WordPress
with JAWS For Windows
By
CathyAnne Murtha
www.blind.training
cathy@blindtraining.com
© Copyright 2025 CathyAnne Murtha. All Rights Reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
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Access Technology Institute, LLC
PO Box 90812
Tucson, AZ 85752
cathy@blind.training
www.blind.training
WordPress is an open-source content management system. It includes all
the tools needed to build a website that is both accessible and visually
appealing.
WordPress is highly customizable. With its built-in features and
community-created plugins, it supports anything from a cozy place to share
poetry to an online store, nonprofit site, or educational hub.
We’ll explore the WordPress Dashboard and configure settings that
personalize your website: site title, tagline, homepage, and more
Pages and posts are the foundation of every WordPress site. With
customization complete, it’s time to have fun. We’ll create and navigate
blocks, pages, and posts.
Welcome to WordPress.
Contents
Until you add a login widget, select a theme with login controls, or
install a plugin, log in to your website using the wp-login.php page. Add this
page name to the end of your base URL.
For example, type:
www.yourdomain.com/wp-login.php
If you’re using a subdomain, enter the full subdomain address followed
by the login page.
For example:
https://blog.yourdomain.com/wp-login.php
Replace yourdomain with your actual website address.
This page logs you directly into the WordPress Dashboard.
Use the Dashboard to manage your site’s appearance and content.
Since we’re here, let’s give your site a splash of personality by
customizing a few general options.
The WordPress Dashboard Display is divided into three sections:
The toolbar spans the display horizontally at the top of the webpage. It
contains frequently accessed tools and contextual controls.
The Admin Panel, also called the Navigation Menu, is on the left side of
the webpage. It has administrative tools organized in menus.
The Content Area is on the right side of the page. This is where you
access admin settings and features.
This is the interface that greets you upon login. Practice navigating
these Dashboard elements, you’ll spend a lot of time here. Make yourself at
home.
The WordPress toolbar is at the top of the window. It spans the display
horizontally and includes both permanent locations and controls contextual to
the focused web page. For example: An edit button is available on user-created
pages.
Navigate to the toolbar using the JAWS links list with the “Skip to
Toolbar” link. JAWS may not echo the cursor movement, but focus is moved to the
toolbar.
Read the focused control. JAWS echoes the page title. This is a
temporary HTML element that disappears when you navigate to the first actual
toolbar control.
The toolbar controls are:
WordPress plugins may add toolbar options. These follow the static
controls.
We’ll discuss these controls later.
You are your website’s administrator. Manage website settings, plugins,
pages, posts, and more in the WordPress Admin Panel.
“Admin Panel” and “Navigation Menu” are both used in mainstream
documentation.
The Admin Panel is a vertical list on the left side of the window. The
Navigation Menu has administration menus. Access Admin menu options through the
JAWS links list.
The links list is the easiest way to load Navigation Menu options.
The Content Area is on the right side of the display. Until you
configure your website, the Content Area loads the default WordPress welcome
page.
When you activate an Admin Menu or Toolbar option, related content loads
into the Content Area.
Navigate to the Content Area with a WordPress “Skip Link.” We’ll discuss
these links in detail next.
To navigate to the Content Area:
Navigate the Content Area the same way you navigate any web page. It’s a
labeled region, easily accessed with a Skip Link.
WordPress Skip Links are temporary links at the top of the page. They
are only available when the page loads, and any navigation hides the links. You
can reload the page to make them visible and use them.
There are two Skip Links:
Access these links when a page first loads or through the JAWS links
list.
When a page loads (Press F5 to reload a page):
Or open the JAWS links list and activate a Skip Link.
Skip Links are always in the links list. They are hidden on the screen,
but JAWS recognizes the links and lists them.
Skip Links move focus to a familiar location when you need to find your
bearings.
The Admin Menu “General Settings” option opens a page where you define
your website’s identity. Christen your site with a name (champagne optional),
add a tagline, and more.
General Settings can be edited at your leisure. If a name feels wrong,
change it. Website administrators have the power.
Open General Settings in the links list:
The “General Settings” web page opens.
General Settings load in the Content Area. Activate “Skip to Main Content.”
Focus is placed at the top of the Content Area.
WordPress and plugin alerts are located above the page content and
controls. Navigate WordPress pages the same way you navigate other webpages.
Navigate the form controls with JAWS Navigation Quick Keys.
Configure the following:
Activate “Save Changes” to save and apply your changes. Your website has
a title! Check out the title bar
WordPress is highly customizable. You can choose a “static” first page
from which your website flows, or a “blog-style” homepage that shows your most
recent post with an index of earlier posts.
If you prefer, assign a Home page and a separate blog page. You can link
to the blog page from the Home page or add it to your site menu.
