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NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access)

by | Nov 2, 2023 | Screen Readers | 0 comments

Overview

NVDA (Non Visual Desktop Access) is a free and open-source screen reader for Microsoft Windows. It provides feedback via synthetic speech and braille, and it enables blind or vision impaired people to access computers running Windows for no more cost than a sighted person.

NVDA is developed by NV Access, with contributions from the community. It is released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), and it is available for download from the NV Access website.

NVDA is a full-featured screen reader that supports a wide range of applications, including:

  • Web browsers
  • Email clients
  • Office suites
  • Productivity apps
  • Media players
  • Games
  • And more

NVDA also supports a variety of input devices, including keyboards, mice, and braille displays.

NVDA is a powerful tool that can help blind or vision impaired people to use computers independently and productively. It is easy to use and customize, and it is regularly updated with new features and bug fixes.

Key features of NVDA

  • Support for a wide range of applications and input devices
  • Natural-sounding synthetic speech
  • Comprehensive braille support
  • Customizable keyboard shortcuts
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Regular updates with new features and bug fixes

NVDA is a popular choice for blind and vision impaired computer users. It is free, open-source, and feature-rich. If you are looking for a screen reader for Windows, NVDA is a great option to consider.

Benefits of using NVDA:

  • It is free and open-source, so you can use it without having to purchase a license.
  • It is regularly updated with new features and bug fixes.
  • It is supported by a large and active community of users and developers.
  • It is compatible with a wide range of applications and input devices.
  • It is customizable to meet your individual needs and preferences.

Starting and Exiting NVDA

You can:

  • Start NVDA using Ctrl + Alt + N

  • Exit NVDA using NVDA + Q

  • Restart NVDA using NVDA + Ctrl + Q

If the start shortcut does not work, NVDA may need to be started manually from the Start menu.

Speech Control

NVDA allows you to:

  • Stop speech using Ctrl

  • Pause or resume speech using Shift

  • Change speech modes using NVDA + S

Speech modes include:

  • Talk

  • Beeps

  • Off

Reading Text

NVDA can read:

  • Current character using NVDA + .

  • Current word using NVDA + Numpad 5

  • Current line using NVDA + Up Arrow or NVDA + L

  • Entire document from current position using NVDA + Down Arrow

  • Window title using NVDA + T

  • Status bar using NVDA + End

  • Focused item using NVDA + Tab

  • Selected text using NVDA + Shift + Up Arrow

  • Clipboard content using NVDA + C

  • Formatting information using NVDA + F

You can move through text using:

  • Right Arrow = Next character

  • Left Arrow = Previous character

  • Ctrl + Right Arrow = Next word

  • Ctrl + Left Arrow = Previous word

  • Down Arrow = Next line

  • Up Arrow = Previous line

Web Browsing

Browse Mode and Focus Mode

Browse Mode

Browse Mode is used for reading webpages and moving through page elements.

You can move by:

  • Headings using H and Shift + H

  • Links using K and Shift + K

  • Buttons using B

  • Form fields using F

  • Lists using L and Shift + L

  • Tables using T and Shift + T

  • Checkboxes using X

  • Combo boxes using C

  • Landmarks using D

Focus Mode

Focus Mode is used for typing inside:

  • Edit boxes

  • Search fields

  • Forms

Commands:

  • NVDA + Space = Toggle Browse and Focus mode

  • Enter = Enter Focus Mode

  • Escape = Exit Focus Mode

Elements List

The Elements List provides quick access to:

  • Headings

  • Links

  • Form fields

  • Buttons

  • Landmarks

Shortcut:

  • NVDA + F7 = Open Elements List

This is useful for understanding page structure and jumping quickly to important sections.

