Screen reader cheat sheet

The keys you need for this workshop, for NVDA on Windows and VoiceOver on macOS.

NVDA (Windows)

Download it free from nvaccess.org/download. A portable copy works without installing.
Start: Ctrl+Alt+N. Quit: NVDA+Q.
The NVDA key is Insert by default (or Caps Lock if you choose the laptop layout).
Stop speech: Ctrl. Use Chrome, Edge or Firefox.
Tip: turn on Speech Viewer (NVDA menu → Tools) to see what NVDA says.

Action	Keys
Next / previous heading	`H` / `Shift`+`H`
Next heading at level 1–6	`1` … `6` (add `Shift` for previous)
Next / previous landmark	`D` / `Shift`+`D`
Elements list (headings, landmarks, links)	`NVDA`+`F7`
Read from here	`NVDA`+`↓`
Next / previous line	`↓` / `↑`
Switch browse / focus mode	`NVDA`+`Space`

Turn on and off: Cmd+F5 (or triple-press Touch ID).
The VO key is Control+Option (or Caps Lock if enabled in VoiceOver Utility).
Stop speech: Control. Use Safari for the most reliable results.
Tip: turn on Quick Nav (←+→ together) to use single-key navigation without VO.
Tip: in Safari, enable Press Tab to highlight each item (Settings → Advanced) to tab to links.

Action	Keys
Rotor (headings, landmarks, links, form controls)	`VO`+`U`, then `←`/`→` to change list, `↑`/`↓` to pick, `Return` to go
Next / previous heading	`VO`+`Cmd`+`H` / add `Shift`
Next heading (Quick Nav on)	`H` / `Shift`+`H`; levels with `1` … `6`
Jump to a landmark	Rotor (`VO`+`U`) → Landmarks list
Read from here	`VO`+`A`
Next / previous item	`VO`+`→` / `VO`+`←`

Use the lists first. The headings and landmarks lists show the page’s map in seconds.
Listen for the level. “Heading level 4” right after “heading level 1” means a skipped level.
Listen for duplicates. Two landmarks both called “navigation” can’t be told apart.
Slow down speech while you learn, speed it up later. Nobody expects you to be fast.
Don’t mix up your screen reader and real users’ experience. You are checking structure, not imitating how an expert uses it.