Using Brightspace with JAWS Screenreader

Relevant to: faculty, staff, and students

This article contains information considered accurate at the time of publishing. Technology updates, changes in University security practices, and/or policies and procedures may affect the information in this article - updates to articles are scheduled on a periodic basis and will address any required changes.

Introduction

This article provides guidance for navigating Brightspace using the JAWS screen reader. Instructions are based on current Brightspace and JAWS behavior at the time of publication. Interface updates, browser changes, or assistive technology updates may affect some navigation patterns over time. For the most consistent experience, SUNY Empire recommends using the latest version of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge with JAWS.

For reference, Deque University has a guide to all the JAWS keyboard shortcuts.

This resource was adapted from Marquette University.

Table of Contents

Logging into Brightspace

From your web browser:

  1. Open your web browser and navigate to: https://mylearning.suny.edu
  2. Navigate to the Network Login button and press Enter.
  3. On the login page:
    • Enter your SUNY Empire email address.
    • Navigate to the Next button and press Enter.
  4. Enter your password and activate the Sign In button.
  5. Complete multi-factor authentication using Microsoft Authenticator or another available authentication method.
  6. After authentication completes, Brightspace will open to the My Home page.

Notes: If focus does not automatically move into the username or password field, use the E key to navigate between edit fields.
JAWS may announce “star” while typing passwords to protect privacy.

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Recommended Brightspace Accessibility Settings

Some Brightspace settings can improve the experience for JAWS users.

Open Account Settings

  • From the My Home page, navigate to your profile button.
  • Open the menu and select Account Settings.

Recommended Settings

  1. Video Settings
    • Enable: Optimize video presentation for programmatically driven assistive technologies
  2. Discussions Settings

    • Under Personal Settings:

      • Select Grid View

      • Enable Include original post in reply

    • After making changes, activate Save and Close.

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Using Discussions

Some discussion settings are managed separately within the Discussions tool.

Open Discussions Settings

  • Open a course.
  • Navigate to the Course Menu.
  • Select Discussions.
  • Use the Links List dialog (Insert + F7) to locate and open Settings.

Recommended Discussion Settings

Under Personal Settings:

  • Disable Always show the Discussions List pane
  • Select Grid View
  • Enable Include original post in reply

Under Grid View Settings:

  • Select Unthreaded
  • Disable Show the preview pane

Activate the Save button after updating settings.

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Navigating Course Content

Brightspace content is organized into:

  • Modules: Containers that organize course materials
  • Topics: Individual content items such as pages, assignments, videos, quizzes, or links

Helpful Navigation Strategies

JAWS users may find the following navigation methods helpful:

  • H for headings
  • R for regions/landmarks
  • Tab for interactive controls
  • Insert + F7 for the Links List
  • Insert + F6 for the Headings List
  • Insert + Ctrl + B for the Buttons List

Opening Course Content

  1. From the My Home page, open the desired course.
  2. Navigate to Content.
  3. Locate the desired module.
  4. Open the module to access topics and activities.

Within a module:

  • Use headings to move between sections.
  • Use links to open content items.
  • Use the Next button to move through topics sequentially.

Viewing Content in a Separate Window

Some users prefer opening content in a separate browser window to reduce navigation clutter.

To do this:

  1. Open the Buttons List (Insert + Ctrl + B)
  2. Locate View Content in New Window
  3. Press Enter

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Taking Quizzes

Opening a Quiz

  1. Open the course.
  2. Navigate to Quizzes from the Course Menu.
  3. Locate the desired quiz using:
    • Links navigation
    • Table navigation
    • The Links List dialog (Insert + F7)
  4. Open the quiz and activate Start Quiz.

Navigating Quiz Questions

Most Brightspace quiz questions contain:

  • A question heading
  • Answer choices
  • Radio buttons or checkboxes
  • A Save button

Multiple Choice and True/False Questions

  • Navigate through answer choices using arrow keys.
  • Use the Spacebar to select a radio button or checkbox.

Written Response Questions

For short answer or long answer questions:

  1. Move into the edit field.
  2. Type your response.
  3. Navigate away from the field when complete.

Saving Responses

After answering a question:

  1. Navigate to the Save button.
  2. Press Enter.

Students may also use Save All Responses, though saving after each question is recommended.

Submitting a Quiz

  • Open the Buttons List (Insert + Ctrl + B)
  • Locate Go To Submit Quiz
  • Press Enter
  • Confirm submission on the final page

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Tracking Course Progress

Brightspace may display progress tracking information for modules and activities.

To review progress:

  • Open the course module.
  • Navigate to the progress chart or completion summary.
  • If available, open the chart data table for a text-based version.

Some chart displays may open in a separate browser window.

Important Note

Progress tracking tools and analytics widgets may vary between courses and may behave differently depending on browser and screen reader combinations.

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Additional Accessibility Notes

  • Some third-party tools embedded in Brightspace may have different accessibility support levels.
  • Accessibility can vary depending on browser, operating system, and JAWS version.
  • If a Brightspace activity is inaccessible or difficult to navigate, contact your instructor or the IT Service Desk for support.

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