Freedom Scientific Blog - Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 10:29 AM
Learn More, Do More, New Features in JAWS: Turn Off Virtual Cursor for Specific
Tabs in Chrome
The last feature we’d like to cover in this series highlighting some of the
more notable features in JAWS 2020 is the ability for JAWS to remember the
state of the Virtual Cursor in Google Chrome when toggled using the INSERT+Z
command. This may be especially helpful for users who regularly open and move
between multiple web page tabs where they need the Virtual Cursor off in one
and active in others.
JAWS uses the Virtual Cursor to read web pages, enabling users to read and
select text just like in a word processing application like Microsoft Word.
Commands are also available for quickly moving to specific elements on a page
such as links, headings, regions, lists, tables, and form fields. JAWS also
highlights text as it is read so a sighted user like a teacher or parent can
visually follow the text.
While the Virtual Cursor provides the best experience for reading web pages
with JAWS in most cases, there are some web applications where turning off the
Virtual Cursor by pressing INSERT+Z can improve the app experience. For
example, Google Calendar offers hot keys for navigating and working with
appointments, so turning off the Virtual Cursor in this web-based app is the
recommended approach. Additionally, many users regularly open multiple tabs so
they can easily access different sites and quickly move between the open tabs
using the CTRL+TAB keystroke. When you need to have the Virtual Cursor off in
one tab but enabled in others, it can become frustrating to constantly press
INSERT+Z to switch cursors.
Beginning with version 2020, JAWS and Fusion remember the state of the Virtual
Cursor in Google Chrome for each tab once you set it. It also announces whether
the Virtual Cursor is on or off as you move between tabs. For instance, if you
press INSERT+Z to turn off the Virtual Cursor while focused in a web app like
Google Calendar or Gmail and you press CTRL+N or CTRL+T to open a page in a new
Browser window or tab, the Virtual Cursor is automatically turned off when
focus moves back to Google Calendar and turns back on when you move to a
different tab. Your preferences only last for the current browser or JAWS
session; you must reset your preferences each time you close the browser or
restart JAWS.
This feature is on by default. If you turn the feature off, the Virtual Cursor
will always turn on when you go to a tab, and your preferences will not be
remembered. If you do not want JAWS to remember the Virtual Cursor state for a
specific page tab, follow these steps:
Press INSERT+6 to open JAWS Settings Center.
Press CTRL+SHIFT+D to load the default settings file.
In the Search edit box, type “Tabs” without the quotes.
Press DOWN ARROW until you locate Virtual Cursor On/Off based on Browser Tabs.
Press the SPACEBAR to clear the check box and then select OK.
Take a look at our Surf’s Up pages for more tips on browsing the web using JAWS
and Fusion. We also encourage you to visit our Webinars On Demand page to
locate training and resources for using JAWS with Google Chrome, Gmail, Google
Calendar, and more.
https://blog.freedomscientific.com/learn-more-do-more-new-features-in-jaws-turn-off-virtual-cursor-for-specific-tabs-in-chrome/
David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist
Feel free to visit my Web site
WWW.DavidGoldfield.info
