Identifying keyboard shortcuts for an application is mostly an internationalization problem. It’s also not a new problem. A recent (to me) example is the WordPress Gutenberg team starting to discuss keyboard shortcuts in 2017, addressing what will and won’t work across keyboards for different languages. Sight gag for my old…

Adrian Roselli is a web developer, accessibility advocate, and expert in web standards. Readers can learn about web accessibility, inclusive design, and best practices for building accessible websites and applications. With articles, tutorials, and presentations, Adrian Roselli shares  insights and techniques for creating digital experiences that are usable and accessible to everyone.

Adrian Roselli

Screen readers include pass-through commands that allow users to bypass screen reader key bindings and send keystrokes directly to applications. NVDA, JAWS, Narrator, Orca, and VoiceOver each have specific commands for this functionality. Developers shouldn't avoid certain keyboard shortcuts due to screen reader conflicts, but should document pass-through commands for users and inform QA teams to prevent unnecessary bug reports.

Brief Note on Application Keyboard Shortcuts