Jaws Screen Reader

by Carmen Willings
teachingvisuallyimpaired.com
​Updated June 27, 2025
JAWS (Job Access With Speech) by Freedom Scientific is one of the most powerful and widely used commercial screen readers for Windows. It enables individuals who are blind or visually impaired to access and interact with digital content using speech and/or braille output. JAWS supports a broad range of applications, making it ideal for education, employment, and everyday computing.

Key Features and Functionalities

  • ​Speech and Braille Output. JAWS provides real-time auditory feedback through synthesized speech and supports more than 50 refreshable braille displays. Users can navigate documents, applications, and web pages with either output method—or both simultaneously.
  • Document and Web Reading. JAWS can read and navigate a wide variety of document formats, including Word, PDF (with built-in OCR for inaccessible PDFs), Excel, PowerPoint, and HTML. It provides tools for efficient web navigation using semantic elements like headings, links, landmarks, and ARIA regions.
  • Skim Reading and Text Analyzer. These productivity tools help users quickly scan documents for structure and relevance:
    • Skim Reading enables quick browsing by reading the first few words of each paragraph or sentence.
    • Text Analyzer identifies formatting issues, extra spaces, or missing punctuation in documents—helpful for editing and proofreading.
  • Web Browsing Keystrokes. JAWS uses a robust set of keyboard commands to access and interact with web content efficiently. Common navigation commands include:
    • H for headings
    • Tab to move through links or form fields
    • Insert + F7 for a list of links
    • Insert + F6 for headings
    • Insert + F5 for form elements
  • JAWS operates in two modes:
    • Forms Mode (for typing and interacting with fields)
    • Virtual Cursor Mode (for browsing like a document)
  • Web Form Accessibility. JAWS supports form navigation and submission on web pages. It announces field types, instructions, and error messages, helping users independently fill out and submit forms for school, employment, and daily tasks.
  • Mouse and Touch Support. In addition to keyboard navigation, JAWS supports mouse simulation and touch gestures on compatible touchscreen laptops and tablets running Windows 10 or 11. This is especially useful for users transitioning from sighted interaction.
  • OCR (Optical Character Recognition). Built-in OCR allows users to access text in inaccessible PDFs or images. Press Insert + Space, then O, then D to use Convenient OCR on a document or screen image.
  • Daisy and EPUB Format Support. JAWS supports DAISY and EPUB file formats via integration with reading tools like FSReader, making it possible to access textbooks, manuals, and leisure reading in accessible formats.
  • Script Customization. JAWS offers advanced scripting capabilities for customizing how specific applications behave. This is particularly useful in work environments where software might not be fully accessible by default.

​Pros and Cons

Pros:
  • Industry-standard screen reader with robust support
  • Excellent compatibility with Microsoft Office, browsers, and PDF
  • Regular updates and new features
  • Extensive braille display support
  • Strong documentation and technical support
  • Built-in OCR and scripting for customization
Cons:
  • Cost: JAWS is expensive, with annual licenses starting around $95/year for home use (or $1,000+ for a perpetual license), which can be cost-prohibitive without third-party funding.
  • Learning Curve: Due to its powerful features, JAWS may be overwhelming for beginners without structured instruction.
  • Limited macOS or Linux support: JAWS is Windows-only. Mac users must use VoiceOver.

​Pro Tip:

​If your student uses JAWS at school, consider using FSReader for reading DAISY books and FS Clipboard for capturing screen text—great tools for literacy and accessibility in educational settings.

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