JAWS – Work with common types of Windows controls

JAWS – Work with common types of Windows controls

Problem

A JAWS customer would like to understand how best to navigate the most common windows controls.


Applies to

  1. JAWS
  2. Fusion 


Detail

The goal of this text is to help new JAWS users by providing hints on what to do with  the different types of Windows controls one is presented with.  It is not an exhaustive list but covers the majority of common control types with which JAWS can read.

Resolution

Please find below hints on how to operate common controls found in Windows, websites and application programs.

 

Button

A button usually has only a single action, to activate the button in focus press SPACEBAR on it.  Sometimes you may come across a split button, this means one part of the button carries out one specific option, and a second part may activate a list of other possibilities for selection.  Press TAB to access the split button and SPACEBAR followed by arrow keys to explore the other options.

 

Checkbox

A checkbox is another type of option that allows you to toggle the start of the option on and off as desired.  Press SPACEBAR to check or uncheck the option. 

 

Edit box

An edit box control usually of a single line only that allows the user to input.  A variation of the edit box known as a multi-line edit box also exists that provides for inputting text over a number of lines.  Enter characters as normal, press SPACEBAR to navigate away from the edit box.

 

Combo-box

This control allows you to enter data similar to an edit box but also functions like a drop down box (see below).  To select an option within a combo box use the UP or DOWN ARROW keys, then press TAB to confirm your select and move to the next control.

 

A drop down control shows the currently selected option in one line but when opened the control expands to show a larger list of options it contains for the user to select.  Open the list by pressing ALT+DOWN ARROW then using UP or DOWN arrows allows you to see a larger list of potentially options.  Press ALT+UP ARROW or TAB to confirm select and move to the next control.

 

Radio button

A radio button consists or a group of options that are all visible, but which only one of them can be selected at any time, press UP or DOWN ARROW to change the selection, then press TAB key to confirm the setting and move onto the next control.

 

Read Only edit box

This contains text that is already filled with  text that cannot be edited and so is said to be read only edit box.  Use the cursor keys to read the text.


Slider

A slider is a vertical or horizontal control which conveys its state by showing a visual indication along a line to show its setting, an example of such a control is speech rate slider in the JAWS Adjust Voice dialogue.  One may use LEFT/ RIGHT, UP/DOWN arrow keys to adjust the control.

Spin box

A spin box is usually a control that contains a numerical value which can be increased by pressing UP ARROW or decreased by press DOWN ARROW, press TAB to confirm the selection and move onto the next control.