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JAWS and MAGic Reading Commands and Cursors Used by JAWS
Date: March 15

• Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
• Webinar: Basic concepts
• Cost: No charge
• Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Length: One hour

This is a core concept Webinar. It should be taken by anyone who is interested in learning to use JAWS® screen reading software for reading, work, or for accessibility testing purposes.

Reading the screen is done by pressing keys on the numeric keypad, or NUM PAD, sometimes in combination with other keys on the keyboard. When JAWS is loaded, the NUM LOCK is turned off, so that the keys represent movement keys, such as left arrow, right arrow, page up, and so on. Learn to read by character, word, line, sentence, paragraph, and more. MAGic® screen magnification software uses the same reading commands as JAWS, so learning the keyboard commands for one product provides a seamless transition to the other.

One of the key concepts of how JAWS works relates to the multiple cursor system that has been developed. Cursors discussed in this Webinar include the PC cursor, JAWS (mouse pointer) cursor, and the Virtual cursor.

The PC cursor is used for navigation and follows the focus of the system. The PC cursor is active when JAWS is first started, but if you switch to another cursor, you can press NUM PAD PLUS to make the PC cursor active again.

At other times the JAWS cursor takes over to perform actions that would normally be done using the mouse. The JAWS cursor is the mouse pointer. It can go places where the PC cursor cannot, for example, to the title bar at the top of many Windows® applications. The JAWS cursor can also be used to simulate clicking of mouse buttons.

Text in a Web page is very much like the static text in a Windows status message. The PC cursor cannot move to this text, as there is no insertion point. The JAWS cursor can access this text, but this is not the most efficient way to access larger documents such as those often found on the World Wide Web. When using Internet Explorer® (or programs that tie into the core components of Internet Explorer), or Adobe® Reader® files, JAWS provides the Virtual PC cursor to simulate an insertion point. This provides you the same functionality as that found in any word processing document. Text can be read by character, word, line, sentence, or paragraph, and text can be selected and copied to the Windows clipboard.

JAWS and MAGic Voice Profiles
Date: March 29

This is a core concept Webinar. It is recommended for anyone who is interested in learning more about using JAWS or MAGic.

• Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
• Webinar: Beginning to intermediate concepts
• Cost: No charge
• Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Length: One hour

TIP:  Did you know that if you miss a Webinar, a link to the archive of the Webinar will be sent to you if you register? That way, you can make up the Webinar at a later date. Would you like to join a series of Webinars already in progress? You can register at any time, review the archives for any lessons you missed, and join a series of Webinars already in progress.

A voice profile is a collection of different speech settings such as rate, pitch, language, punctuation levels, and other speech options that have been saved as a group with a specific name. For example, you could create a "leisure reading" profile with a nice sounding RealSpeak™ Solo Direct voice that has a slower speed and that speaks no punctuation. You could create a "Proofreading" profile that checks for all punctuation. You could create a Spanish (or other language) profile to switch quickly and easily to have text that is written in another language pronounced correctly when you are reading it. You can instantly switch between existing voice profiles by using a single keystroke.

Learn to create voice profiles that switch to a different synthesizer, change punctuation, change voices for different cursors, and even switch to a different language.

Surf's Up! Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic!
DATE: April 26 - June 8 (individual lesson dates are listed below)

• Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
• Webinar: Basic concepts
• Cost: No charge
• Level: Beginner to intermediate
• Length: Six one hour lessons

This is a core concept Webinar. It should be taken by anyone who is interested in learning to use JAWS or MAGic for reading or navigating Web pages on the Internet.

Learn to use JAWS screen reading software and MAGic screen magnification software to read and navigate the Internet! Do you want to become a power JAWS or MAGic user on the World Wide Web? Do you want to learn how JAWS or MAGic can help you navigate the vast resources of entertainment, education, and information available on the Web? Join the Freedom Scientific training team, and go through the Surf's Up training Web site in a series of free Webinars. Join any Webinar during the year, or view archives of those held previously.

