Understanding a Web Page and Its Elements

A web page contains different kinds of information and controls.

JAWS can identify many of these elements and gives you special commands for moving among them.

Heading

A heading identifies the beginning of a section or topic.

Link

A link takes you to another page, another part of the same page, or sometimes opens a file. Press Enter on a link to activate it.

List

A list is a group of related items. JAWS may announce how many items are in the list.

Button

A button performs an action. Examples include Submit, Search, Play, Save, or Download.

Edit Box

An edit box is a place where you can type information.

After locating an edit box with the Virtual Cursor, press the Spacebar to place focus in the field and turn Forms Mode on. JAWS may make a small popping sound when Forms Mode turns on.

You can then type into the field. Use Tab to move through related form fields. Press Escape when you are finished to leave Forms Mode and return to normal web-page navigation.

Password Edit Box

A password field is an edit box used for private information such as a password.

Checkbox

A checkbox is an option that can usually be checked or unchecked. Press Spacebar to change its state.

Radio Button

Radio buttons are normally used when only one choice can be selected from a group. Use the Arrow keys to move among the choices.

Combo Box

A combo box contains a list of choices. You can usually use the Arrow keys to select an item.

Table

A table arranges information into rows and columns. Hold Ctrl+Alt and use the Arrow keys to move through the cells. Release Ctrl+Alt when you want to continue moving through the page normally.

Menu

A menu contains a group of commands or choices.

Image or Graphic

If the creator of the page provided a useful text description, JAWS may read that information.

Audio and Video

A page may contain audio or video players with controls such as Play, Pause, Volume, or Full Screen.

Forms

A form may contain edit boxes, checkboxes, radio buttons, combo boxes, and buttons.

Navigation Area

A navigation area usually contains links that help you move to major sections of a website.

Main Content

The main content area contains the primary information on the page.

Footer

A footer appears near the bottom of a page and may contain contact information, copyright information, policies, or additional links.

You Can Practice Without Leaving This Lesson

Use the JAWS navigation commands you already know to move through this page. Listen for headings, links, lists, and other page elements.

End of this lesson.