z for easier navigation. Use the ARROW keys to find a favorite, and hit ENTER to open it. You can also access a context menu for more options like editing or deleting the favorite.

If you want to delete a favorite, you would also open the favorites dialog with CTRL+SHIFT+O, navigate to the one you want to remove, and use the APPLICATIONS key to open the context menu and select Delete.

Browsing History

For accessing your browsing history, just press CTRL+H to open the History dialog. Similar to favorites, it’ll show you a list of recently visited pages. You can select a page and press ENTER to open it. The context menu here also lets you delete entries or open pages in a new tab.

When you click on a download link, Edge will ask whether you want to open or save the file. To check your downloads, just press CTRL+J to open the Downloads dialog, where you’ll see a list of everything you’ve downloaded. You can use the ARROW keys to select a file, and the context menu will give you options like opening the file or deleting it.

Reading PDF

Edge also allows you to read PDF files directly. When you click on a PDF link, it opens in the Edge PDF viewer. You can navigate using the JAWS Virtual Cursor just like any web page. If the PDF is well-structured, you can use Navigation Quick Keys to jump to headings.

If you prefer downloading PDFs instead of opening them, you can change this setting in Edge. Just go to Settings by pressing ALT+E and then S, search for “PDF,” and look for the option to always download PDF files.

One cool feature in Edge is the Immersive Reader, which simplifies web pages by reducing clutter. You’ll get a notification when it’s available. To turn it on, press F9, and you can read without distractions. You can easily navigate using standard reading keys and explore various options to customize your reading experience.

Lastly, there are plenty of useful keyboard shortcuts in Edge to make your browsing easier. For instance, you can open a new tab with CTRL+T, mute audio with CTRL+M, or quickly access your favorites with CTRL+SHIFT+O. These shortcuts can really speed things up, so keep them in mind as you browse!

Exploring Web Pages with JAWS

JAWS makes it really simple to read web pages. As soon as you land on a page, it starts reading from the top. In this chat, we’ll dive into how to use Navigation Quick Keys, read text, and navigate through headings, lists, links, and images.

When it comes to reading text, JAWS employs the Virtual Cursor, which lets you glide through HTML pages. This allows you to read and select text or move to different elements on the page. While the Virtual Cursor is invisible to sighted users, JAWS highlights the text being read, making it easy for someone like a teacher or parent to follow along.

The commands you use to read web pages are the same ones you’d use for any other document. Plus, you can easily select and copy text from web pages.

Navigating Forms Professionally

When navigating forms using your keyboard, you have several options. Most users rely on the arrow keys, the TAB key, or JAWS’s navigation quick keys.

Exploring Forms with Arrow Keys

Start by exploring a form using the arrow keys. It’s important to note that forms mode does not activate when you are on buttons or check boxes. These controls can be used without entering forms mode. For instance, you can press the SPACEBAR to toggle check boxes or activate buttons like OK or Submit without switching modes.

Navigating with the TAB Key

To navigate a form with the TAB key, start by pressing CTRL+HOME to position your cursor at the top. Use the quick key “F” to jump to the first edit box for the first name. Unlike using arrow keys, forms mode will not turn on automatically here, so press ENTER to activate it. When you type your first name, JAWS will indicate that it is a required field, usually marked with an asterisk (*).

Continue pressing TAB to move to the Middle initial field. JAWS will announce the field, providing additional context using a different HTML attribute. Proceed to the Last name field, where JAWS will also mention that it is required.

Automatic Cursor Movement

Some web forms are designed to automatically move your cursor to the next field after you finish typing in a specific one. This is particularly convenient for fields like phone numbers with a fixed number of characters. For example, typing three digits in the area code will automatically shift the cursor to the next field.

To see this in action, press CTRL+HOME and TAB until you reach the Area Code box. Type three numbers, and the cursor will automatically move to the next field. Repeat this for the Exchange and Number fields, and observe how smoothly the cursor advances to the email field.

AutoComplete Feature

Most browsers have an AutoComplete feature that remembers what you type, saving you time. When you start typing in an edit field, you might see suggestions based on previous entries. To close this list, press ESC and then NUM PAD PLUS to exit forms mode. If you prefer not to have these suggestions, you can disable AutoComplete in your browser settings by following specific instructions for Edge, Chrome, or Firefox.

Navigation Mode

When using navigation quick keys in forms, forms mode will not automatically turn on. This allows you to navigate the form without interruptions. For example, in a web-based email program, you can quickly check a box and navigate to a Reply button without switching modes.