Forms and Interaction

You can interact with:

  • Buttons

  • Links

  • Checkboxes

  • Combo boxes

  • Radio buttons

Common interaction keys:

  • Enter = Activate button or link

  • Spacebar = Check checkbox or activate controls

  • Tab = Move to next interactive item

  • Shift + Tab = Move to previous interactive item

  • Arrow keys = Move between options

Table Navigation

In tables you can move:

  • To the next cell using Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow

  • To the previous cell using Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow

  • To the next row using Ctrl + Alt + Down Arrow

  • To the previous row using Ctrl + Alt + Up Arrow

NVDA Menu and Settings

The NVDA menu gives access to:

  • Preferences

  • Settings

  • Tools

  • Help

  • Configuration profiles

  • Add-ons

Commands:

  • NVDA + N = Open NVDA menu

  • NVDA + Ctrl + G = Open General Settings

  • NVDA + Ctrl + V = Open speech settings

  • NVDA + Ctrl + K = Open keyboard settings

Important settings categories include:

  • Speech

  • Keyboard

  • Mouse

  • Browse Mode

  • Document Formatting

  • Braille

  • Review Cursor

Speech Settings Ring

The speech settings ring allows quick adjustment of:

  • Rate

  • Pitch

  • Volume

  • Voice

Commands:

  • NVDA + Ctrl + Right Arrow = Next setting

  • NVDA + Ctrl + Left Arrow = Previous setting

  • NVDA + Ctrl + Up Arrow = Increase value

  • NVDA + Ctrl + Down Arrow = Decrease value

Typing Echo and Punctuation

NVDA can announce:

  • Typed characters using NVDA + 2

  • Typed words using NVDA + 3

  • Command keys using NVDA + 4

You can control punctuation levels using NVDA + P.

Punctuation levels include:

  • None

  • Some

  • Most

  • All

Input Help Mode

Input Help announces the function of keys without performing their actions.

Shortcut:

  • NVDA + 1 = Toggle Input Help

Screen Curtain

Screen Curtain turns the monitor display off while NVDA continues working normally.

Shortcut:

  • NVDA + Ctrl + Escape = Toggle Screen Curtain

This can improve privacy and reduce distraction.

Object Navigation

Object Navigation allows movement between interface elements independently of the keyboard focus.

Commands:

  • NVDA + Numpad 6 = Next object

  • NVDA + Numpad 4 = Previous object

  • NVDA + Numpad 8 = Parent object

  • NVDA + Numpad 2 = First child object

  • NVDA + Numpad 5 = Read current object

Review Cursor

The Review Cursor allows reading content independently from the system focus.

Commands:

  • NVDA + Numpad 7 = Previous line

  • NVDA + Numpad 8 = Current line

  • NVDA + Numpad 9 = Next line

  • NVDA + Numpad Plus = Read continuously

  • NVDA + Numpad Minus = Move review cursor to focus

  • NVDA + Numpad Multiply = Move navigator object to focus

These commands mainly use the numpad in Desktop keyboard layout.

OCR (Optical Character Recognition)

OCR allows NVDA to recognize text from:

  • Images

  • Inaccessible windows

  • Some scanned content

Shortcut:

  • NVDA + R = Recognize text from screen

Tools Menu

The Tools menu includes:

  • Speech Viewer

  • Log Viewer

  • Add-ons Manager

  • Python Console

To open the Tools menu:

  1. Press NVDA + N

  2. Move to Tools using Arrow keys

  3. Press Enter

Speech Viewer is useful because it shows spoken text on screen.

Add-ons

Add-ons provide extra features such as:

  • OCR improvements

  • Browser enhancements

  • Productivity tools

  • Additional voices

Add-ons can be managed from:

  • NVDA Menu → Tools → Add-ons Manager

Useful Windows Shortcuts with NVDA

  • Alt + Tab = Switch apps

  • Windows + D = Show desktop

  • Windows + E = Open File Explorer

  • Windows + R = Open Run dialog

  • Windows + I = Open Settings

  • Windows + M = Minimize all windows

  • Applications key or Shift + F10 = Open context menu

Other Important Shortcuts

  • NVDA + Ctrl + C = Save configuration

  • NVDA + Ctrl + R = Restore saved configuration

  • NVDA + Shift + B = Battery status

  • NVDA + F12 = Time and date

  • NVDA + F1 = Help for current application

  • NVDA + Ctrl + F1 = Developer information

Note:

The NVDA key is used for most NVDA commands:

  • Desktop keyboard layout: Insert key

Laptop keyboard layout: Caps Lock key