Basic tasks using a screen reader with Skype for Windows

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The Skype Accessibility content set is a set of content that is available for users with disabilities who wish to learn how to use Skype in conjunction with a screen reader. This article is part of the series of Skype Accessibility content available for users with disabilities. The Skype Support home page provides more general information on how to contact Skype Support.

In order to sign in and communicate with other users, you will need to use a keyboard and a screen reader, such as NVDA, or Narrator, which has been included in Microsoft’s Windows OS as part of its download package. There are a number of features included in the program such as the ability to make calls, communicate through instant messaging (IM), and even set Skype to automatically start up every time you turn on your PC. Please note that the information included in this article is intended for use with the most recent version of Skype at the time this article was written. The following link will give you more information on how to update Skype if you would like to learn more about how to do it.

Notes:

• If you would like to learn more about keyboard shortcuts in Skype and how to use them, go to What are keyboard shortcuts in Skype and how can I use them?.
• We recommend that you use Skype for Windows (version 15) with NVDA, the built-in screen reader for Windows, as well as Skype for Windows 10 & 11 (version 15) with Narrator, the built-in screen reader for Windows.
• What accessibility features does Skype offer? is a great resource if you would like to find out more about what Skype offers in terms of accessibility features.

Open Skype and sign in

Sign in to Skype for the first time

As soon as you have installed Skype for Windows, you will need to sign in or create an account in order to use it. When you have previously signed into Skype, if you do not wish to have your settings remembered when you sign out, and you would like them to be remembered when you sign back in, then follow the steps below.

1. In order to open Skype, all you have to do is press the Windows logo key and type Skype. Press Enter when you hear the word “Skype.”.
2. If you open Skype for the first time, you will hear a message indicating that you need to sign in or create a new account. Enter the code by pressing the Enter key.
3. If you enter your email address, phone number, or Skype, you will hear the following message. If you would like to hear “Next”, then press Tab after you have typed the name of your Skype account, the phone number, or the email address, then press Enter when you hear “Next”.
   • You can create a new account by pressing Tab until you hear the message “Create a Microsoft account” the next time you wish to do so. After hearing the phrase “Create a Microsoft account.”, simply press the Enter key on your keyboard. During the process of creating a new account, you’ll be guided through the steps that need to be completed.
4. Password is the next field in which we will focus our attention. Once you have entered your password, you will hear the words “Sign in button”, and when you hear that message you will need to press Enter while you hear the message.
5. You will be asked to select your profile picture, microphone, and camera as soon as you open Skype, so that you can make your Skype account as user-friendly as possible. By pressing the Tab key, you will be able to move between the dialog boxes. When you press the Enter key, you will be able to select one of the options from the list by pressing the Enter key.

The Skype sign-in process has now been completed. You can find detailed instructions on how to sign out of Skype in the section in this article titled Sign out of Skype.

Sign in to Skype once you’ve signed out

You will not be prompted to sign in again the next time you open Skype unless you have specifically chosen to sign out of Skype when you sign in for the first time. Skype allows you to sign in with the previous account that you previously created if you have signed out and selected to remember your account settings. If you do not hear the name of your account when you press the Tab key, then press the Enter key to log in. If you hear the name of your account before you press Enter, then you must press the Tab key until you hear it.

In order to sign in to another account, you simply need to press the Tab key until you hear the message “Use another account” followed by Enter. Then press the Enter key once you hear the word “Next,” and you can use the Skype name, email address, or phone number you wish to use by pressing the Tab key until you hear you hear “Next.”. After that, you will then be asked for your password and you will need to press the “Enter” key once you see the “Sign in button.”.

Start Skype automatically when you start Windows

1. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl+comma sign (,) in Skype will open the Settings dialog box when you click the Settings button on the main menu. To continue, press the Tab key until you hear the word “General” and then press the Enter key when you hear the word “Action” on the screen.
2. Press the Tab key when you hear the phrase “Automatically start Skype” until the message appears on the screen.
3. The value can be changed by pressing the Spacebar on your keyboard. It is possible to hear “On” or “Off” with NVDA.
4. By pressing the Escape (Esc) key, you will be able to close the Settings dialog box.

Make and answer a call

1. As soon as you hear “People, groups, and messages” on the Skype main window, press the Enter key on your keyboard, while you are holding down the Tab key on your keyboard.
2. Please type the person’s name, address, and phone number into the text box if you do not know their name, address, or phone number. When you type, a search will be conducted as you type.
3. Press the Tab key repeatedly until you hear the first result in the list of results, if you wish to move to the next page of results. The Down and Up arrow keys can be used to navigate the list if there are more results to be found. The screen reader announces the names of the contacts in real time as you move around the screen as you move around the screen. It will be possible for you to select the person you would like to select by pressing the Enter key on your keyboard.
   • Whenever you try to access the result list for a name or address that you entered, you will hear “Invite to Skype” if there are no results found for the name or address you entered. To send an invitation, simply press the Enter key on your keyboard. If there are no results found, a phone number will appear in place of the search results. When this occurs, you will hear “Call number”, and when you press Enter, you will be able to caWhen you wish to answer a phone call or start a new one, press the keys Ctrl+Shift+P together.dio call, press Ctrl+Shift+P.
4. Ctrl+Shift+K is the shortcut key for starting a video call or toggling the video on or off. Depending on what you hear, the video will either be on or off.
5. Pressing Ctrl+Shift+H will allow you to hang up the call at any time.

Chat via IM

1. You should see a tabbed window at the top of the Skype window that says “People, groups, and messages.” If you hear this message, press Enter on the keyboard.
2. Enter the name of the person, their address, or their phone number in the field provided. During the typing process, the search is carried out.
3. It is possible to move from one result to another using the Tab key on your keyboard, by repeatedly pressing the Tab key until you see the first result displayed on the results page. Using the down and up arrow keys on your keyboard, you can browse the list of results if there are more results. Due to the use of the screen reader, it is possible to hear the contacts as you move around on the screen.
   Enter the name of the person you are selecting to select them. It is now time for you to focus your attention on the text input field so that you can type in your message in this field.
4. To send a message, enter the message in the text box and press Enter when you are finished.
5. Any messages you receive will be read aloud to you by the screen reader. As long as your focus remains on the text input field, as you progress through the process, you will be able to type and send more messages as long as you stay focused on it.

Sign out of Skype

1. In order to exit Skype, you have to press Alt+F to bring up the File menu in the main Skype window, and then you have to select S in order to leave Skype.
2. There will be a dialog box that asks if you want to remember your settings for this account and application. When you hear the “Yes” or “No” button, press the Tab key until you hear the “Yes” or “No” button, select the one that you want, and then press the Enter key as soon as you hear the “Yes” or “No” button. This way, when you sign out of your Skype account, the application settings and information relating to your account will be remembered by Skype.

Technical support for customers with disabilities

It is very important to Microsoft that our customers have the best experience possible. The Microsoft Disability Answer Desk is available to assist you with technical support if you have questions or concerns about accessibility due to a disability. At Disability Answer Desk, we are trained on making the most of many popular assistive technologies in order to provide our customers with the highest level of support. Our support team is available in English, Spanish, French and American Sign Language. For details on how to contact the Disability Answer Desk for your region, you can visit the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk site.

Frequently Asked Questions 

 

How do you switch screens on Skype?

1. By selecting the, you will be able to. You can switch between the two views by clicking on the switcher.
2. There are a number of options available from the menu on the left, such as Grid view, Speaker view, Together mode, or Large gallery view. For those who prefer to use Together mode, you will need to select your scene first, followed by applying and enabling it for all participants in the chat room.