Interacting with apps and windows in Voice access
Transcript:
With Voice access you can click buttons, expand menus, scroll through content, and navigate interfaces without relying on your keyboard. These are essential skills for anybody using Voice access. If you're a designer or a developer, this video will also help you to understand how people with different accessibility needs navigate digital interfaces that you design.
How to click using Voice access
One of the main things Voice access enables you to do is click on elements using your voice, instead of relying on your mouse. To click on any item, use the command "click" followed by the name of the item. For example, if you see a save button, use the command "click save". If there's a home link, use the command "click home". Voice access is quite intelligent about identifying clickable elements. It can read buttons, links, menu items, and other interactive elements by the labels or descriptions shown on the screen.
How to focus on an item
Sometimes you need to focus on an item without actually clicking it. This is similar to hovering over it with the mouse. Use the command "move to" followed by the item name. For example, "move to File Explorer". You can also use the command "focus on". This places focus on the item, which can be helpful for keyboard navigation or when you want to see more details about an item before selecting it.
Toggle using Voice access
For items that can toggle between states like checkboxes or switches, use the command "toggle" followed by the name of the item. You can also use the command "flip". For example, "toggle dark mode" or "flip notification settings".
How to scroll in Windows Voice access
The other function we typically use a mouse for is scrolling. With Voice access, you can scroll in any direction by saying "scroll" followed by the direction. For example, "scroll down", "scroll up", "scroll left", "scroll right".
If you want continuous scrolling, use the command "start scrolling" followed by the direction. For example, "start scrolling down". You application will keep scrolling until you use the command "stop scrolling" or "stop". This is particularly useful for long documents or web pages, where you want to scan through content quickly.
Adjust slider controls with voice commands
Voice access also provides precise control for interface elements like sliders. To adjust the slider, use the command "move slider" followed by the direction and how many steps you would like it to move. For example, "move slider right five times" or "move slider up three times". This gives you fine control over things like volume sliders, brightness controls on any of the slider interface elements.
The direction can be up, down, left, or right, and you can specify any number of steps to get exactly the adjustment you need. Practice these commands with different applications until you're comfortable using them. Try clicking various buttons, scrolling through documents, and adjusting controls using voice commands. Don't be tempted to rush through these tutorials. Using Voice access can be a steep learning curve, and it's much better to become confident with the commands you've already covered before you move on.
In the next video, we'll explore overlay features (opens in a new tab). These are special visual aids that make it even easier to interact with interface elements using interactive numbers and grids.