Up until now we have been focusing on keyboard navigation, and
navigating across the web using elements. But as we near the end
of our course, we need to discuss something a bit more pressing.
Browse Mode.
Modes
In NVDA, object navigation and Browse Mode are two distinct
methods for navigating and interacting with digital content.
Here's a brief explanation of the key differences between the two:
Browse Mode
Document-Centric: Browse Mode is primarily used for web
browsing. It treats web content like a document, making it
easier for users with visual impairments to navigate web pages.
HTML Document Structure: In Browse Mode, NVDA interprets and
presents web content in a structured way, similar to how a
sighted user would experience a webpage. It identifies elements
such as headings, links, lists, and form fields.
Linear Reading: Users can navigate through web content linearly,
moving from one element to the next, such as links or headings,
using keyboard commands like arrow keys, "H" for headings, and
"K" for links.
Interactivity: Browse Mode allows users to interact with and
activate web page elements like links and buttons by selecting
them while in the mode.
Object Navigation
Element-Centric: Object Navigation is a more granular and
fine-grained approach to navigating content. It is not limited
to web browsing and can be used to navigate various application
interfaces.
Objects and Elements: In Object Navigation, NVDA focuses on
individual elements and objects within the content, such as
buttons, checkboxes, text fields, and other interface elements,
not just text and links.
Precise Navigation: Users can move through elements one at a
time and interact with specific interface components in detail,
making it useful for applications, dialog boxes, and software
interfaces.
Detailed Information: Object Navigation provides detailed
information about the currently focused element, including its
role, state, name, and additional properties.
Sure, but what does that really mean?
In summary: Browse Mode is like reading a book, where you can move
from one chapter to the next, clicking on links and buttons as you
go, mainly used for the internet. Object Navigation is like
examining each piece of a puzzle separately, allowing you to look
closely at things like buttons and text fields in computer
programs or games.
Let's think about the web pages we have been exploring. When we
press the "h" key, we are telling NVDA to navigate to the next
heading and read it to us. When we press the "b" key, we are telling
NVDA to navigate to the next button and read it to us. We are not
interacting with the actual website until we hit enter to select
that button, or link, or checkbox. It is just simply being read to
us.
You might like to think of the browse mode as NVDA's eyes. When
you press keys, you are talking to or interacting with the screen
reader first. NVDA is telling you what it sees.
Generally speaking, browse mode makes navigation similar to the
experience of navigating through a word processing document. But,
there are some websites, programs, or applications in which the
experience with browse mode on, causes the user
experience to be clunky and inefficient. There are keyboard
commands embedded in the application or website that cannot be
accessed with browse mode on. These keyboard
commands have been designed by the developers of the website, and
make navigating their application easy and efficient. But the only
way to access this efficient, easy, less time-consuming method of
navigation is by turning off browse mode, and using object
navigation.
Turning on/off Browse Mode
You can think of browse mode as a light switch. You can toggle it
on and off. To do so, you will press "NVDA key + Space". For desktop layout, this means "Insert + Space", and for laptop
layout, this means "Caps Lock + Space".
Real World Application
The Google Suite applications are a great example of different
user experiences with and without browse mode on. Did you know
that when you go to Google Drive, or Gmail, or Google Calendar
there is an entire toolbox of keyboard commands that you could be
using to make your experience run much more smoothly?
These commands are not screen reader specific. Anyone can use
them. Me, you, your friends, your teacher, ANYONE!
The only problem is that when browse mode is
ON these keyboard commands do not work, because
when you press keys on your keyboard, you are first talking to the
screen reader, and not the Google application. We need to place
your screen reader in a mode that allows the keys that you press
to be directly communicated to the application instead of the
screen reader. We need to turn browse mode off.
The scope of this course does not involve us diving into the
intricacies of Google Suite applications with browse mode off, but
I invite you to check out the following links once you've built an
understanding of browse mode.
Pro Tip: To quickly enable keyboard commands in a Google
application, press the ? and a dialogue box will open up. Use your
tab key until you hear "enable". Press enter. Tab to the "close"
button. Press enter. You are set!
Practice
Want to see the browse mode on/off phenomenon in action?
Visit the website below. When you first load the page, you will
have browse mode on by default. Press any letter on the keyboard.
Listen to NVDA describe what it sees. Next, turn off browse mode
by pressing "NVDA key + Space". Then press any letter on the
keyboard. Listen to what happens next!
Once you are done playing the piano, come back here by pressing
"Alt + Left arrow".