Blind Tools for the Internet

In hopes of helping those with limited vision, I'm going to post a few hints on how to operate a computer if you are blind. I'm just starting this page, but it will grow as time passes.Our lab is not well equipped for blind students but I will do my best to help.

We have one computer which has the "Jaws" software for controlling the computer.

Here is a link to Freedom Scientific, the company that produces Jaws.

Here is a Wikipedia article about Jaws.

And of course, the instructions for Jaws.

To start Jaws, there is an icon on the desktop. Double click on it and it will start. I don't know how to start this if you are blind since you can't see the icon, but if you need me call me and I will help.

Once Jaws is running it will allow you to navigate to web pages.

Here are a couple of key codes that will help you to do tasks we need to do in the class, which cannot easily be done with Jaws alone:

The Notepad program can be opened using the shortcut: Windows key + r

Open tabs in Internet Explorer: Ctrl + t

Close TAB: Ctrl + w

How to start up Jaws if you can't see the icon: Alt + Ctrl + J

To set this up, Alt + Ctrl + J needs to be assigned to the JAWS icon on the desktop

1. Right click on the desktop JAWS icon and select Properties.
2. Put the cursor in the shortcut key field and then press j.
3. Alt + Ctrl + J will show in the shortcut field after that. Now press OK to close the dialog.

Some Jaws commands

^home = go to the top of the page
tab = go to next link
u = go to unvisited link
v = go to visited link
insert+F = display links
alt+M = go to this link

l = go to list
i = go to list item

Jaws Reading Commands

http://www.freedomscientific.com/Training/Surfs-Up/Reading_Commands.htm

Using Jaws with PUTTY

JAWS has to be in JAWS Cursor mode in order to read the information on the Putty window. To put JAWS in JAWS Cursor mode, do the following steps after you successfully signed on Putty:

  1. Insert + Minus (The zero and the - key on the numpad) to route JAWS to PC.
  2. Now you can move up and down to read the information, one line at a time from the Putty window.
  3. If you want to read from top to bottom, use Ctrl + home to bring the cursor to top of the Putty window, and then down arrow to read.
  4. Anytime if you want to go back the PC Cursor mode so you can input at the command prompt, use the numpad Plus (The plus sign on the numpad).

 

Expert on Jaws: Kelvin Luong luongk@lacitycollege.edu x2283