The difference between inaccessible and accessible website content when using screen readers is significant. It affects how efficiently users can navigate the web. On inaccessible websites, screen readers struggle to interpret poorly structured content. This makes it difficult for users to understand the layout or find essential information. For example, missing alt text on images or unlabeled buttons can leave blind or low vision users guessing about the content. In contrast, accessible websites provide clear navigation with properly labeled elements, such as headings, links, and buttons. This allows users to move through pages with ease. Additionally, accessible sites use ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles to improve interactions between the website and the screen reader. By following accessibility guidelines, developers make content more usable for everyone, including screen reader users, creating a more inclusive digital environment.
Here is a list of commonly used JAWS keyboard commands for navigating websites:
Basic Navigation:
- Move to next element:
Tab - Move to previous element:
Shift + Tab - Go to the next region:
R - Go to the next heading:
H - Go to the next link:
L - Go to the next form field:
F - Go to the next button:
B - Go to the next check box:
X - Move to the next graphic:
G - Go to the next list:
I - Go to the next table:
T - Go to the next landmark:
D
Quick Heading Navigation:
- Next heading at level 1:
1 - Next heading at level 2:
2 - Next heading at level 3:
3
(Continue for headings 4–6)
Link Navigation:
- Next link:
L - Previous link:
Shift + L - List of all links:
Insert + F7 - Activate a link:
Enter
Forms and Form Controls:
- Move to next form field:
F - Next combo box:
C - Next edit field:
E - Next button:
B - Next radio button:
A - Next check box:
X - List of all form controls:
Insert + F5
Tables:
- Move to the next table:
T - Next cell in a row:
Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow - Previous cell in a row:
Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow - Next cell in a column:
Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow - Previous cell in a column:
Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow - Table reading mode (on/off):
Insert + Spacebar, thenT
Miscellaneous:
- Refresh page:
Insert + Esc - List of headings:
Insert + F6 - List of frames:
Insert + F9 - List of form fields:
Insert + F5 - Move to the next non-link text element:
N - Move to the previous non-link text element:
Shift + N - Move to the next visited link:
V
These commands allow the difference between inaccessible and accessible website content and allow efficient navigation and interaction with web content using JAWS. With properly coding a website, the inaccessible becomes accessible for all users.