Hi.
I know much of this question comes from converting from PC to Mac. I'm looking for ways to make myself more efficient at doing simple things like quickly jumping to the web page when it loads in Safari, and other things I'm not quite picking up on because I'm thinking too much about how screen readers work on PC and not enough about accepting how VoiceOver works on Mac. I have done some searches on this site, but so far have not found efficiency tips. I also want to know if, for example, web spots only work for the current web page or if you can make them work for the whole domain.
By Jim Homme, 2 April, 2018
Forum
macOS and Mac Apps
Comments
I don't use web spots, but I
I don't use web spots, but I'd say they only work for the current page. I'd say, don't compare this to windows screen access software, there's a lot of things that are different between platforms, and believe me, there's a learning curve but once you get it down, it's pretty smooth sailing. I converted from windows to mac about 8 years ago and haven't regretted it. 3 macbooks later and I'm still loving it. The best thing I can suggest is to use the VoiceOver quick start tutorials, accessed by pressing VO, that is the control+option keys down, and while holding them, press command+8. Another simpler way, is to hit VO+H to open the Voiceover help menu, and arrow down till you see getting started tutorial and hit either enter or VO space on it.
keep looking on here, there is a section on getting started with the mac and using VoiceOver. I think it's right on the main page.
Using VoiceOver on macOS
I don't think web spots apply to an entire domain. They are page specific. If you want to quickly navigate to web content, press VO end to jump to the web content area and interact with it. Alternatively, you can use VO with the letter u to bring up lists for common web elements like links, headings, tables, etc. Press the left and right arrow to move between categories and up and down arrow to move through items.
If you don't like using control+option or caps lock as the VoiceOver modifier, you might want to consider using the trackpad or numeric keypad commanders. The trackpad commander lets you control VoiceOver using many of the same gestures from iOS if your Mac has a multitouch trackpad. The numeric keypad commander lets you use the numeric keypad to issue VoiceOver commands. You can customize what each numpad key does as well as combining keys with modifiers like numpad zero, control, option, or command. As you can tell, there is a lot of flexibility. If you want even more, consider creating VoiceOver activities with different sets of commands for either numpad or trackpad commander. VoiceOver activities basically allow you to customize the screen reader on a perapplication basis.
Keyboard Commander is My Friend
I agree with the tips and tricks already mentioned here. I for one use the Keyboard Commander, and it has saved me a lot of time. To each his/her own though. I have a sister who owns a MacBook Air as well and is a VO user, and she doesn't currently use any of the commanders. I also agree about not relying on past experience in Windows. While I have found some minor similarities, the Mac operating system is a whole different ballgame and really shouldn't be compared with Windows for this purpose.
Keyboard Commander
Hi,
I have some keys set up, such as Right Option plus S to open Safari. I have done this for the three or four apps I use most. Before I knew how this worked, I put apps on the Doc and moved them so that the ones I use most are closest to the left. I've also memorized a few common key strokes, such as Command plus Shift plus D for downloads.
Same situation
Hey Jim, I'm in pretty much the same situation. I have a Mac but haven't utilized it to its full potential, because I keep getting hung up on similarities and differences between screen readers. I've been a Windows user for many years, and the switch is tough. So I'll be following the advice given in this post too.
learning the Mac
agree with all said. pay attention to the usage hints VoiceOver provides by default. that's how I learned VoiceOver, a year before Applevis was around in 2009. the Mac is a great experience and it will always be. and if you need Windows, the Bootcamp setup assistant allows you to run the Microsoft operating system. good lock!
Can't Escape
Hi,
For work reasons, I will always use a PC, but I'm just beginning to get a little comfortable with the Mac.
Right now I still think browsing the web on PC is more efficient because the concept of the virtual buffer that won't let you out of the web document seems more efficient than having to press some keys every time a page loads to get to the document, then find your way to where you want to end up. But if I'm doing something wrong, one of the more experienced folks will certainly jump in and tell me more to think about. I'm good with that.
Replaced Quick Nav with num pad commander
I've been struggling with Quick Nav for a while now. I was convinced it was the best way to go but despite its premise of simplicity, it just frustrated me. I'd open a web page, turn on Quick Nav, find out that my root had changed away from headings, try to find it, find out I wasn't in the web content, then try to find my way back in, then change rotor and so on.
I checked out the Real Blind Tech Show pod cast episode on the num pad commander, and have been playing about with it and so far it seems to fix a lot of my issues with Quick Nav. Now I just press num pad zero plus 4 and 5 to move between headings, and there are a lot of other tricks in there. I had initially resisted it because I was overwhelmed by the number of extra short cut keys to learn, but now I'm a little more confident with the other VO keys, it felt pretty good.
I would strongly recommend it. If you don't have a num pad, then you can buy a separate bluetooth num pad for your existing keyboard.
As has also been mentioned, the keyboard commander is great for application shortcuts.
One other command I only discovered recently is VO+J. It doesn't work in all apps, but in mail, Safari and some others it jumps between areas of the screen. E.g. in Safari it jumps between toolbar and content. In mail it jumps between the message panes, also in Outlook.
If you have an iPhone or iPad too, then make sure to enable handoff and try things like universal copy and paste. Not so much a VO trick, but being able to copy and paste my MFA codes from phone to Mac saves me lots of time. On a similar note, VO+Shift+C to copy the last spoken phrase is very useful.