Introduction
At the Institute of Accessible Technology (IAT), we believe that developers who are blind or have low vision should have full access to powerful coding tools — including both command-line interfaces (CLIs) and integrated development environments (IDEs). This resource page offers guidance, techniques, and practical advice on how to use terminal windows and text-based development tools seamlessly with the NVDA screen reader.
What You’ll Find Inside
- Command-Line Accessibility: Tips for working with command-line tools (e.g., Windows Command Prompt, PowerShell) using NVDA; how to navigate, run commands, and read output non-visually.
- NVDA Add‑Ons for Consoles: Information about NVDA add-ons (such as Console Toolkit) that enhance accessibility in terminal environments, for example, by speaking new console output in real time. Learn more.
- Using IDEs with NVDA: Guidance on setting up and using coding editors or IDEs (like Visual Studio Code) that are compatible with NVDA, including how to navigate project trees, read code, and manage debugging tasks.
- Best Practices & Workflows: Suggestions for structuring your development workflow, organizing code files, using the keyboard efficiently, and integrating assistive tools so that your entire development process is accessible.
- Learning Resources: Curated links to tutorials, walkthroughs, and tools aimed at helping non-visual developers grow their command-line skills and comfort with accessible coding environments.
Why It Matters
Command-line interfaces and IDEs are the backbone of software development — and making them accessible empowers blind or visually impaired coders to fully participate in writing, testing, and maintaining code. By focusing on NVDA-compatible workflows, IAT helps remove the barriers to developing sophisticated, text-rich applications in a way that’s inclusive and productive.
Using Command Prompt (CMD) with NVDA
Visual Studio Code Series
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