You control your site’s content structure through WordPress settings.
WordPress is installed with a “Home Page” and a “Sample Page.”
We’ll use these pages to explore WordPress “Reading” settings. Reading
settings control how your site is presented to visitors.
You can choose a display style and change it at any time. WordPress
displays pages and posts exactly where you assign them.
Themes, widgets, and Reading options change how content is presented.
WordPress adapts automatically to reflect those changes.
Open the JAWS links list and activate “Reading.”
When a WordPress page opens, focus is placed at the top-left corner of
the screen.
Use the Skip Link to access Reading Settings. This step applies to every
WordPress page. To avoid repetition, I won’t mention it again.
Configure the following:
When you select “Static Page,” two combo boxes assign a Home page and a
Posts page:
You can change these settings at any time.
The remaining options are:
Activate “Save” to apply the settings.
Your website layout is active, and you’re ready to create content.
A post is a time-stamped blog entry. New posts are added to the top of
the blog page.
You selected a blog page in the “Reading” settings. We chose “Sample
Page.” You can change the blog page anytime by selecting a different one in
Reading Settings.
Posts aren’t inserted into the page like static text you type or read.
The blog page is actually empty. WordPress dynamically
loads the content using templates and a database. When you switch the blog
page, WordPress moves the post display to the new page. It’s mysterious,
magical, and fascinating.
Posts are:
Posts can be about anything you can imagine:
Blogs don’t have to be one cohesive topic. Mix, match, ramble, bloviate,
and enjoy sharing your thoughts or activities with readers across the globe.
Pages are WordPress documents that are permanent or “evergreen,” aside
from occasional updates.
They are linked to other pages or the site menu and aren’t dynamically
displayed.
Pages aren’t tagged or categorized, and they don’t show the time stamp
or author.
Pages are static and include:
You can choose to have a site based on pages, posts, or a mix of both.
It all starts with your first page or post. Which, we’ll create next.
Make sure focus is on the WordPress Dashboard. The Dashboard is always
accessed with the JAWS links list.
Use the links list to add a new page or post:
A “New Post” or “New Page” opens in the Content Area.
WordPress may open a small window with WordPress post tips. These tip
windows will pop up as you access new WordPress features.
To close a tip window:
The tip window may cause JAWS to lose focus. There are several ways to
regain focus.
You can:
Focus is placed on the Post or Page Title.
If your interest is ranking on a Google search, carefully consider the
title. There is an entire subset of the Internet dedicated to post and page
titles. Explore at your peril. Search Engine Optimization is a rabbit hole.
Titles may be changed later, or you can delete the entire page or post
and start fresh. I suggest you save the rabbit hole for another day.
The page or post title is:
Press ENTER to save the Title. Focus is placed on the first content
block.
WordPress uses the Gutenberg Editor that’s based on blocks.
Explore blocks and compose your page or post. When finished, activate
the “Publish” button to save the document. The page or post is published for
your visitors to enjoy.
Let’s discuss blocks.
A block is a digital content container. Each block holds specific data.
“Paragraph” is the default block type.
Blocks can morph into any type needed to hold your website content.
Block types include:
Insert a title, and press ENTER to create a paragraph block.
Type your document text. The paragraph block functions as a standalone
container and can hold millions of characters. Pages are stored in a database
rather than as individual web pages.
The ideal page length depends on your audience:
For sighted and low vision visitors, add paragraph breaks and headings
to define the document.
Use headings, lists, font attributes, and more with WordPress toolbars
and keyboard commands.
Block formatting is managed in a floating toolbar that appears when
sighted users wave their magic mouse. We pin the toolbar to the top of the page
where it’s easily accessed with a WordPress command.
To enable the Top Toolbar:
The floating toolbar is moved to a static location at the top of the
Content Area.
Let’s make a page or post pretty… or professional. It’s the website
administrator’s choice.
When a new page or post is created, focus is on the Title edit box.
Input a title and press ENTER.
Focus moves to the document body. A paragraph block is created and
focused.
Type the document text. The text word-wraps within the block. Press
ENTER to add a new block. “Paragraph” lives up to its name. Each block is a
paragraph.
Repeat these steps to complete the post.
We’ll discuss block types later.
Select block text with Windows text selection commands:
To select all block text:
To select all post content:
Press ANY ARROW KEY to clear selection.
Basic attributes are in the block toolbar but it’s easier to use
familiar keyboard commands.
WordPress has limited font attributes.
They are:
Apply these attributes the same as in word processing programs like
WordPress or Word.
A simple keystroke opens a drop-down list with a pretentious name.
Select a block type in the “Block Inserter Autocomplete,” otherwise known as
the “Slash Command Menu.”
To insert a block from this impressively named menu:
The menu shows commonly used block types. Activate a block type, and the
current block transforms to the selected type.
