Job Access With Speech

Job Access With Speech (JAWS) is a powerful screen reader for the Microsoft Windows operating system. It is developed for computer users who are blind or visually impaired, enabling them to access and interact with PC applications using synthesized speech or a refreshable braille display.

JAWS reads and vocalizes all major user interface elements, including windows, menus, buttons, form fields, dialogs, and system notifications. It also features a specialized mode for web browsing, offering keyboard commands to quickly navigate by headings, links, lists, tables, and other web structures. This allows for efficient access to documents, emails, presentations, and the internet.

The software is highly configurable and includes a wide range of features:

1. Speech and Braille: Includes two multi-lingual synthesizers (Eloquence and Vocalizer Expressive) and provides drivers for all popular refreshable braille displays.
2. Accessibility for Non-Text: Offers a convenient OCR (Optical Character Recognition) feature for image files or inaccessible PDF documents, as well as the Picture Smart service to recognize and describe images.
3. Application Support: Works with Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and many other popular applications.
4. Navigation Tools: Features a Voice Assistant for issuing commands, and tools like Skim Reading and Text Analyzer for improving efficiency.
5. Built-in Utilities: Comes with a free DAISY Player and a full set of DAISY-formatted basic training books.
6. Advanced Customization: A powerful scripting language is available for advanced users to customize the user experience and improve compatibility with specific applications.