Navigating the Computer without a Mouse

Picture of a mouse with a line through it.
By: Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com

Using a mouse to navigate the computer can be difficult if not impossible for a student with a visual impairment. Students who continue to have useable vision often prefer to use a mouse to navigate the computer simply because it is familiar to them and it does not require the user to memorize key commands. 
Learning to use the keyboard commands can, however, help students become more efficient and independent on the computer. These shortcut keys and can be beneficial for sighted students and adults as well!

​Navigating Computer w/o a Mouse

These will allow you to use the start menu system to access applications, not on the desktop.
  • To activate the start menu, use the Win Key or CTRL + Esc on non-Win Key keyboards. Select an item from start menu using arrow keys or use the keyboard navigation keys (underlined key on the menu). If you are using Win 2000 or Win XP you may not see the underlined keys, but will need to turn on Menu Navigation Letters.
    • In Windows 2000. Right-click the desktop, and choose Properties (or from the "start" button, select "settings", "control panel", and then "display"). On the "effects" tab, clear the checkbox for "hide keyboard navigation indicators until I use the ALT key."
    • In Windows XP. Right-click the desktop, and choose Properties (or from the "start" button, select "settings" and then "control panel" and then "display"). On the "appearance" tab select the "effects" button and clear the checkbox for "Hide underlined letter for keyboard navigation until I press the ALT key."
    • In Windows Vista. Click Start/Control Panel/Ease of Access Center and select "Make the keyboard easier to use." Locate the item labeled "Make it easier to use keyboard shortcuts" and check the box labeled Underline keyboard shortcuts and access keys.
  • In the programs section of the start menu system, you can use arrow keys or the first letter to move to a selected application or application group - if more than one item begins with the same letter, then type it a second time.
  • If only one item begins with that letter, pressing the letter will activate (run) the selection.
  • If you are using the arrow keys to move to items, the fastest way to the bottom is by pressing the up arrow key, or if at the bottom the fastest way to the top is to press the down arrow key.
  • Use the Enter key to select the program shortcut.
  • Use the right arrow key to open the contents of a folder in the menu system.
  • You can use the ESC key to back out of menu selections.
  • ​You can change the name of the items in the start menu system by highlighting the item and pressing the Context Menu Key and selecting the Rename option. (This could be beneficial as program icons with unique first letters will be activated by pressing the first letter of their name.)

​Navigating to and within the Desktop

  • ​To move the focus (there will be a dotted line around the item that is "in focus") on the desktop and start menu/taskbar/tool tray area. Press the tab key to move in a counterclockwise direction around the screen. You can change the direction to move clockwise by holding down the shift key while pressing the Tab key. 
  • ​To quickly gain focus on the desktop. To quickly gain focus on the desktop, press Win+M - all open windows will close and the focus will be placed on the desktop.
  • An Alternative way to gain focus on the desktop. Press the Win key (or use Ctrl+Esc if you have no Win key) to pop up the start menu. Press ESC to close the start menu and place the focus on the Start button. Press Shift + Tab to move the cursor in a clockwise direction to an undetermined item on the desktop (usually the last icon selected or in focus when the desktop was exited).
  • Move from item to item on the desktop. Use the arrow keys to move focus to the desired object or type the first letter of the item to place the focus on that item. If there are several items beginning with the same letter, repeat typing the letter and the focus will move between items beginning with that letter. 
  • Select (highlight) and de-select a desktop item. When an item on the desktop is in focus, press the spacebar to select the focused object. Press Ctrl+Spacebar to remove the selection highlight. ​

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