Basic Information for first time JAWS 3.7 users

Starting JAWS and Other Applications

Manually Starting JAWS

1.     Press CTRL+ESC to open the START Menu.

2.     Press P until Programs is selected, then press RIGHT ARROW to open the submenu.

3.     Press J until JAWS 3.7 is selected, and open the submenu.

4.     Press J until JAWS is selected, and press ENTER.

To Exit JAWS

        To shut down JAWS, use INSERT+F4.

To Start Other Applications

1.     Use CTRL+ESC, P to open the Start, Programs Menu. 

2.     Use arrows to move to the application you want to open.

3.     When you have located the correct application, press ENTER to start the application.

Reading Screens and Documents

Many speech functions in JAWS are accessed by using the numeric keypad (NUM PAD) located on the far right side of your keyboard. Usually this NUM PAD is used to type numbers so you must turn off the number lock function. Do this by pressing the NUM LOCK key in the upper left corner of the NUM PAD.

JAWS uses the INSERT key at the bottom left of the NUM PAD in combination with the other keys on this keypad to control what JAWS will speak.

To start JAWS reading the screen, press the key combination INSERT+DOWN ARROW. This is the SayAll command.

To halt speech, press the CTRL key.

Here are the rest of the keystroke combinations using this keypad and the name of the command.

NUM PAD 5                SayCharacter

INSERT+NUM PAD 5............... SayWord

INSERT+NUM PAD 5 twice ............... SpellWord

INSERT+LEFT ARROW............... SayPriorWord

INSERT+RIGHT ARROW............... SayNextWord

INSERT+UP ARROW............... SayLine

INSERT+HOME (7)............... SayToCursor

INSERT+PAGE UP (9)............... SayFrom Cursor

INSERT+PAGE DOWN (3)............... SayBottomLineOfWindow

INSERT+END (1)............... SayTopLineOfWindow

Getting Help

Information and help is provided in a variety of formats and places within JAWS for Windows. For the moment, we will just review some of the best ways to get help for JAWS, Windows, or the application you are using.

INSERT+1............... Keyboard Help

INSERT+H............... Hotkey Help

INSERT+F1............... Screen Sensitive Help

INSERT+F1, F1............... JAWS Help for Applications

INSERT+J, ALT+H ............... JAWS Help Menu

About JAWS Cursors

Navigating through Windows with JAWS is accomplished with cursors. These cursors determine the focus of JAWS speech and are often directly linked with Windows cursors. 

The PC Cursor – Follows Keystrokes

This cursor is linked to the keyboard functions of Windows and applications. This is the cursor that is used when typing information, moving through options in dialog boxes, and selecting options or icons. As you type information, the PC Cursor follows along with each key you press. If you are making a selection in a menu or dialog box, the PC Cursor highlights the currently selected object. The PC Cursor is activated by default when JAWS starts. If you are using a different cursor, pressing NUM PAD PLUS returns you to the PC Cursor. 

The JAWS Cursor – Follows Mouse Pointer

The JAWS Cursor is linked to mouse pointer functions in Windows and other applications. It is used to read information the PC Cursor cannot read, such as toolbar information. The mouse follows along with the JAWS Cursor when it is moved, and you therefore have access to information in an application window that is beyond the scope of the PC Cursor. To activate the JAWS Cursor, press NUM PAD MINUS.

The Virtual PC Cursor – HTML Environment

The virtual PC Cursor mimics the functions of the PC Cursor, but is activated by default when entering an HTML document. The virtual PC Cursor speaks the number of frames in a document, and the number of links in the frame. You can switch between frames, and JAWS reads graphics labeled by alt tags in the HTML code. 

Voice Settings

JAWS for Windows allows you to customize the voices used for speech so you don’t get them confused. 

You can assign different voices for cursor messages, the keyboard voice you hear when you type and even upper case characters.