Lesson One, April 26

By the end of this workshop you will understand, be able to discuss, and/or perform the following tasks, as they apply to users of screen reading software or screen magnification software:

• Different parts of the Internet Explorer® 8 Window
• Differences between Internet Explorer 8 and Firefox® 3
• What is Surf's Up?
• Begin using JAWS to read text on Web pages
• Use the JAWS list of links
• Use the JAWS list of headings
• Explain one or two of the differences between how JAWS and MAGic read Web pages and interact with each other when running together
• JAWS navigation quick keys (a beginning)
• Different types of hyperlinks
• Pictures or images on the Web - used for pictures only or pictures that are also links
• Divisions on Web pages
• Introduction to PlaceMarkers
• Introduction to JAWS custom label feature

Lesson Two, May 3

By the end of this workshop you will understand, be able to discuss, and/or perform the following tasks, as they apply to users of JAWS® screen reading software or MAGic® screen magnification software:

• PlaceMarkers
• Divisions
• ARIA Landmarks
• Tabbed browsing in Internet Explorer
• Tabbed browsing in Firefox
• Temporary and permanent changes for JAWS and MAGic
• The Adjust JAWS (or MAGic) Options dialog box
• Personalized settings for a Web domain
• Selecting and copying text, images, or other information from either the
• on screen content
• virtual content, not necessarily seen on screen
• Get more practice with some live Web sites

Lesson Three, May 10

By the end of this workshop you will understand, be able to discuss, and/or perform the following tasks as they relate to surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic:

• What are tables and how are they used on the Web?
• Use JAWS or MAGic table reading keystrokes in HTML or PDF tables
• Navigate to and use tables on Web pages or PDF documents
• Select and copy text from cells and rows within a table
• Select and copy entire tables
• Switch from simple layout to screen layout with JAWS
• Understand how MAGic automatically uses screen layout instead of simple layout
• Change how JAWS handles reading column and row headers in tables
• Change JAWS to recognize layout tables if needed

Lesson Four, May 17

By the end of this workshop you will understand, be able to discuss, and/or perform the following tasks as they relate to surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic:

• Forms mode
• Auto forms mode, introduced in JAWS 10
• List of form controls, INSERT+F5
• Sounds JAWS uses for auto forms mode
• Keyboard navigation within forms
• ARROW keys
• TAB key
• Navigation Quick Keys
• AutoComplete Settings in Internet Explorer
• Interaction with form controls
• Edit boxes
• Combo boxes
• Check boxes
• Radio buttons
• Multiple selection list boxes
• Submit buttons (and other buttons)
• JAWS List of Virtual HTML Features, INSERT+F3

Lesson Five, June 7

By the end of this workshop you will understand, be able to discuss, and/or perform the following tasks as they relate to surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic:

• Frames on the Web
• Flash on the Web

Lesson Six, June 8

By the end of this workshop you will understand, be able to discuss, and/or perform the following tasks as they relate to surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic:

• Dealing with difficult pages
 
• Pages that refresh frequently
 
• Languages on the Web
 
• Using the JAWS find command on Web pages
 
• Search engines on the Web
 
• OnMouseOvers
 

Word 2007, Three One and One-Half Hour Webinars
DATE: April 27, May 4, and May 11

This three-part webinar series is normally offered as three separate webinars, priced at $75 apiece. Take advantage of our special bundled price of $199 by signing up for all three at once, and save $26.

NOTE: This workshop assumes familiarity with using JAWS or MAGic in the Webinar training room. Before taking this workshop, participants should complete the free Webinar Training Room Orientation.

• Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
• Webinar: Medium to advanced concepts
• Cost: $199 bundled price (save $26 off the price of separate webinars)
• Level: Intermediate to advanced
• Length: Three lessons, one and one-half hours each
• Exam given: Yes
• Continuing Education Units (CEU) awarded: 0.45

Word 2007 Part One, Introduction
DATE: April 27

By the end of this workshop you will understand, be able to discuss, and/or perform the following tasks as they relate to Word 2007 from the keyboard with JAWS and MAGic:

• Introduction to Word
• Setting Word preferences
• Autocorrect options
• Spelling options
• Default document location
• Create, retrieve, and save documents
• Spell check
• Grammar check
• Explore the ribbon and ribbon groups
• JAWS navigation quick keys in Word

Word 2007 Part Two
DATE: May 4

By the end of this workshop you will understand, be able to discuss, and/or perform the following tasks as they relate to Word 2007 from the keyboard with JAWS and MAGic:

