Google - Using GoogleDocs with JAWS

Google - Using GoogleDocs with JAWS

Problem

A JAWS user needs to access and use Google Docs web app.

Applies to 

  1. JAWS and Google Docs

Resolution

The below notes have been provided to help JAWS users to work with Google Docs web app.  The steps presented below have been tested with JAWS and the Chrome brower, when using other browsers there may be small differences in presentation but should fundamentally work the same way. Please browse through the information  below and use the steps to carry out basic tasks in the Google Docs web app.

Google Docs main window

The Google Docs main window once logged in presents a list of document templates below which are a list of documents saved within Googler Docs.  These can be documents that you have created or that have been shared with you. 

Google Docs is a so called web app, it is designed to behave very much as an installed desktop application.  Thus press TAB and SHIFT+TAB should rotate you through the available controls.  However, there may be times when you wish to make use of JAWS Quick key navigation, for this you must press JAWSKey+Z to turn on the Virtual PC Cursor so that the quick nav key commands will work such as H and SHIFT+H for headings.

Set document to list view

  1. Press letter H to reach Today or Earlier close to the document list. that heading 
  2. Then press TAB key to move to List View button then press SPACEBAR to switch to list view, then UP/DOWN cursor keys will work to find documents.

Use document filter

  1. Navigate to the heading Today/Recent/Earlier by pressing letter H repeatedly.
  2. Then press TAB to reach the Open Filter Options, then press SPACEBAR.
  3. Press UP/DOWN cursor keys to select the option Not Owned By Me, then press ENTER.

Opening a document

  1. Press H to reach the heading Today/Recent Documents/Earlier.
  2. Press UP/DOWN ARROW keys to navigate the document list.
  3. Then press ENTER to open a document for editing.

Enable screen reader support

The first time you use Google Docs you need to enable screen reader support:

  1. Open Google Docs in your browser.
  2. Press the hotkey CONTROL+ALT+Z to toggle screen reader support on. 
  3. Alternatively you may swich on screen reader support by opening Tools > Accessibility in GoogleDocs pressing spacebar whilst focused on the checkbox for Screen Reader Support.

Search for and open document by name

  1. Press F until you reach Search, then press ENTER.
  2. Now enter the document name to open, then press down arrow to see if there are any matches.  If nothing is heard there are no matches backspace your entry and try another entry.
  3. Then press ENTER to open the result.  The document ill then open so you can navigate it.



If you wish to navigate to the document tabs or any bookmarks with a document do the following.

  1. Press JAWSKey+Z until virtual PC cursor is turned on.
  2. Press letter H to reach Document Tabs.
  3. Then press TAB to highlight the document tab name, then tab once past Document tab options button.
  4. Press UP/DOWN to browse through the list of chapters in the document.
  5. Press ENTER on a chapter in the tree view to jump to  that point in the document.
  6. Use normal reading keys to browse through the document.
 

Navigate back to  document content

  1. Press JAWSKey+F9 for frame list.
  2. Then press ENTER on Document content.




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