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Orca

Orca is a free (and open source) screen reader for Linux based computers.

Install

Orca is bundled with Gnome based distributions, such as Ubuntu

Guides, Documentation, and resources

How to find your version

From command line, run orca --version

Modes

Commands

The following are some common commands.

The default Orca modifier key is set to: Insert (or numpad zero)

Common

TaskCommand
Read next focusable itemTab
Read next itemdown arrow
Read previous focusable itemShift + Tab
Read previous itemup arrow

General

TaskCommand
Activate ButtonEnter or Space
Activate LinkEnter
List headingsAlt + shift + H
Exit focus modeOrca + a
Exit focus modeOrca + a
Read current itemKeypad + enter
Report TitleOrca + keypad enter
Toggle speech on and offOrca + S
Toggle between browse and focus modesOrca + A
Turn OffSuper (windows or command key) + Alt + S
Turn OnSuper (windows or command key) + Alt + S
Open Orca settingsOrca + space
Keyboard command while in forms or application mode<keyboard command>

Reading

TaskCommand
Read next focusable itemTab
Read next itemdown arrow
Read previous focusable itemShift + Tab
Read previous itemup arrow
start reading from current positionKey Pad Plus

Forms

TaskCommandNotes
Activate ButtonEnter or Space
Activate Form ControlSpace
Exit focus modeOrca + a
Exit focus modeOrca + a
enter text<enter text>must be in a form or application context, and this is native browser behavior.
select next optionDown arrowmust be in a listbox context, and this is native browser behavior.
select previous optionUp arrowmust be in a listbox context, and this is native browser behavior.
select an optionEntermust be in a listbox context, and this is native browser behavior.
Read next focusable itemTab
Read previous focusable itemShift + Tab
Toggle between browse and focus modesOrca + A
Keyboard command while in forms or application mode<keyboard command>

Tables

TaskCommandNotes
Move to the start of the containershift+commaWill move to the start of the current container (list, table, etc)
Past the end of the containercommaWill move past the end of the current container (list, table, etc)
Move to next columnalt + shift + right arrow
Move to next rowalt + shift + down arrow
Move to previous columnalt + shift + left arrow
Move to previous rowalt + shift + up arrow

Elements

TaskCommandNotes
List headingsAlt + shift + H
previous form fieldshift + tab
Move to the start of the containershift+commaWill move to the start of the current container (list, table, etc)
Past the end of the containercommaWill move past the end of the current container (list, table, etc)
Next block quoteq
Previous block quoteshift + q
Open a list of block quotesalt + shift + q
Next buttonb
previous buttonshfit + b
Open list of buttonsalt + shift + b
Next checkboxx
Previous checkboxshift + x
Open list of checkboxesalt + shift + x
Next combo box (select)c
Previous combo box (select)Shift + c
Open a list of combo boxes (selects)alt + shift + c
Next edit fielde
Previous edit fieldshift + e
Open list of edit fieldsalt + shift + e
Next form fieldTab
Open list of form fieldsalt + shift + f
Next graphicg
Open list of graphicsalt + shift + g
Next headingh
Previous headingshift + h
Next heading of level1-6
Next landmarkm
Previous landmarkshift + m
Open list of landmarksalt + shift + m
Next linkk
Previous linkshift+ k
Open a list of linksalt + shift+ k
Open a list of visited linksalt + shift + v
Next listl
Open list of listsalt + shift + L
Next list itemi
Next paragraphp
Previous paragraphshift + p
Open a list of paragraphsalt + shift + p
Next radio buttonr
Next separators
Next tablet
Next unvisited linku
Next visited linkv