JAWS will automatically turn on forms mode after three seconds if you stay on an edit box, list, or combo box. However, it will not activate for check boxes or buttons, as you can use the SPACEBAR to interact with those directly.

Press the navigation quick key “E” to move through the edit boxes. Press it quickly to navigate without entering forms mode. If three seconds is too short, you can adjust the delay up to five seconds in the settings.

Press “E” again until you reach the first name edit box, and wait for three seconds. You should hear a sound indicating that forms mode is now on. To exit forms mode, press NUM PAD PLUS, and you will hear a sound indicating it is off.

Checkboxes and Radio Buttons

To quickly toggle a check box or select a radio button, press NUM PAD SLASH while your virtual cursor is on it. This command will change the state of a check box or select a radio button without switching to forms mode, allowing you to continue reading the page.

Combo Boxes

When using the arrow keys, forms mode does not automatically turn on when you encounter a combo box. However, if you use AutoComplete settings, forms mode might activate. To change the selection in a combo box, press ALT+DOWN ARROW to open the list, activating forms mode. Use the arrow keys to pick an option, then press ALT+UP ARROW to close the list and turn off forms mode.

List Boxes

Multiple selection list boxes allow you to pick more than one item at a time. Hold down the CTRL key and use the UP or DOWN ARROW keys to navigate the list. JAWS will announce which items are not selected. Press SPACEBAR to select an item while holding CTRL. Continue navigating and selecting items as needed. When done, press TAB to move to the next field.

Semi-Auto Forms Mode

You can choose between classic forms mode or semi-auto forms mode in the JAWS Quick Settings. In semi-auto mode, forms mode does not switch on and off constantly, reducing distractions. Forms mode will activate automatically when you encounter an edit field or combo box. Press ENTER to switch to forms mode when needed, and exit with NUM PAD PLUS or TAB to the next control.

Languages on the Web

JAWS supports multiple languages online, compatible with any supported speech synthesizer. When a web page specifies a language, JAWS will use the appropriate version of the synthesizer if supported. If not, JAWS will still indicate the language being used.

For example, in English: “My computer speaks English.” In French: “Mon ordinateur parle français.” In Spanish: “Mi computadora habla español.”

Addressing Challenging Web Pages

While navigating the web with JAWS is generally smooth, there are instances where you may encounter web pages that are not designed with accessibility in mind. Although JAWS handles most pages effectively, some can present challenges. This section provides useful tips for managing these difficult pages.

Automatically Refreshing Pages

Pages that refresh automatically can disrupt your reading experience. For example, the E-Stocks sample page refreshes every twenty seconds, causing JAWS to return to the top of the page each time. To practice handling this, visit the E-Stocks sample page and set JAWS to Beginner verbosity to hear the refresh frequency.

To mitigate this issue, adjust JAWS settings for these pages. Navigate to the E-Stocks sample page, press INSERT+V to open Quick Settings, and type “page refresh” in the search box. Locate the Page Refresh option and press SPACEBAR to disable it. Then, press TAB to select OK. This adjustment allows you to read the page without interruptions, despite the ongoing refreshes.

Untagged Images

Web authors sometimes neglect to add alternate text or titles to images, making them difficult for JAWS to interpret. If an image lacks descriptive text and is not a link, JAWS will ignore it. However, if the image is a link, JAWS will announce the file path. To obtain more information about these images, open Quick Settings by pressing INSERT+V, type “untagged,” and enable the option to show image URLs. This change prompts JAWS to read out the URL of linked images, such as the Freedom Scientific logo.

Vague Link Text

Links with vague text like “Click here” can be uninformative. You can modify how JAWS reads these links by opening Quick Settings and searching for “text links.” Cycle through the options until you find the preferred setting, whether it’s the Alt attribute, longest string, or screen text.

To observe the differences, open a link with both screen text and a title attribute, and switch between the reading options. Additionally, you can view the list of links by pressing INSERT+F7 to see how the title appears.

Navigation Bars and Long Lists of Links

If you frequently encounter navigation bars or long lists of links at the top of pages, look for a “Skip to Main Content” link to jump directly to the main content. Alternatively, use the navigation quick key N to bypass site navigation and access the main content more efficiently.

Browser Notifications and Alerts

Your browser may display notifications or alerts, such as blocked popups or download prompts. JAWS will announce these notifications when they appear. If focus does not move automatically, press F6 or SHIFT+F6 to navigate to the notification. From there, use TAB or SHIFT+TAB to interact with any available buttons, and the notification will close once you have made your selection.

Mohammad Zaripour