If you know the block type you want, type the slash command to insert
it. The slash command is a forward slash followed by the block type with no
space
For example:
Activate a block type to transform the current block into your
selection.
The Slash Command Menu inserts common block types. Let’s insert a list.
Create a list block in the Slash Command Menu or with the Slash Command.
The first bullet is inserted. Type the list. Press ENTER twice to end
the list.
Add a list with a formatting autocompletion:
The list block is created and the first bullet inserted. Type and
complete the list.
There are two WordPress toolbars: the Top Toolbar above the document,
and the Block Toolbar, which sighted users manifest with their mouse.
These toolbars were combined when we enabled Top Toolbar mode. Navigate
between them and across each toolbar’s controls.
The toolbar remembers the last accessed control, making it easy to
repeat commands.
To access the Top Toolbar:
Interact with the controls to edit the document or block.
Familiarize yourself with toolbar navigation. The Top Toolbar is a
frequent stop during page and post creation.
WordPress uses HTML terminology to describe lists:
Add numbered lists with a Block Toolbar menu button or a formatting
autocomplete.
In the Block Toolbar:
Remember to navigate toolbar controls with RIGHT and LEFT ARROW. If you
accidentally navigate from the toolbar, reverse navigate or press ALT-F10 to
return focus to the last accessed control.
Locate and activate the “List” menu button. List options are shown on
the toolbar. Press RIGHT and LEFT ARROW to navigate list options.
Choose from:
Since you’re adding a numbered list, activate “ordered.”
The block changes to a numbered list and focus returns to the block.
Insert and complete the list.
Add a numbered list with a formatting autocompletion:
The unordered list block is created and the first bullet inserted. Type
and complete the list.
Navigate blocks with JAWS edit box Navigation Quick Keys or the JAWS
edit box list.
Navigate blocks in browse mode. These Navigation Quick Keys don’t work
in forms mode:
Navigation Quick Keys:
The JAWS Edit Box list:
Manage blocks in the Top Toolbar “Options” menu or with WordPress
keyboard accelerators.
You can duplicate blocks, add a block before or after the focused block,
and delete a block in this menu.
The focused block is the active block that has focus with forms mode
enabled.
The Options menu contains several contextual block-related options.
To access the Options menu:
Open the menu. The block-related options and their keyboard accelerators
are:
Deleted blocks can be recovered with the Windows “Undo” command.
Memorize your favorite commands and visit the toolbar for everything
else.
Two tabs on the right side of the display contain Block and Post or Page
setting controls.
The first tab is labeled “Page” or “Post” based on the open document.
Since we’ve opened a post, I’ll reference “Post” in this topic.
Toggle the Settings Sidebar with a WordPress keyboard accelerator:
JAWS announces the “Editor Settings” region and echoes the focused tab.
Press RIGHT and LEFT ARROW to navigate the tabs and select “Block” or
“Post.” Related settings are located beneath the Sidebar tabs.
Navigate the controls to configure block or post settings.
The Sidebar can remain open. Toggle between the Sidebar and the post
with WordPress keyboard accelerators:
JAWS announces each region as it gains focus. If you go too far,
continue through the cycle. Navigation is cyclical. You can’t get lost.
The regions are:
Practice these commands and become comfortable navigating WordPress
regions. They provide easy access to WordPress tools.
The “Status and Visibility Panel” contains controls that save or publish
the post or page. This panel is located at the top-right of the display.
It is positioned to the right of the Top Toolbar. Navigate past the Top
Toolbar to access it.
There are several buttons in this panel. Access them from the JAWS
Button List. Activate a button in the Button List to place focus on the button
but not perform the action. Activate the button to complete the action.
To publish, preview, or save a post:
Create and publish some sample posts and pages. Remember, pages are
evergreen. They are designed for data that requires only occasional updates
such as an “About” page, product sales, or schedules.
Use these buttons to manage posts.
Access the Home page and Dashboard in the WordPress toolbar.
To open the Home Page:
The Home page opens.
Open the Dashboard in the WordPress toolbar:
Focus moves to the end of the toolbar.
WordPress greets you with a link to your profile page:
Focus moves to the Dashboard.
Every user-created web page has an “Edit” link. Activate this link in
the JAWS links list.
The Home Page is the first page visitors see when they visit your
website.
You can open the assigned Home Page or start fresh. Create a new page
and assign it as your home page.
You are in control.
Configuring your website sets the title, tagline, and design. This is
the scaffold upon which the website is built.
Consider your web page content and theme. Do you want to invite the
public to view your content? What is the site’s purpose? Will you share
recipes, invite discussion, or create “how-to” content?
Make a plan and use the skills in this lesson to create
pages and posts.
We’ll discuss linking content in the next lesson.
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