JAWS Introduction
Quick Reference Cards | Basic Training Tutorial | HELP Menu | Quick Start | Commands
JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is a screen reading application. JAWS reads text on Windows programs and the Internet. Instead of navigating with the mouse, JAWS uses keystroke combinations to move within and between programs. After you log into the computer, JAWS starts reading the screen automatically.
You have several options to gain proficiency in JAWS.
1. Quick reference cards map out keystrokes for common tasks. These are on Reserve in Braille or printed versions at the Circulation Desk.
2. The JAWS Basic Training Tutorial consists of 5 CD's. These are available at the computer in Turlock, or at the circulation desk at Stockton. A CD player is also available from the circulation desk. Each CD includes several topics. To skip a topic, press the SKIP button on the CD player.
- Disc 1: Configuring Windows XP, Starting JAWS, JAWS user interface, JAWS Help.
- Disk 2: Introduction to Windows, the Windows Explorer, and the Recycle Bin.
- Disc 3: The Windows Find Dialog, the Windows Control Panel, Windows Task Bar Properties, hot-key shortcuts, Windows Find and Replace function, and the Spell Check.
- Disc 4: Printing Windows documents, the various JAWS managers and dictionaries within the JAWS application, and the JAWS Graphics Labeler.
- Disc 5: JAWS in conjunction with the Internet Explorer browser, and the JAWS Cursor.
3. An extensive online HELP menu includes several topics, such as "New Users Start Here" to get you started. Access the HELP menu through the settings menu (ctrl + J, down arrow, Enter).
- Use the arrow keys between help topics
- Open a topic with the F6 key.
- Use Insert + Down Arrow to read the text, and TAB key to navigate among the Back and Forward links within a topic.
- Use F6 again to return to the previous level in Help topics, and the F4 key to close help.
4. Follow these Quick Start instructions below to get started and begin working on an application using JAWS.
- The computer should be on already. Switch on the monitor.
- Ctrl + alt + del to log in. Use your student ID [tab] and your 6-digit birth date as a password.
- Use the spacebar to close the pop-up dialog boxes that appear.
In order to navigate through the various icons on the desktop, press the windows key + M to get focus on the desktop, and then use the arrow keys to navigate to an application icon. Select it with the ENTER key.
- Make sure the number lock is toggled off, because JAWS uses several number pad keys.
- Do not use the Explorer browser Forward and Back buttons on the Toolbar in JAWS.
5. Internet Explorer browser commands. See the quick reference cards for more keystroke combinations.
| Maximize the browser window (or JAWS will not read properly) | Alt + spacebar, then X |
| Stop reading | ctrl |
| Start reading | Insert + 2 |
| List the links on a page | F7 |
| Enter data into a form field | F to focus on the field, then Enter to place cursor in field |
| Find text on the current page | ctrl + f |
| Jump to the next line of text without a link in it | n |
| Jump to the beginning of the page | ctrl + Home |
| Jump to visited links | v |
| Jump to headings | h |
| Turn off JAWS | alt + F4 |
| Turn on JAWS | ctrl + J |
| Change settings | Insert + J |
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