Jaws
Jaws Screen Reader
Overview
JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is one of the world’s most widely used screen readers, developed by Freedom Scientific. It is designed to help individuals who are blind, deafblind or visually impaired to access digital content on Windows-based computers through speech and braille output. JAWS enables users to navigate and interact with web pages, documents, email, applications, and the operating system entirely by keyboard, without the need for a mouse.
This tool is available to all students and employees through Network Software - Listed under “Accessible Technologies.”
Video
Screen Reading - Reads text on documents, websites, and applications using synthesized speech.
Customizable Settings - Allows users to select Voice, adjusts speech rate, verbosity, Braille output, and more as per their preferences.
Braille Display Support - Allows refreshable braille input and outputs for Users who are deafblind or prefer braille.
Keyboard Navigation - Allows full system and application navigation using its shortcut keyboard commands. That includes landmarks, headings, links, forms, and other semantic HTML elements.
Virtual Cursor - Allows users to read the web page or document line by line.
Web Browser Support - Works only with Windows operating System and supports all Windows Browsers like google chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Edge. It is best compatible with Google chrome
OCR Functionality - Reads accessible PDF documents. Inaccessible images or PDF files can also be read by using built-in Optical Character Recognition.
Compatibility with Microsoft Office 365 - Provides accessible reading and navigation in Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Touchscreen Support - Supports touch gestures on Windows touch screen devices.
Supports Multiple languages - JAWS is available in many languages other than English. It can switch automatically to a different language when reading multilingual content.
JAWS Sharky - Allows users with motor disabilities to navigate the application using voice commands.
JAWS in Fusion - This offers both screen reading features of jaws and the screen magnification features of Zoom text to give the best result to low vision people.
JAWS Shortcut Keys - These Keystrokes help users to navigate and jump from one section to another on the web page much faster and easier.
JAWS Keystrokes (HTML)
Proofread and review instructional materials using speech or Braille output.
Navigate websites and learning platforms to evaluate screen reader accessibility.
Use OCR to test how inaccessible PDF files and image documents are interpreted.
iOS, Linux, Chromebook users since JAWS is Windows only
Users needing integrated magnification (JAWS does not magnify unless paired with ZoomText or Fusion)
Learning curve due to extensive keystrokes and feature depth
Some content may behave differently than with other screen readers, affecting testing consistency
Use JAWS together alongside accessibility checkers to ensure digital resources are accessible for the screen reader user.
Provides full speech and Braille output for blind or low vision users.
Supports ARIA and accessible web navigation with keyboard controls.
Highly customizable settings to suit user needs and reading preferences.
Offers touch screen support and scripting for added flexibility.
General Information
JAWS is available to students through licensing at Virginia Tech. It supports reading, navigation, and interaction with digital content in academic settings.
See the “For Instructors” tab for a list of features available to all users.
Resources
JAWS Keystrokes (PDF)
JAWS Quick Start Guide (PDF)
JAWS Quick Start Guide (text)
JAWS Help System (ZIP file) Note: After unzipping and saving the help files, select JFW.CHM to launch the primary help file.
JAWS Support for ARIA (Word file): ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) is assistive technology markup used by Web content creators to make Web pages more accessible for screen readers. This is done by adding specific ARIA tags and elements to HTML code. Read this document to learn more about JAWS support for ARIA markup.
Cost: Free
Status: Available
How to Access
Instructor/Student:
Go to Virginia Tech Software
Select “Accessibility Software”
Select one of the JAWS (Screen Reading) options and follow the instructions to complete the installation.
If you are installing both JAWS and ZoomText, you can select one of the FUSION options to download both tools.
Get Help
Link to articles, resources, and where to get help (based on who supports the tool).
Still need help? assist@vt.edu
Want to talk with someone at Virginia Tech? Go to the 4Help Portal, sign in, and select Get Help.
Or Schedule a consultation with TLOS.