JAWS

What does it do?

JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is screen-reading software. It reads aloud (using synthesized speech) any text that is displayed on a PC screen. It provides many useful commands via keystrokes and these allow users with a visual impairment to use programs, edit documents and read web pages.
Under normal circumstances JAWS users will have their own version of the software installed on their own laptop or PC and will have received official training in its use.
However, for the rare occasions when the software is required in the Information Commons / Library, the following information may be useful for anyone required to set it up.

Where can I access it?

• Information Commons Level 1: PC 1058

How do I start it?

Please note: you need to open your applications / documents before opening JAWS

To open JAWS:
Either click on the JAWS icon on the PC desktop
or from the Start menu at the bottom left-hand corner of the PC screen, select:

• Programs
• JAWS [version]
• JAWS

The application icon remains on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen. Click on the icon to see the JAWS toolbar or press Insert + J

How do I access JAWS Help?

1. JAWS Help menu:

• To open the JAWS Help menu:

Activate the JAWS window (Insert + J)
Press Alt + H
Use the Down arrow to the access the Help Topics

• Press Enter
• A Table of Contents will be displayed. Use the Up and Down arrows to navigate through this
• Use the Right Arrow to open the contents of a book (i.e. expand on the topic) within the Table of Contents and the Left Arrow to close the book (i.e. collapse the list of topics)
• Use the Up and Down arrows to move through the list of subheadings within each topic
• Press Enter on the highlighted / spoken topic to access the text and then F6 to read the full Help text which opens in another window

2. Context sensitive help

For help for the screen in which you are working, press Insert + F1

3. Hot Key Help

• For useful JAWS keystrokes, press Insert + H
• For commonly used Windows application keystrokes, press Insert + W

How do I turn on the speech synthesizer?

Press Insert + Down arrow

How do I turn off the speech synthesizer?

Press the Esc key*

How do I close down JAWS?

Press Insert + F4


*Please be aware that some keystrokes work only intermittently (e.g. the Esc key) and some may not work at all due to conflict with the University´s Managed Desktop. The latter applies particularly to the F keys when used alone (i.e. without an additional key such as Insert).

Further information and comments

If you would like further information or wish to comment on any aspect of the service, please contact us by:

• Email: lib-support@sheffield.ac.uk
• Telephone: (0114) 222-7294
• Visiting the Information Commons
• Post: The Diversity Manager, Information Commons, University of Sheffield, 44 Leavygreave Road, Sheffield, S3 7RD
• The feedback form