You Ask, We Answer: Four Questions about Using Microsoft Teams with JAWS

Microsoft Teams is a chat-based application widely used for work and school. This Office 365 workspace combines chat capabilities with video meetings, calling, file storage, and application integration.

In February, we held a live webinar that provided an introduction to Microsoft Teams and JAWS. Thanks to your valuable feedback, we are creating a new monthly blog series to answer some of your most common questions.

What Makes JAWS Stop Speaking in Teams?

There are reported issues where the Teams window is resized when navigating away from and back to the application. As a result, JAWS may stop speaking while in Teams.

Freedom Scientific is currently collaborating with Microsoft to resolve this issue. There is a current workaround that should restore speech while in the Teams Window.

Press WINDOWS+UP ARROW followed by WINDOWS+DOWN ARROW, then WINDOWS+UP ARROW again to maximize the application window and restore speech.

How Do You Make and Answer Calls?

Microsoft offers several keyboard commands for making and answering calls in Teams. All commands must be executed from within the Teams application window.

To make a call:

1. Press CTRL+2 to enter the chat area.
2. Press DOWN ARROW to navigate to a chat.
3. Press TAB to locate the list of participants.
4. Select a contact using your arrow keys.

Either start an audio or video call:

• Audio: CTRL+SHIFT+C
• Video: CTRL+SHIFT+U

Use these commands from anywhere in Teams:

• Toggle mute during a call: CTRL+SHIFT+M
• Accept video call: CTRL+SHIFT+A
• Accept audio call: CTRL+SHIFT+S
• Decline call: CTRL+SHIFT+D

How Do You Use the Command Bar?

Use the command bar to search for or execute a specific command. To navigate to the search box, press CTRL+E. Press / to display a list of available commands.

If you know the command you would like to execute, type / followed by the command with no space. For example, follow these steps to call a contact:

1. Type /call.
2. Press the SPACEBAR.
3. Type a contact name, and press ENTER. 
4. Press TAB to send.
5. Press ENTER to execute the call.

How Do You Exit the Teams Document Viewer?

Locate the Back button in the Teams Document Viewer to exit a file and return to the Teams application window. Since you cannot navigate to this button by pressing TAB, the JAWS Virtual PC cursor must be activated. When in the file:

1. Press INSERT+Z to toggle the JAWS Virtual PC Cursor on.
2. Press B to navigate to the Back button, then ENTER to return to the Teams application window.
3. Press INSERT+Z again to toggle the JAWS Virtual PC Cursor off.

Ask a Question

This Q&A blog post is the first in a series. If you have questions about the applications you use at home, for school, or at work, share them with us by leaving a comment on this post or sending an email to training@vispero.com. We look forward to answering your questions.