It is possible to test Windows screen reader accessibility on a Mac, in a virtual machine such as Parallels, VMWare, or Apple Bootcamp, but you will need a hardware or software workaround to make up for the lack of an Insert key on the Mac, because the Insert key is the main default modifier key used by screen readers on Windows.
Note:
Before trying any of the methods below, you may want to configure NVDA to use 'Laptop' keyboard layout in the NVDA menu (NVDA+n) => Preferences => Keyboard Settings since the desktop layout relies on many keys which do not exist on some Mac keyboards (depending on your computer and/or keyboard model).
That said, if you need to remap keyboard keys on macOS, you can do it with a free, open source app called Karabiner-Elements. Karabiner-Elements is as popular on macOS as AutoHotKey is on Windows 10. It not only gives users a simple GUI for remapping keyboard keys on macOS, it can also be used for more complicated keyboard modifications. For any other app/file which are locked, try to unlock it by unchecking the 'locked' box in 'Get Info' first. If the box is greyed out, run the following in Terminal: cd /Applications sudo chflags noschg 'Karabiner-Elements.app' Then delete it by right click 'Move to Trash'.
Option 1: Hardware
Use an external keyboard that has an insert key. There are many external keyboards you can plugin or that use Bluetooth to connect to your Mac. This option is more expensive, but also more reliable. If you are going to be using Windows screen readers a lot on your Mac, this is probably the best option.
Option 2: Software - SharpKeys
One option to remap an unused key to the missing insert key is by using an open source program called SharpKeys. SharpKeys is a utility that manages a Registry key that allows Windows to remap one key to any other key. Included in the application is a list of common keyboard keys and a Type Key feature to automatically recognize most keyboard keys.
Option 3: Software - Karabiner Elements
For some newer Mac machines with touch bars, SharpKeys may not be the best solution. However, there is an alternate open source program called Karabiner Elements that is a powerful and stable keyboard customizer that should work if SharpKeys doesn't.
Bonus NVDA settings:
By Xah Lee. Date: . Last updated: .
Here's a guide of keyboard shortcut and automations tools for the Mac.
I created aDvorak Keyboard Layoutusing ResEdit on Mac back in 1992, and been using QuicKeys back then, it was the best automation tool. Also many app launchers and keyboard tools over the decades that came and went.On this page, i only list the latest ones that's still available.
Karabiner AppSwap ModifiersKarabiner-Elements
Karabiner-Elements (was known as KeyRemap4MacBook) lets you do advanced key remapping. How to run mac apps on windows 10.
Download at[Karabiner-Elements At https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/ ]
Karabiner is very advanced. You can:
Change Keyboard Shortcut in App
Mac OS X since 10.4 (year 2005) lets you change keyboard shortcut in a specific app.
Go to System Preferences, Keyboard and Mouse, Keyboard Shortcuts. Then click the + sign add button.
Note: This mechanism is not very flexible, because:
Suppose you have a gaming mouse,and you've set buttons to do copy and paste, across any computer running macOS.But you've also madeF2 as copy on your home Mac, so you can do them easily from keyboard too.Now, your mouse copy button don't work anymore, because⌘command+cno longer works.
Programable Keyboards
Get a programable keyboard with onboard memory. This is the best solution.Because you can plug the keyboard in any computer and it'll work with your settings.
See Programable Keyboards with Onboard Memory
or, get a programable keypad.
App Launcher
App launchers are primarily designed to launch apps, open files, run scripts.You set a key to do them, or, a hotkey that pops up a dialog, then type any letter to launch or search.
Quicksilver. A app launcher. Assign hotkey to launch/switch/open apps or files. The hotkey can be single key (For example, F1) or combo-key (For example, ⌘command+F1).
Alfred Automation ToolHammerspoon Automation Tool
Using lua as scripting language.
Keyboard MaestroText Editor Key BehaviorKarabiner App For Mac Windows 10
aka
DefaultKeyBinding.dict
This is macOS's system-wide mechanism, for creating keybinding to control cursor movement or editing operations.
See: macOS: Create Custom Keyboard Layout https://mqwvhk.weebly.com/blog/download-videos-mac-app.
USB Overdrive
USB Overdrive is low-level USB tool. It lets you remap key or mouse buttons at USB level.
Excellent.
[USB Overdrive By Alessandro Levi Montalcini. At http://www.usboverdrive.com/USBOverdrive/News.html ]
View Keypress and Keycode
Install[Karabiner-Elements At https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/ ]
It'll also install a “Karabiner-EventViewer”. It's in your Applications folder.
Launch it, and press key or mouse button and it'll show the keycode.
ControllerMate
[ControllerMate At http://www.orderedbytes.com/controllermate/. Commercial. USB interface mapper. Seems to let you remap any USB input device's signals in flexible ways, including mouse.]
[review of ControllerMate by Jonny, 2017-02-27.]
I've been using ControllerMate for several years now and I have to saythat it is really an amazing and extremely powerful piece of software,and very flexible! The developer is also very quick to respond to questionson the forum and to come up with solutions which require coding (custompatches or add ons to download, or updates to download- depending on thesituation). There is a bit of a learning curve! And while the interfaceis logical and straightforward, getting used to the basic underlying logicbehind it all takes some time. But I can't even begin to explain all theunique and creative things you can do with it.
https://mqwvhk.weebly.com/blog/app-to-connect-mac-to-samsung-smart-tv. But I'll give a could examples.. I quite easily was able to switcharound and re-program lots keys on my keyboard (KM0Z1-5N6P and was ableto physically switch the keys around as well to match), I also did somemore complicated reprogramming using the Apps/Menu key almost like a newmodifier, mainly to launch apps but also to access the higher Fn-keys (adding10 to what's printed on the keyboard — only up to F20 though which he saysis the MacOS limit).
Change open app mac os x. I also customized my trackball so that if I double-middle-click-hold the ball becomes an any direction scroll “ball”.
Karabiner App Mac Download
Another major product was creating a very unique, customized programmingfor a Logitech G13. I did use the native software for just a couple offunctions- basically for setting up the backlight colors for the various“pages” and configuring the applets. One cool thing I did that I use allthe time is to setup the joystick to switch “Spaces” (Mission Control),and to move windows between my multiple monitors, and to move windows between“Spaces” depending on which of the adjacent button(s) I'm holding. It'sSUPER easy and convenient! I also use those buttons (pretty much designedto be mouse buttons) as shift-life modifiers to access deeper levels ofthe closer buttons (in addition to and unique for the 3 ‘main’ pages whichare built in). In some cases I set them up to trigger regular hotkeys,sometimes I create custom hotkeys with the keyboard control panel (typicallyusing combos involving keys that aren't even on my keyboard or that arevery difficult to type), and sometimes I have them trigger AppleScriptsthat native commands or use GUI control but only if the app is alreadyrunning.
Honestly that barely even scratches the surface of all the things Iknow that ControllerMate can do which is only a fraction of what it canreally do!
Karabiner Mac Download![]() Karabiner App For Macbook
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