Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Microsoft Teams and JAWS (self.Blind)
submitted by marapg
My company has been switching for Microsoft Teams recently. Even though Microsoft has a reputation of creating accessible software I don't think it is very accessible.
There are a lot of support pages on Microsoft website that list shortcuts, but I find those work for very limited and simple situations, like chat, and discussions inside a Team.
In my company we use Teams to share files (excel, OneNote) and there were situations when I got into edit mode within Teams and got stuck. For example, the OneNote file opened within Teams for editing. The shortcuts did not work, couldn't tab out of it.
I was wondering if anyone else has similar experiences and would like to share solutions and workarounds. Thanks!
There are a lot of support pages on Microsoft website that list shortcuts, but I find those work for very limited and simple situations, like chat, and discussions inside a Team.
In my company we use Teams to share files (excel, OneNote) and there were situations when I got into edit mode within Teams and got stuck. For example, the OneNote file opened within Teams for editing. The shortcuts did not work, couldn't tab out of it.
I was wondering if anyone else has similar experiences and would like to share solutions and workarounds. Thanks!
jmosen 2 points 2y ago
As well as the advice you’ve already received, one trick that has helped me is to synchronise the folders in Teams you use a lot. You can do this by selecting the files tab in a Team, then tabbing to the command bar and right-arrowing to Sync. The advantage here is that once you do this, assuming your company also has a business OneDrive account, all the folders you sync simply appear in File Explorer and you can browse the content like any other folder on your computer. You can also add files to the folder via File Explorer and the whole team can see them.
Also, Microsoft knows about the getting stuck problem. For now, the work-around is to press Windows+up-arrow, Windows+down-arrow, and then Windows+up-arrow again.
Finally Doug Lee has some Teams scripts that may help, at http://dlee.org
Also, Microsoft knows about the getting stuck problem. For now, the work-around is to press Windows+up-arrow, Windows+down-arrow, and then Windows+up-arrow again.
Finally Doug Lee has some Teams scripts that may help, at http://dlee.org
marapg [OP] 2 points 2y ago
I didn't know about synchronization between Teams and file explorer. I will look into that. Thanks for the tip!
Jess_dillon 2 points 2y ago
marapg [OP] 1 points 2y ago
Thanks! I found a solution on the follow up FAQ you pointed out.
The solution is to activate the virtual cursor, press B to navigate to the back button, followed by enter, then deactivate virtual cursor.
It workwd great when a document viewer was open within Teams!
I had mixed results when it was an OneNote file. But foe now the solution works 95% of the time, so it's great! Thanks!
The solution is to activate the virtual cursor, press B to navigate to the back button, followed by enter, then deactivate virtual cursor.
It workwd great when a document viewer was open within Teams!
I had mixed results when it was an OneNote file. But foe now the solution works 95% of the time, so it's great! Thanks!
BenandGracie 2 points 2y ago
I don't use Teams, but I know FreedomScientific has some training for it somewhere on their site.
marapg [OP] 1 points 2y ago
I also have problems getting stuck in the document viewer.
Today I found out that I can use the ribbon menu to click the “Open in Desktop App” button.
The problem is that JAWS will not say anything while you perform this shortcut, so it's a leap of faith. You need to wait a few seconds to see if Excel is actually opening or not. In my experience I can hear JAWS saying opening Excel in about 5 to 8 seconds.
How to do this:
My focus was on the viewer, and JAWS was not reading anything to me.
I pressed ALT, then O, then waited 5 to 8 seconds. Then I heard JAWS say “opening Excel”.
I hope this helps!
Today I found out that I can use the ribbon menu to click the “Open in Desktop App” button.
The problem is that JAWS will not say anything while you perform this shortcut, so it's a leap of faith. You need to wait a few seconds to see if Excel is actually opening or not. In my experience I can hear JAWS saying opening Excel in about 5 to 8 seconds.
How to do this:
My focus was on the viewer, and JAWS was not reading anything to me.
I pressed ALT, then O, then waited 5 to 8 seconds. Then I heard JAWS say “opening Excel”.
I hope this helps!
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