JAWS - Create a JAWS startup hotkey

JAWS - Create a JAWS startup hotkey

Problem

A JAWS would like to set up a JAWS startup hotkey, this can be useful under the following circumstances:
  1. When JAWS speech appears to quite without warning and doesn't come back.
  2. You wish to temporarily remove JAWS from memory to allow a sighted colleague to work on the machine without JAWS.

Applies to

  1. JAWS

Resolution

Please follow either set of instructions to set up a JAWS shortcut key.

Using a mouse

  1. Minimize all apps to view the desktop.
  2. Right click the JAWS icon for the version being used.
  3. Then choose "Properties" in the context menu.
  4. Then click in the "Shortcut key" edit box.
  5. Type in a single letter, for example J. This will yeild the shortcut control+alt+J for starting JAWS.
  6. Then click "Apply" then "OK" when done.

Using the keyboard

  1. Press WINDOWS+D to focus the Windows Desktop.
  2. Then press press letter J until you get to the JAWS program icon.  If there is more than one check it is for the version you wish to use.
  3. Press ALT+ENTER on it focused desktop item to properties.  
  4. Press TAB to reach the “shortcut key” edit box, then just type a letter here, for example type a letter J to set up a shortcut for CONTROL+ALT+J.
  5. Press TAB to move to the “OK” button and press SPACEBAR, this will save the shortcut.

Testing the hotkey

Before you can rely on the shortcut it is a good idea to test it by doing the following as a JAWS user.

  1. Press WINDOWS+D to focus the Windows Desktop.
  2. Then press your new startup shortcut for JAWS eg. CONTROL+ALT+J. 
  3. If you hear JAWS window being announced or the JAWS context menu, this proves the shortcut will work when JAWS is not running.

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