What is JAWS?

JAWS for Windows is a powerful accessibility solution that reads information on your screen using synthesized speech. JAWS provides many useful commands that make it easier to use programs, edit documents, and read Web pages. With a refreshable braille display, JAWS can also provide braille output in addition to, or instead of, speech. An array of versatile features and customizable options lets you tailor JAWS for your individual needs and preferences.

For information on what you need to use JAWS for Windows on your computer, see System Requirements.

What Users Say About JAWS

Here's what one prominent eye doctor says about using JAWS: "After losing my vision, I realized the importance of assistive technology as part of optometric rehabilitation. I would not be able to perform my duties as the Chief of Low Vision if I didn't have JAWS." - Dr. Bill Takeshita, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, Chief of Low Vision, Center for the Partially Sighted, Los Angeles, CA, Director of Low Vision, Braille Institute of America

Read more user stories and testimonials about JAWS

Read user praise for JAWS Tandem

JAWS Navigation Quick Keys in Microsoft Word

Working in Tandem™ with JAWS

Trainers, technical support specialists, and others will benefit with the new Tandem™ application that has been released with JAWS 10. As unique as an application comes, Tandem lets you access another JAWS computer so that you can provide hands-on technical support, write and distribute scripts from a distance, and conduct remote JAWS training. It consists of a controller system, used by support personnel, distributors, dealers, consultants, and trainers, and a target system, which is a customer’s computer and JAWS application.

Read more about JAWS Tandem on the What's New in JAWS 10 page.

New Fall Workshops for JAWS and MAGic Announced

• Basics of Scripting: Four days for users who want to learn how to begin writing scripts with JAWS and MAGic® screen magnification software
• What's New in JAWS: Two days for those who want to get specific training on the newest JAWS features
• Office 2007 with JAWS and MAGic: Four days for those who are already familiar with JAWS and MAGic but want to get specific training on how to use JAWS and MAGic with Microsoft Office 2007

Visit the workshop schedule page for information on other workshops and to register.

New Accessibility Applications

British-based T&T Consultancy has announced J-Vist, an application that enables JAWS users to make use of the speech input component of Windows Vista®. In 2007, T&T Consultancy launched J-Days, an application that provides high quality and intuitive access to the Microsoft Outlook 2007 calendar. Last year, T&T also released J-Tunes, software that offers music lovers, who either own or do not own one of the Apple iPod® products, a vast variety of features and facilities which turn the computer into an incredible music management system. Visit the T&T Web site for more information about innovative applications.

New Surf's Up Training Posted!

Surf's Up! - Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic, the Freedom Scientific Web pages that explain how to surf the Web with JAWS screen reading software and MAGic screen magnification software, have been updated to help instructors and students take advantage of the new JAWS 10 features. Surf's Up now also includes help with using MAGic screen magnification software on the Web. Pay particular attention to the Forms page. It gives great details for using the new Auto Forms Mode function for JAWS! In addition, you'll find many new and updated exercises for practice throughout.

Visit Surf's Up online or get the Surf's Up downloadable version for use on computers with no Internet connection.

International JAWS

Note: A synthesizer that supports the given language is required for reading some of these pages with JAWS.

• Freedom Scientific European Web site
• Japanese JAWS Web site
• The complete Russian localization of JAWS 8.0
• Sight and Sound Technology (UK)
• Karishma Enterprises for JAWS 9 with a RealSpeak SAPI 5 Hindi voice