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Accessibility

AetherSDR is built to be usable with a screen reader and from the keyboard. This page summarises what works today and how to get help when something doesn't.

Requirements​

AetherSDR uses the platform accessibility interfaces, so it works with the screen reader you already use:

PlatformScreen readers
macOSVoiceOver
WindowsNVDA, Narrator, JAWS
LinuxOrca

Using a screen reader​

What you can expect:

  • Every interactive control has a name (and, where useful, a description), so a screen reader announces "Master volume" or "Dock applet panel left" rather than just "button".
  • Live values are announced. The S-meter and the VFO frequency announce their values as they change. Announcements wait for a value to settle, so tuning across a band doesn't flood you with interim readings.
  • Custom-drawn meters report their values. Meters and indicators that AetherSDR paints itself expose their current reading to the screen reader.
  • Status is given in words, not colour alone. For example, each radio tab in the title bar states its connection state ("link lost" and so on) as text as well as with the coloured dot.
  • Unavailable controls say why. A control your radio or build can't use is dimmed rather than hidden, and the reason is announced along with it (for example, a headphone control on a radio with no headphone output).
  • Notices are announced. For example, pressing a shortcut key while keyboard shortcuts are off gives a "Keyboard shortcuts are off" notice that is announced as well as shown.

Using the keyboard​

  • You can reach controls with Tab and Shift+Tab, including the tabs on the VFO flag (Audio, DSP, mode, X/RIT, DAX).
  • The title bar's radio list ("+") is keyboard reachable, including its search box and per-radio actions.
  • Operating shortcuts (tuning, MOX, PTT hold, band and mode changes) are off by default. Turn them on with Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts; see Keyboard Shortcuts. With them off, keys go to the focused control.
  • On Windows and Linux, Alt+letter opens each menu from the title bar's ☰ button. See Menu Reference.

Reduced motion​

Animated elements, such as those in the About window, hold still when your operating system asks for reduced motion (macOS Reduce motion, Windows animation effects, and the GNOME/KDE equivalents).

Reporting a problem​

Please report accessibility gaps. If something is silent, mislabelled or unreachable from the keyboard, use Help → File an Issue... and say which screen reader and platform you use. See Support and Logging. Ongoing screen-reader work, including JAWS, is tracked in issue #4896.

Known issues​

  • The WAVE waveform scope announces only its name, not its peak, RMS or clip readout (#3959).

Troubleshooting​

Space, the arrow keys or other operating shortcuts do nothing​

Operating keyboard shortcuts are off by default, so keys go to the focused control instead.

  1. Open Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts and turn them on.
  2. See Keyboard Shortcuts for the full list.

Animations still move​

Your operating system is not asking for reduced motion.

  1. Turn on macOS Reduce motion, turn off Windows animation effects, or turn on the GNOME/KDE equivalent.

See also​