1.     Press INSERT+J to make the JAWS window active.

2.  Go to the JAWS voice menu by pressing ALT+V.

3.     Select the voice you want to change.

4.  In each case, you are able to select:

·        Rate of Speech

·        Name of the Voice being used

·        The Pitch

·        The Punctuation that is spoken

Getting Around in Windows Using JAWS

Here are a few keystroke commands that allow you to move around and identify where you are while using JAWS.

While on the Desktop with all applications minimized

Toggle to Desktop, Start button,

Quick Launch Bar & Task Bar ..... TAB

Move to previous object in focus..... SHIFT+TAB

Move to next ICON..... ARROWS

When two or more applications are open:

Move between open applications..... ALT+TAB

SayWindowTitle............... INSERT+T

To open a Windows Control Menu ..... ALT+SPACEBAR

Other Helpful Keystrokes

Open the START Menu..... CTRL+ESC or Windows Logo Key

To open Windows Explorer..... Windows Logo Key+E

Minimize all apps..... Windows Logo Key+M or INSERT+F6

General Windows Keystrokes

Get Help      F1

Open the Start Menu      WINDOWS LOGO KEY or CTRL+ESC

Switch between Open Applications      ALT+TAB

Open the Shortcut Menu      APPLICATIONS KEY or SHIFT+F10

Minimize all Windows      WINDOWS LOGO KEY+M

Find a File or Folder from Desktop      F3

Move to First Item on the Taskbar      WINDOWS LOGO KEY+TAB

Open Windows Explorer      WINDOWS LOGO KEY+E

Open Run Dialog      WINDOWS LOGO KEY+R

General windows Application Keystrokes

Exit the Active Application..... ALT+F4

Open the Application Control Menu..... ALT+SPACEBAR

Move to the Menu Bar. ALT

Move between Menus..... ALT, ARROW KEYS

Choose a Menu Item..... ENTER

Open a child Window Control Menu..... ALT+DASH

Cancel or close a Menu..... ESC or ALT

Windows Keystrokes for Working in Dialog Boxes

Move through Dialog Controls      TAB

Move Backward through Dialog Controls      SHIFT+TAB

Move to Another Page      CTRL+TAB

Reverse Direction through Pages      CTRL+SHIFT+TAB

Select/Deselect in List View      SPACEBAR or CTRL+SPACEBAR

Toggle a Check Box ON/OFF      SPACEBAR

Windows Keystrokes for Working with Text

Move One Character Left LEFT ARROW

Move One Character Right      RIGHT ARROW

Move One Word Left      CTRL+LEFT ARROW

Move One Word Right      CTRL+RIGHT ARROW

Move to Beginning of Line      HOME

Move to End of Line      END

Move One Paragraph Up      CTRL+UP ARROW

Move One Paragraph Down      CTRL+DOWN ARROW

Move to Beginning of Document      CTRL+HOME

Move to End of Document      CTRL+END

Scroll Up or Down One Screen      PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN

Select One Character Left      SHIFT+LEFT ARROW

Select One Character Right      SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW

Select One Word Left      CTRL+SHIFT+LEFF ARROW

Select One Word Right      CTRL+SHIFT+RIGHT ARROW

Select to Beginning of Line      SHIFT+HOME

Select to End of Line      SHIFT+END

Select to Beginning of Document      CTRL+SHIFT+HOME

Select to End of Document      CTRL+SHIFT+END

Select All      CTRL+A

Undo      CTRL+Z

Delete Current Character      DELETE

Delete Prior Character      BACKSPACE

Keystrokes for Working in Windows Explorer

Delete Selected File or Folder      DELETE

Rename Selected File or Folder      F2

Refresh Window      F5

Switch Between Tree View and List View      F6 or TAB

Go Up One Folder Level      BACKSPACE

Open File or Folder Properties      ALT+ENTER

Keystrokes for Using the Clipboard

Copy Selected File or Text to Clipboard      CTRL+C

Cut Selected File or Text to Clipboard      CTRL+X

Paste Contents of Clipboard      CTRL+V