PowerShell for Screen Reader Users - Complete Curriculum Overview

Welcome! This curriculum teaches you how to use PowerShell (Windows Terminal) as a screen reader user, starting from zero experience and building to professional-level skills.

Last Updated: February 2026
Total Duration: 12-15 hours of instruction + practice
Target Users: Anyone with a screen reader (NVDA, JAWS, or other)

Why Learn PowerShell?

For Everyone

• Speed: Text commands are often faster than clicking through menus
• Automation: Repeat tasks automatically instead of doing them manually
• Precision: Exact control over what your computer does
• Scripting: Create programs that solve real problems

For 3D Printing (Our Focus)

• Batch Operations: Process 100s of 3D models at once
• Accessibility: Many 3D design tools are scriptable
• Reproducibility: Same settings, every time
• Integration: Connect OpenSCAD, slicers, and tools together

For Screen Reader Users Specifically

• Great Accessibility: PowerShell works perfectly with NVDA, JAWS, and others
• No Mouse Needed: Everything is keyboard-based
• Text-Based: Output is naturally readable by screen readers
• Stability: Unlike GUIs, terminal interactions are consistent

Curriculum Structure

Phase 1: Absolute Beginner -> Comfortable User

Goal: You can navigate to any folder and see what’s in it with your screen reader.

Phase 2: Intermediate User -> Power User

Goal: You can create folders, manage files, and combine commands to accomplish complex tasks.

Phase 3: Professional Skills (Beyond Curriculum)

These topics extend beyond this curriculum but are natural next steps:

How to Use This Curriculum

If You’ve Never Used a Terminal Before

Start here and go in order:

1. Read Screen Reader Accessibility Guide completely
2. Do PS-Pre: Your First Terminal exercises
3. Continue with PS-0, PS-1, etc.

Don’t skip steps - each builds on the previous one.

If You’ve Used a Terminal Before (But Not with a Screen Reader)

Start here:

1. Skim Screen Reader Accessibility Guide (you’ll recognize most tips)
2. Quickly review PS-Pre (basics with screen reader focus)
3. Move to PS-0 for deeper learning

If You’re Experienced with Terminal + Screen Reader

You can:

1. Jump to specific lessons you need (PS-2, PS-3, etc.)
2. Use the Quick Reference sections
3. Skip the practice exercises, do the quizzes to verify knowledge

How Each Lesson is Structured

Every Lesson Contains:

1. Learning Objectives - What you’ll be able to do
2. Key Commands - The important ones to memorize
3. Step-by-Step Examples - How to actually do it
4. Practice Exercises - Hands-on work
5. Quiz Questions - Check your understanding
6. Extension Problems - Go deeper if interested

How to Get Through Each Lesson:

1. Read the learning objectives
2. Do the step-by-step examples alongside
3. Complete the practice exercises (critical!)
4. Take the quiz (don’t cheat)
5. Try extension problems if you have time
6. Move to next lesson when quiz is solid

Estimated time: 30-60 minutes per lesson (depends on practice time)

Screen Reader Tips Throughout the Curriculum

Every Lesson Includes:

• [SR] symbols marking screen reader-specific sections
• Tips for NVDA and JAWS users separately
• Solutions for common accessibility issues
• Workarounds for long outputs

Screen Reader Accessibility Guide

This is your companion resource used throughout:

• Detailed NVDA keyboard shortcuts
• Detailed JAWS keyboard shortcuts
• Solutions to common problems
• Pro tips for efficiency

Keep it open or printed as you work through lessons.

Quick Start Guide (First 15 Minutes)

If You Have 15 Minutes Right Now:

1. Open PowerShell (Windows key -> type PowerShell -> Enter)
2. Run these commands:

   pwd
   ls -n
   cd Documents
   pwd
   

3. See how your screen reader reads each output
4. Try Tab completion:
   • Type cd D and press Tab
   • Hear PowerShell auto-complete to Documents (or similar)
5. Create a file:

   echo "I am learning PowerShell" > learning.txt
   cat learning.txt
   

That’s it! You’ve done the key concepts. Now read PS-Pre for the details.

Common Questions Before Starting

Q: Do I have to use PowerShell? What about Command Prompt (cmd.exe)?

A: Command Prompt works, but PowerShell is better. PowerShell is:

• More powerful
• Better for modern tools
• Screen-reader-friendly
• The future of Windows automation

Use PowerShell for this curriculum.

Q: What if I use a different screen reader (not NVDA or JAWS)?

A: The fundamentals work the same. Check your screen reader’s documentation for the equivalent of these commands:

• Read current line
• Read to end of screen
• Read next/previous page

Most screen readers have these features.

Q: I’m intimidated. Is this really for me?

A: YES. This curriculum is specifically designed for people with no terminal experience AND with screen readers. You’ll start with absolute basics. There’s nothing to be afraid of - we’ve written this specifically to make it accessible.

Q: How long will this take?

A: Realistically:

• Minimum (just lessons, no exercises): 5-6 hours
• Normal (lessons + exercises): 12-15 hours
• With extension problems: 18-20+ hours

Spread it over weeks or months. Go at your pace.

Q: What if I forget things?

A: That’s normal and expected. Solutions:

1. Come back to this page for the overview
2. Jump back to that lesson for a quick review
3. Use the quiz questions to self-test
4. Check the Screen Reader Accessibility Guide for troubleshooting

Q: Will this help me with 3D printing?

