Text channels allow you to read/send messages and everyone on the server who has access to them will be able to read and respond to you. This guide contains some useful tips for using them with a screen reader.
Via Mac:
Make sure QuickNav is off for all of these things to work correctly. If on macOS Sonoma, you may need to disable single letter quick nav with VO Q.
In order to read the messages in the channel, press up or down arrow key once you get to the list of messages and you can read through them with your arrow keys.
If you’re in the edit field, Shift Tab twice to get to the message list and use up and down arrows to read through as normal.
When you’re in the edit field, you can of course type your message and press enter to send it as you normally would in most other messaging applications. But when you want to reply to a message directly, or want to edit your message after you’ve sent it, there are a few ways to do that. Let’s discuss key commands first as it is the quickest way.
To reply directly to a message: Find the message you’d like to reply to, then press the letter “R”. You can then type your reply and press enter to send it.
To edit a message: Find the message you’d like to edit, then press the letter “E”. It will appear in the edit field for you to add to or correct as needed. Once you’re done, press enter to resend it. Or, if you’ve changed your mind, press escape to clear it.
You can also find the reply button by using VO right when focused on a message. If focused on a message you sent, an Edit button will also be there when you VO Right.
Alternatively, you can right click (or VO Shift M) on the message and find the reply and edit options in the menu that appears.
When you right click or use VO Shift M, use up and down arrows on their own to select edit or reply etc, then press return to activate that option.
Via Mobile:
To reply directly to a message: Make sure your screen reader is focused on the contents of the message you want to reply to, then double tap and hold and you will find a reply option there.
To edit a message: Make sure your screen reader is focused on the contents of your message, then double tap and hold and you’ll find an edit option.
When you double tap and hold it brings up a context menu similar to what you get when you right click or use VO Shift M on MacOS. You can then swipe left/right to navigate to reply, edit etc, then double tap to activate that option..
Hopefully this helps get you up and running with text channels and makes participating in conversations a little smoother.