If you're using JAWS, there's an easier way to deal with the ribbon in Word:

With Word open, press Ins-v, and type "ribbon" without the quotes into 
the search box.  Arrow down, and you'll see a checkbox for Virtual 
Ribbon Menu.  Check this box.  Now, when you press Alt, you'll be able 
to arrow up and down through the menus without having to use a 
pass-through key.
Hope this helps.
Rachel
On 10/6/2013 11:09 PM, Ana G wrote:
> Thanks for this tip for working with the ribbon in Word.
>
> I'm using Jaws, so initially, when I pressed ins+f10, I got a list of
> the currently running programs, which is not what I wanted. Then I tried
> the pass-through key (ins+3) before I hit ins+F10, and beautiful things
> happened: I got lists of options rather than ribbons. Wheeee!
>
> For it to work, I pressed the key combination for the tab I wanted to
> open (e.g., alt+n for Insert), then the pass-through key (ins+3), then
> ins+f10. I got a list of menu items for each group, and could right-
> then down-arrow to get into the submenu for the group. for example,
> under Insert, the Pages submenu includes Cover Page, Blank Page, and
> Page Break.
>
> Very nifty.
>
> On 10/6/2013 8:31 AM, Cornell Ligon wrote:
>> to add rows in word, insert key plus F-10. Arrow down to add rows.
>>
>> There, you will find option to add rows above or
>>
>> below.
>>
>> HTH!
>>
>> Best Regards, Cornell
>>
>>
>> > Date: Sat, 5 Oct 2013 18:17:36 -0700
>> > From: [log in to unmask]
>> > Subject: Re: [VICUG-L] Ribbons Again
>> > To: [log in to unmask]
>> >
>> > Sherry,
>> >
>> > Once you create a table in Word, a new item is added to the ribbon,
>> > where you can add rows and so on . Just press the alt key to get into
>> > the ribbon and right-arrow past Review and maybe Help. There are
>> > actually two new items. One says something about Design, and the other
>> > says something about Tables. I don't remember which one it is
>> because as
>> > of a few days ago, Jaws 13 doesn't play nice with the ribbon (Word 2010
>> > and Windows 7), and switching screen readers in the middle of a session
>> > is sometimes more trouble than it's worth. Anyway, when you get into
>> the
>> > correct new item, the first couple of options are insert and delete row
>> > or column. That's where you go to add and delete everything from a cell
>> > to a table.
>> >
>> > You asked about a program that turns the ribbon into mentus. I think
>> > that's an option in Jaws.
>> >
>> > Ciao
>> >
>> >
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