A: Absolutely. Near the end of the 3dMake curriculum, you’ll use PowerShell to:

• Batch-process 3D models
• Automate slicing tasks
• Run scripts that generate designs
• Integrate tools together

Suggested Study Schedule

Beginner Goal (Weeks 1-2)

Week 1:

• Day 1: Read Screen Reader Accessibility Guide
• Day 2: PS-Pre lesson
• Day 3: PS-0 lesson
• Day 4: Practice PS-0 and PS-1 exercises
• Day 5: PS-1 lesson

Week 2:

• Review PS-0 and PS-1 quizzes
• Practice navigation exercises daily
• Do extension problems for PS-0 and PS-1
• Feel confident with file system navigation

Goal: Know how to navigate to any folder, list its contents, and understand paths.

Intermediate Goal (Weeks 3-5)

Week 3:

• PS-2 lesson (file manipulation)
• Complete exercises
• Take quiz

Week 4:

• PS-3 lesson (piping and output)
• Complete exercises
• Take quiz

Week 5:

• PS-4 and PS-5 lessons
• Complete all quizzes
• Practice combining commands

Goal: Create, modify, and move files. Combine commands for complex tasks.

Advanced Goal (Weeks 6+)

• Review any lessons you need
• Do all extension problems
• Start learning PowerShell scripting
• Begin 3D printing integration

Success Criteria

By the End of PS-1, You Should:

• Know where you are at all times (pwd)
• See what’s around you (ls -n)
• Navigate confidently with your screen reader
• Use Tab completion comfortably
• Understand absolute and relative paths
• Pass the PS-0 and PS-1 quizzes

By the End of PS-3, You Should:

• Create and delete files and folders
• Copy and move files
• Redirect output to files
• Pipe commands together
• Save long outputs to readable files
• Pass all quizzes PS-0 through PS-3

By the End of PS-5, You Should:

• Use command history effectively
• Create aliases and functions
• Understand your PowerShell profile
• Handle screen reader edge cases
• Feel comfortable experimenting
• Pass all quizzes

Important Rules

Rule 1: Always Know Where You Are

Every session, first thing:

pwd

If you don’t know your path, you’ll get lost. Don’t move until you know where you are.

Rule 2: Check Before You Delete

Before deleting anything:

ls -n

Make sure you’re deleting the right thing. Once it’s gone, it’s gone.

Rule 3: Use -n with ls

Always:

ls -n

Never:

ls

The -n (names only) is screen reader friendly. The default view is hard to read.

Rule 4: When Lost, Redirect to a File

If output is confusing:

command-name > output.txt
notepad.exe output.txt

This is always clearer for screen readers than terminal output.

Rule 5: Save Everything You Create

Every exercise, save your work:

mkdir my-practice-folder
cd my-practice-folder

Create a “learning” folder and keep everything there.

Troubleshooting: “Nothing Works!”

If you’re stuck:

1. Can’t hear PowerShell at all?

   • Make sure screen reader is running BEFORE PowerShell
   • Try Alt+Tab to cycle to PowerShell window
   • Restart both screen reader and PowerShell

2. Commands not working?

   • Check spelling carefully
   • Make sure you pressed Enter
   • Try Get-Help command-name

3. Can’t read the output?

   • Redirect to file: command > output.txt
   • Open in Notepad: notepad.exe output.txt
   • This always works

4. Something ran forever?

   • Press Ctrl+C to stop it

5. Completely confused?

   • Go back to PS-Pre and start over
   • Work through every single exercise slowly
   • Ask for help (ask an instructor or peer)

Resources

Official Documentation

• PowerShell Docs: https://docs.microsoft.com/powershell/
• Windows Terminal Docs: https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/terminal/

Screen Reader Guides

• NVDA: https://www.nvaccess.org/documentation/
• JAWS: https://www.freedomscientific.com/support/

Learning Resources

• Microsoft Learn: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/
• PowerShell ISE: Built-in editor (open with ise)

3D Printing Integration

• OpenSCAD Scripting: See 3dMake lessons in this curriculum
• Batch Processing: See PS-3 and PS-5 for real examples

Getting Help

If You’re Stuck:

1. Read the relevant section of Screen Reader Accessibility Guide
2. Try a different approach from the “Solutions” sections
3. Go back one lesson and strengthen those concepts
4. Ask an instructor or peer with specific questions

Before You Ask for Help, Prepare:

1. What command are you running?
2. What do you expect to happen?
3. What actually happened?
4. What error message did you hear?

Example: “I ran cd Desktop but my screen reader said ‘Cannot find path’. I expected to go to the Desktop folder.”

This helps others help you quickly.

Next Steps

1. Right now: Read the Screen Reader Accessibility Guide completely
2. Next session: Start PS-Pre and do all exercises
3. Keep going: One lesson per day/week at your pace
4. Practice: Do exercises, not just read
5. Check yourself: Take the quizzes honestly
6. Celebrate: Each lesson completed is a real skill gained

Final Thoughts

Learning to use PowerShell with a screen reader is absolutely achievable. Many people do it successfully. This curriculum was designed based on real experiences of screen reader users.

You’ve got this. Start with PS-Pre, take it slow, do the exercises, and ask questions when stuck.

Welcome to the PowerShell community!

Curriculum Map (For Reference)

START HERE v
+---- Screen Reader Accessibility Guide (reference throughout)
+---- PS-Pre: Your First Terminal (absolute beginner entry point)
+---- PS-0: Getting Started (paths & navigation foundations)
+---- PS-1: Navigation (comfortable moving around)
+---- PS-2: File & Folder Manipulation (create/move/delete)
+---- PS-3: Input, Output & Piping (chain commands)
+---- PS-4: Environment Variables & Aliases (automation)
+---- PS-5: Filling in the Gaps (profiles & history)
+---- PS_Unit_Test (comprehensive practice & assessment)
        v
    NEXT: 3D Printing Integration Lessons
        v
    ADVANCED: PowerShell Scripting

Questions? Feedback? Stuck? Refer back to this page and the Screen Reader Accessibility Guide. You’ve got everything you need.

Now open PS-Pre and let’s get started!