Introduction to AWARE
AWARE VR is a case management web application. Users will access AWARE with a web browser, the recommended program is Internet Explorer.
What is a web application?
The term web application is somewhat broad, and it might refer to mobile apps, client based apps, and browser based apps. AWARE is a browser based app.
According to PCmag.com’s definition of a web application, “An application in which all or some parts of the software are downloaded from the Web each time it is run.” Further, “In a browser-based Web application, JavaScript instructions are contained within the Web page that is retrieved from a website. Combined with the HTML code that determines the visual layout and the CSS style sheet, the HTML, JavaScript and CSS are executed via the browser. In addition, processing at the server side is often widely performed to access databases and other networks. The data for a Web application may be stored locally or on the Web, or in both locations.”
What does AWARE do?
AWARE VR is case management software that allows users to do case entry, status tracking, developing plans, serving participants, and case completion.
Using AWARE with JAWS
As outlined above, AWARE is a browser based application. This means we’ll be using our web browsing skills for JAWS to successfully use AWARE. If you’re not confident in your ability to web browse with JAWS, I recommend working through the guides below before continuing.
| Guide | Concepts Covered |
| Web Browsing with JAWS | Introduction to JAWS and HTML, beginner browser shortcuts, navigating by headings, links, and forms. |
| Advanced Web Browsing with JAWS | Advanced browser shortcuts, virtual html feature list, HTML Tables, Forms, and Frames. |
Further, AWARE has built-in functionality designed for screen reader users. More, unlike a typical website, the best way to have success with AWARE will be through memorization. Learning the placement and makeup of specific pages will be critical for efficiency, clarity, and avoiding frustration. Unlike other websites that will constantly have changes in their content and layout, the AWARE pages should be more or less static.
Basic Navigation
| As you likely know, webpages are typically very long and complex documents. We won’t typically want to read a given page from beginning to end. Instead, we’ll navigate around the page to find the relevant fields we need. | |
| Keyboard Command | Function |
| Move to next/ previous element. | Up and Down Arrow |
| Move to next/ previous form control or link. | Tab and Shift + Tab |
Form Navigation
| A large part of aware will involve navigating from form field to form field. The easiest way to work with form fields on the web is to simply tab between them. However, bringing up the form list and utilizing quick keys will also be important. | |
| Keyboard Command | Function |
| Open Form List Dialog | Insert + F5 |
| Move to next/ previous link or form control | Tab and Shift + Tab |
| Expand (open) combo box | Alt + Down Arrow |
| Move to next/ previous combo box | C and Shift + C |
| Move to next edit/ previous field | E and Shift + E |
| Move to next/ previous check box | X and Shift + X |
| Move to next/ previous button. Used on pages with Attachments grid. | B and Shift + B |
Table Navigation
| Keyboard Command | Function |
| Skip grid header rows and go to first data row. | Alt + K (on grids) |
| Move to next/ previous table. Listen for name of table plus “with n records” to move to a table on the page. For example, JAWS says “Case Management with 14 records” when you press T on the Case Management page. | T and Shift + T |
| Read next row | Windows Key + Alt + Down Arrow |
| Read previous row | Windows Key + Alt + Up Arrow |
| Read cell to left without moving cursor | Windows Key + Alt + Left Arrow |
| Read cell to right without moving cursor | Windows Key + Alt + Right Arrow |
| Read current row | Windows Key + NumPad 5 |
| Move down one cell | Control + Alt + Down Arrow or NumPad 2 |
| Move left one cell | Control + Alt + Left Arrow or NumPad 4 |
| Move right one cell | Control + Alt + Right Arrow or NumPad 6 |
| Move up one cell | Control + Alt + Up Arrow or NumPad 8 |
| Listen to cell you are in | Control + Alt + NumPad 5 |
Link Navigation
| Like all webpages, links are important. However, AWARE offers special functionality with links. AWARE allows a variety of Keyboard shortcuts which utilize the Alt key. While you don’t need to utilze the links list to use the Keyboard commands, these features are all links. So, when we have AWARE Keyboard commands available, we will find them on the link list. | |
| Keyboard Command | Function |
| Open the Links List Dialog | Insert + F7 |
| Move to next/ previous unvisited link | U and Shift + U |
| Move to next/ previous visited link | V and Shift + V |
Other Helpful Keystrokes
| Keyboard Command | Function |
| Repeat form Control | Insert + Tab |
| Read title bar of current window | Insert + T |
| Update JAWS screen | Insert + Escape |
| Find text on page using JAWS Find | Control + F |
Your First Log on…
Settings for screen readers
- From the AWARE landing page (the page you find immediately after logging in), go to Preferences. This will open a new window.
- On the Preferences page, go to the heading for Accessibility.
- Navigate to the screen reader check box and make sure that it is checked. This will optimize your AWARE interface for use with a screen reader.
- Press Alt + F, then enter to save your settings. This will close the current window and return you to the previous Internet Explorer Window (the one with the AWARE landing page).
Dealing with notifications
Internet Explorer displays a Notification bar at the bottom of the screen asking you to confirm an action on an Aware page. For example, you may encounter the notification bar when you print a report or letter in RTF/Word, Excel or PDF or when you open an attachment. The Notification bar typically has Open, Save, Cancel and/or Close buttons.
Internet Explorer supports Alt + N to access the Notification bar.
Unfortunately, most pages in Aware already use Alt + N for the New Activity link button, which takes precedence and prevents you from accessing the Notification bar. To work around this conflict, you can use either of the following options:
Option 1: F6 key
- Press the F6 key. The focus moves to the first button in the Notification bar.
- Use tab or arrow keys to move between buttons.
- Press enter or spacebar to execute the button.
Option 2: View downloads dialog
- Press Ctrl + J to option the View Downloads dialog box.
- Use tab or arrow keys to move between buttons.
- Press enter or spacebar to execute the button.
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