11.1 What this section is for

Speaking Access can control the NVDA screen reader using simple voice commands. This is helpful for students who are learning screen reader skills, and for teachers who want a consistent way to guide navigation without needing to memorize keyboard shortcuts.

These commands let a student: start NVDA, stop it, move through items on a page, listen continuously, stop speech instantly, and use a few powerful tools like find text and read screen.

Important: Speaking Access does not control anything inside the NVDA menus or settings screens. When you open the NVDA menu to change options, Speaking Access voice commands do not work there. Use the keyboard (or a teacher/assistant) to adjust NVDA’s own menu settings.

Reminder: when using a screen reader, you are mostly working by listening. Take your time. It is completely normal to repeat a command or move back and forth until it feels familiar.

11.2 Open and close NVDA

These two commands turn the NVDA screen reader on and off. If NVDA is not running, you will not hear screen reader speech.

• Open Screen Reader — activates NVDA
• Close Screen Reader — deactivates NVDA

Tip: In a classroom or training session, it’s a good idea to start with NVDA open, so the student immediately hears feedback as they move around.

11.3 Move through items (Next Key / Previous Key)

On websites and many apps, moving through items is often done with the Tab key. Speaking Access turns that into two easy voice commands:

• Next Key — moves forward (like pressing Tab)
• Previous Key — moves backward (like pressing Shift + Tab)

This is one of the most important skills for forms and menus. Students can use it to move between links, buttons, edit boxes, and other controls.

11.4 Reading commands (Start Reading / Stop Reading)

Sometimes a student just wants NVDA to read without constantly navigating. These commands are perfect for that.

• Start Reading — NVDA reads continuously from the current position
• Stop Reading — stops continuous reading

This is useful when the student reaches a paragraph, a story section, or a set of instructions and wants to listen all the way through.

11.5 Stop NVDA quickly (Stop / Stop Talking)

There will be times when NVDA is speaking and the student needs it to stop immediately. These two commands are the fastest way to regain control.

• Stop — quickest way to stop NVDA
• Stop Talking — stops whatever NVDA is currently saying

If a student feels overwhelmed by speech, teach them to use Stop right away. That one skill alone can reduce frustration a lot.

11.6 Helpful NVDA tools (Find Text, Speak Title, Read Screen)

These commands give students extra power when they are exploring a website or app. They can quickly figure out what they are in, find content, or have NVDA read controls.

• Find Text — asks NVDA to find a phrase on the current page
• Speak Title — reads the title of the current application
• Read Screen — reads each control in the current application

Teacher tip: Speak Title is great when students get lost and you want them to confirm which program they are actually in (browser, email, document, etc.).

11.7 Adjust speech rate (faster / slower)

Every student prefers a different speaking speed. Some beginners need slower speech at first, and some advanced users like it fast. These two commands let the student change NVDA’s rate any time.

• Increase Speech Rate — makes NVDA talk faster
• Decrease Speech Rate — makes NVDA talk slower

Tip: It’s normal to adjust the speech rate during training. Start slower while learning navigation, then gradually speed it up once the student feels confident.