JAWS - The JAWSkey system explainer

JAWS - The JAWSkey system explainer

Problem

A New JAWS users may wish to become familiar with the special JAWS shift key to access spech functions of the screen reader. 


Applies to

  1. JAWS/Fusion

Resolution

The JAWS key is an important facet of the JAWS screen reader, understanding how it works can allow users to become more independant using their Windows system.

What is the JAWS Key

Previous to JAWS Windows screen readers tried to use the existing modifier keys (CONTROL+ALT or ALT+SHIFT with various letter keys to expose their functionality to users.  This approach was not always very successful because: 
  1. The hotkeys were difficult to remember/press correctly.
  2. The hotkeys would sometimes clash with those of application software.
To avoid such difficulties the developers of JAWS chose to co-opt an existing little used key as a special screen reader specific modifier key.  When tje JAWS key is combined with other keys it can execute functions of the JAWS software.  For example pressing JAWSKey+T can be used to read the title of an application window.  To accommodate different computer systems without having to change too many hotkeys the JAWS key is present for both laptop and desktop keyboard layouts so although the JAWS key changes the reset of the keystroke does not.

JAWS key locations

To accomodate different types of system two keyboard layouts are used, depending on the type of keyboard or location of certain keys one or other will be preferrable to the user.  The simplest is the Desktrop layout, if your keyboard has a 17 key number pad that is easy to access (typically on a desktop computer) this is usually preferrable.  On laptop keyboards there may not be a dedicated number pad and therefore in this situation the JAWS is mapped to the CAPSLOCK for ease of use.  This means that most of the JAWS keyboard keystrokes remain the same apart from the position of the JAWS key.  

On Desktop keyboards 

When set to desktop layout JAWS designates the number pad INSERT key as its special key. JAWS users may locate it on a desktop keyboard by carefully exploring along the bottom row of the keyboard on the right hand side of a desktop keyboard.  To locate the number pad itself first find the the inverted T cluster of arrow keys, then to the right of that there will be a small gap then are three more keys.  The long key on the left of the three keys is the 0 or INSERT key.  When the number lock is turned off this key becomes the INSERT key which JAWS will utilise as it's JAWS key.

For those assisting a JAWS/Fusion user the below illustration will help to locate the INSERT key which doubles as 0 when the number lock is turned on.  The number keys also double as arrow keys so that when using INSERT with any of the number pad arrow keys text reading can be carried out using just one hand.



On laptop keyboards

Since laptop keyboards do not always feature a number pad JAWS comes equipped with a laptop mode which utilises the CAPSLOCK key as its special JAWS key.  Outside of switching to block capitals this key is little used and even when used as a JAWS key a quick double press is all that is required to toggle CAPSLOCK on or off rather than the single press.   For those assisting JAWS users below illustration shows the location of the CAPSLOCK key which becomes the JAWS Key.  





See JAWS hotkeys for further information.