Web Accessibility Tips for People Who Are Blind

Use keyboard shortcuts to move through Web pages or change your Internet Options.

• Click Tab and Shift+Tab to move forward or backward between screen elements such as:
  • Links that are text or images
  • Hot spots on image maps
  • The address bar
  • The menu bar
  • The links bar
  • Frames

  As you move to or select a link or image, a thin border appears that indicates to the screen reader that the link or image has been selected.

• See other suggested keyboard shortcuts below.

Use Auto Complete to save time when you are typing Web addresses or completing entries on Web pages.

• On the IE Tools menu, click Internet Options, click the Content tab, and then click the AutoComplete button. Choose your options. and click OK to close the dialog box.
  (Keyboard shortcut: Click Alt, T, O and then click Ctrl + Tab until you select the Content tab. Click Alt + U to open the Auto Complete dialog box. Click Tab to move through the options and click the space bar to select or deselect an option. Click Enter to close the Auto Complete dialog box. Tab to the OK button and click Enter to close the Internet Options dialog box.)
• If you use a blind-access utility, you can clear the check boxes if your accessibility aid reads the suggestions as they appear. This will make typing easier.

Maximize the amount of space available for Web content.

• Right-click the toolbar, and then click Customize.
  (Keyboard shortcut: Press Alt+V+T+C.) For Available toolbar buttons, press Alt+V and then use the Arrow keys to make your selections. Press Alt+A to add to Current toolbar buttons.)
• If you are using a screen reader, you can select Small Icons (keyboard shortcut: Alt+N) in the Icon Options list, and No text labels (keyboard shortcut: Alt+T) in the Text Options list to maximize the amount of screen space available for Web content.
  (Keyboard shortcut: Use Arrow keys to move to your choice and click Enter to select.)

Change these IE options for easier Web access.

• On the IE Tools menu, click Internet Options, and then click the Advanced tab.
  (Keyboard shortcut: Click Alt, T, O and then Ctrl + Tab to the Advanced tab. Use the Tab key or Arrow keys to move through the options and use the Spacebar to make selections. Click Enter to close the Internet Options dialog box.)
  
  Then choose one or more of the following:
• Screen reader: Some screen readers use the system caret to determine which area of the screen to magnify. Select the Move system caret with focus/selection changes check box to specify whether to move the system caret whenever the focus or selection changes.
  (Keyboard shortcut: Use Arrow keys to move to the option and click the Spacebar to select it.)
• Image descriptions: Select the Always expand alt text for images check box if you rely on alternate (ALT) text instead of viewing the actual pictures. Then the text will not be cut off if the amount of text is larger than the image area.
  (Keyboard shortcut: Use Arrow keys to move to the option and click the space bar to select it.)
• Voice recognition:
  • Clear check boxes or selectively download sounds so they do not interfere with your screen reader reading text aloud.
  • Deselect the Show pictures, Play animations, or Play videos check boxes to improve performance.
    (Keyboard shortcut: Use Arrow keys to move to the options and click the space bar to select them.)

For general information and recommendations on how computers can help you with your specific needs, you should consult a trained evaluator. To locate programs or services in your area, contact:

National Information System
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC 29208
Voice/ text telephone: (803) 777-1782
Fax: (803) 777-9557

• PC users: Get more information on specific disabilities at Microsoft Guides by Impairment.
• Mac users: Find out more about accessibiity on Apple's Accessibility page.