There are few ways that forms elements can be find with a screen reader. Screen reader users can tab to different types of form elements and can hear form field labels.
Some screen readers also announce “focus or Form mode when a screen reader user land on any form field. It allows screen reader users to enter information into forms. Focus mode, or forms mode, overrides the keyboard shortcuts that are available in browse mode so that screen reader users can type in the form fields.
Method 1
Enter and exit forms mode
Enter and exit forms mode
Screen Reader & Browser Command
JAWS with Chrome, IE: Enter: Enter key (when focus is on a form field)
Exit: Numpad Plus
NVDA with Firefox, Chrome: Enter Insert + Space Bar
Exit: (repeat) Insert + Space Bar
Method 2
List all form elements
Screen Reader & Browser Command
JAWS with Chrome, IE: Insert + F5
NVDA with Firefox, Chrome: Insert + F5
Note:
The following keyboard commands for JAWS and NVDA are only available when the screen reader is in “Focus/Forms” mode.
Method 3
Navigate from one form element to the next
Screen Reader & Browser Command
JAWS with Chrome, IE: Press F
NVDA with Firefox, Chrome: Press F
Method 4
Select or deselect a form element
Screen Reader & Browser Command
JAWS with Chrome, IE: Press Space Bar or Enter
NVDA with Firefox, Chrome: Press Space Bar
Method 5
Navigate from one button to the next
Screen Reader & Browser Command
JAWS with Chrome, IE: Press B
NVDA with Firefox, Chrome: Press B
Method 6
Navigate from one checkbox to the next
Screen Reader & Browser Command
JAWS with Chrome, IE: Press X
NVDA with Firefox, Chrome: Press X
Method 7
Navigate from one combo box to the next
Screen Reader & Browser Command
JAWS with Chrome IE: Press C
NVDA with Firefox, Chrome: Press C
Method 8
Open a combo box
Screen Reader & Browser Command
JAWS with Chrome, IE: Press Alt + Down Arrow
NVDA with Firefox, Chrome: Press Alt + Down Arrow
Method 9
Browse and select options in a combo box
Screen Reader & Browser Command
JAWS with Chrome, IE: Press down Arrow or First Letter
NVDA with Firefox, Chrome: Press down Arrow or First Letter
Method 10
Navigate from radio button to the next
Screen Reader & Browser Command
JAWS with Chrome, IE: Press A
NVDA with Firefox, Chrome: Press R
Method 11:
Toggle radio button selection
Screen Reader & Browser Command
JAWS with Chrome, IE: Press Up and Down Arrow
NVDA with Firefox, Chrome: Press Up and Down Arrow
Note for Web Developers/Designers
They should Labeled all the edit fields with appropriate text.
