Narrator for Application Navigation

Windows Narrator is a built-in screen reader application in Windows 10 that helps individuals with visual impairments or reading difficulties to navigate applications and web content efficiently. In this article, we’ll explore the various Narrator views and commands, as well as how to use it to navigate landmarks, suggestions, links, and headings.

Understanding Narrator Views:

Narrator provides different views to enhance navigation. These views include items, characters, words, sentences, lines, paragraphs, headings, links, form fields, tables, landmarks, and suggestions. To switch between views, you can use the following commands:
Narrator + Page Up and Narrator + Page Down for vertical navigation.
Narrator + Ctrl + Up Arrow Key and Narrator + Ctrl + Down Arrow Key for horizontal navigation.

Once you’ve selected a view, use Narrator + Left Arrow Key or Narrator + Right Arrow Key to navigate within that view. For touch-enabled devices, views become especially useful, and you can learn more about touch navigation in Chapter 6.

Navigating with Landmarks:

Landmarks group similar elements on the screen, making it easier to navigate through them. Some webpages and apps, like Microsoft Store, incorporate landmarks. Even certain Windows features, like the Start menu, have landmarks.

To move to the main landmark on the screen, press Narrator + N. If you want a list of landmarks for a particular page or app, press Narrator + F5. To discover more about working with landmarks, refer to Chapter 3’s information on scan mode.

Using Suggestions with Narrator:

Suggestions are available in specific apps and parts of Windows 10 when you enter information in a text box. For example, when you type in the search box after pressing the Windows logo key, suggestions are provided as you type.

Narrator indicates the availability of suggestions through a sound and voice message. You can navigate these suggestions using the Narrator view or by pressing the Up and Down Arrow Keys to move through the suggestions and Enter to select one.

Efficient Navigation of Links and Headings:

When browsing the web or an application, knowing how to navigate links and headings can save time and effort.
To explore a list of all the links on a page, press Narrator + F7. Use the Up or Down Arrow Key to navigate the list, and press Enter to go to the desired link’s location.
For headings, press Narrator + F6 to access a list of all the headings on a page. Navigate the list with the Up or Down Arrow Key and press Enter to go to a specific heading’s location.

Additionally, if you’re looking for something specific on a page or in a document, you can use Narrator Find. To open Narrator Find and search for a word or phrase, press Narrator + Ctrl + F. Then, use Find Next or press Enter to move to the first result starting from your cursor position. Press Narrator + F3 to go to the next result or Narrator + Shift + F3 for the previous result.

Remember to turn on the alternate command key (Fn or F Lock) before using the function keys (F6 or F7) in the above sections. Refer to the appropriate resources to learn more about the alternate command keys.

Conclusion,

Windows Narrator is a powerful tool for individuals who rely on screen readers to navigate applications and web content. By understanding the different views, landmarks, suggestions, links, and headings, users can make the most of Narrator’s capabilities, enhancing their overall digital experience.