How to setup NVDA so that sighted users follow navigation?

[Sheik Haq]

hi all,

greetings.

I want instructions to setup NVDA so that sighted users can follow what I am focusing and where I am navigating in the browser.

[Steve Nutt]

If you are highlighted on an object, such as a link, then they should be able to see it. But if you’re not sure if it’s highlighted, just shift tab and tab back to the object and it should be highlighted.

All the best

Steve

 

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[Mobeen Iqbal]

Hi.

If you go to preferences, then settings, then down to vision, there are various options relating to highlighting which I would recommend enabling. Once you do this, NVDA will track where you are on screen by drawing a square around the part where your cursor is.

Very best wishes,

Mo.

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[Mujtaba Merchant]

To help sighted users follow along with your NVDA navigation, you’ll want to enable two specific features: the Focus Highlight (which draws a box around where you are) and the Speech Viewer (which shows the text NVDA is reading).

Here is how you can set this up:

1. Enable Visual Focus Highlighting

This is the most helpful tool for sighted users as it places a colored rectangle around the focused element or the line of text you are reading.

 * Press NVDA + N to open the NVDA menu.

 * Navigate to Preferences > Settings.

 * In the list on the left, select Vision.

 * Check the box that says Enable Highlighting.

 * Ensure Highlight system focus, Highlight navigator object, and Highlight browse mode cursor are all checked.

 * Click Apply or OK.

2. Open the Speech Viewer

Since sighted users often find it hard to keep up with high-speed synthesized speech, the Speech Viewer displays your "speech output" in a floating text window.

 * Press NVDA + N to open the NVDA menu.

 * Navigate to Tools > Speech Viewer.

 * A window will appear showing everything NVDA says.

 * Tip: Check the box inside that window that says Show Speech Viewer on Startup so you don’t have to turn it on every time.

3. Recommended Browser Settings

To make the experience smoother for others while you are in a browser (like Chrome or Firefox):

 * Maximize the Window: Ensure the browser is full-screen so the focus highlights are easier to see.

 * Screen Share Tip: If you are sharing your screen via Zoom or Teams, make sure to check the box "Share Sound" so they can hear the NVDA feedback while they watch the highlights.

Sincerely,

 

Mujtaba Merchant

Bangalore | INDIA

Sent from iPhone ®

 

 

On 15 Jan 2026, at 8:39 PM, Sheik Haq <habee...@gmail.com> wrote:



hi all,

greetings.

I want instructions to setup NVDA so that sighted users can follow what I am focusing and where I am navigating in the browser.

--

[Rui Fontes]

Hello!

Go to NVDA, Preferences, Settings and activate highlight.

Best regards,

Rui Fontes
NVDA portuguese team

[Noelia]

Also, in addition to other recommendation, years ago I get advice from NV Access to provide a course for sighted people, and they recommended something that I found useful, i.e., if NVDA viewer is enabled, ensure that changes from focus mode and navigation mode are spoken instead of getting feedback with a sound:

1. Open the NVDA menu (NVDA+n).

2. Go to Preferences, settings, Browse mode.

3. Ensure that the checkbox about indicating browse and speech mode with sounds is disabled.

Cheers,

Noelia

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[Sarah Alawami]

Hello, turn on highlight mode. It can be found under preferences > visual. I have both of those check boxes selected just in case. I'm not sure that tabbing to a link will actually show up for a sighted user. but the highlight mode works everywhere as far as I'm aware. I also have nvda showing what the screen reader says so they can see it and follow along. I've used this while I'm being trained and if I'm demoing something for a tutorial which a sighted person will use as well.

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[Bhavya shah]

If the OP doesn’t mind, I’d like to add a related question to this thread.

 

When NVDA is running, I have noticed that sighted people using the computer with a mouse struggle to interact with form fields on the web, particularly typing in edit boxes. As a keyboard user, I simply press Enter or otherwise activate focus mode to begin typing inside the edit box. But something in the user flow changes - and throws off - mouse users.

 

Have you seen this issue before? What may be causing this and how can it be resolved? I’d appreciate all your advice.

 

Warmly,

Bhavya Shah | M.S. AI & B.S. Math/CS, Stanford University

LinkedIn | Instagram | Website

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[Andrew Downie]

I just tried that here using a sample form I wrote.  With some guesswork I was able to put the mouse pointer onto two edit fields.  I was careful to make sure NVDA was not on either field.  When I clicked the mouse, NVDA went into focus mode.  On this particular page, then, I cannot replicate the issue.  My form is correctly marked up but that is by no means a certainty elsewhere.  If you haven't done so already, it is worth manually switching NVDA into focus mode before letting sighted uses loose with the mouse.

Andrew

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