JAWS – Use speech on demand to stop JAWS speech

JAWS – Use speech on demand to stop JAWS speech

Problem

A JAWS user wishes to completely stop JAWS speech for a period of time without unloading JAWS from memory.  An example of such a situation could be whenm on a Zoom or Teams call.

 

Applies to

  1. JAWS/Fusion


Resolution

Speech on demand is a feature that silences JAWS automatic screen reading.  It can also be used so that screen reading only takes  place when a user uses any of the JAWS hotkeys to retrieve information from the screen.

 


Enable/disable speech on demand 

  1. Use the hotkey JAWSkey+SPACEBAR followed by letter S when you want to enable speech on demand, JAWS will then go silent.
  2. To enable automatic screen reading press JAWSKey+SPACEBAR followed by letter S.

The JAWSKey

This is a key on the keyboard that is a special shift key just for JAWS related functions it is in either of two places depending on the type of keyboard being used:

  1. If JAWS is in laptop keyboard layout with no number pad the designated JAWSKey will be the CAPSLOCK.
  2. If JAWS is in desktop keyboard layout the designated JAWSKey will be 0/INSERT on the bottom of the number pad.  Typically this key is quite easy to find on  the bottom left the 17 key number pad cluster which itself is on the right side of a desktop keyboard.