Hi,
You'll need to have QuickNav on in order to only use arrow keys when in the
Status menu widgets.
Another method you could use is to get to the Time Machine menu with VO, press
VO-cmd-f5 to bring the mouse and the VO cursor together, then hold down only
the Option key while pressing down th
Once you do VM-M twice to get to the various widgets in the menu bar you
don't have to hold down the VO keys anymore. Just right or left arrow to
find the Time Machine menu. Then up/down until you find "Backup Now".
When you press just the option key you'll find it changes to "Verify
Backup".