• Change the default document template
• Modify styles
• Create templates for styles
• Set and use bookmarks
• Navigation between task panes, ribbon, status bar, and document area
• JAWS settings, Adjust JAWS dialog box

Word 2007 Part Three
DATE: May 11

By the end of this workshop you will understand, be able to discuss, and/or perform the following tasks as they relate to Word 2007 from the keyboard with JAWS and MAGic:

• Insert images with alternative text
• Create and modify tables
• Use the bookmark feature to have row and column headers read for JAWS users
• Contextual tabs on the ribbon
• Track changes

Excel 2007, Two One and One-Half Hour Webinars
DATE: July 13 and 20

This two-part webinar series is normally offered as two separate webinars, priced at $75 apiece. Take advantage of our special bundled price of $130 by signing up for both at once, and save $20.

NOTE: This workshop assumes familiarity with using JAWS or MAGic in the Webinar training room. Before taking this workshop, participants should complete the free Webinar Training Room Orientation.

• Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
• Webinar: Medium to advanced concepts
• Cost: $130 bundled price (save $20 off the price of separate webinars)
• Level: Intermediate to advanced
• Length: Two lessons, one and one-half hours each
• Exam given: Yes
• Continuing Education Units (CEU) awarded: 0.3

Excel 2007 Part One, Introduction
DATE: July 13

By the end of this workshop you will understand, be able to discuss, and/or perform the following tasks as they relate to Excel 2007 from the keyboard with JAWS and MAGic:

• Create, open, and save workbooks
• Auto Sum
• Comments
• Go To dialog box
• Navigation in a worksheet
• Ranges
• Editing text
• Formulas (basics)
• Row and column headers

Excel 2007 Part Two
DATE: July 20

By the end of this workshop you will understand, be able to discuss, and/or perform the following tasks as they relate to Excel 2007 from the keyboard with JAWS and MAGic:

• Create a chart
• Move a chart
• Change chart types
• Insert hyperlinks for navigation within worksheet or workbook
• Create monitored cells (JAWS users)
• JAWS-specific Excel features

Using JAWS to Test Web Page and Document Accessibility
DATE: July 14 - 29 (individual lesson dates are listed below)

Learn to use JAWS for testing Web pages as well as PDF documents

"The JAWS Webinars are really helpful. I recommend them to anyone in Web design and maintenance. Web accessibility becomes much clearer once you understand how JAWS accesses pages."
- Katy Whitelaw, Webmaster

Read more Webinar comments

NOTE: This workshop assumes familiarity with JAWS reading commands and cursors. Before taking this workshop, participants should complete the free Webinar JAWS and MAGic Reading Commands and Cursors Used by JAWS.

• Time: 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
• Webinar: Medium to advanced concepts
• Cost: $300 USD
• Level: Intermediate to advanced
• Length: Six one-hour sessions, see dates below
• Exams given: Yes
• Continuing Education Units (CEU) awarded: 0.6

TIP:  Did you know that if you miss a Webinar, a link to the archive of the Webinar will be sent to you if you register? That way, you can make up the Webinar at a later date. Would you like to join a series of Webinars already in progress? You can register at any time, review the archives for any lessons you missed, and join a series of Webinars already in progress.

Lesson One, Testing Web Page and Document Accessibility
Date: July 14

Learn about JAWS and the HTML dialog box, settings used by JAWS in Web pages and Web-based applications or PDF documents, including:

• Why JAWS skips past repeated text on Web pages
• How JAWS reads various HTML tags
• Text block length
• Why JAWS does not always appear to move when PAGE DOWN is pressed
• Why JAWS sometimes begins reading in the middle of a line when DOWN ARROW is pressed
• How JAWS uses the Virtual Buffer
• How JAWS treats graphics and graphical links differently
• The various options in the different pages of this dialog box

Lesson Two, Testing Web Page and Document Accessibility
Date: July 15

JAWS and Internet Explorer, part 1. Learn about navigation quick keys, the list of links, the list of headings, and PlaceMarkers. General navigation in Internet Explorer is discussed and demonstrated.

Lesson Three, Testing Web Page and Document Accessibility
Date: July 21

JAWS and Internet Explorer, part 2. Learn about tables, forms, JAWS auto forms mode, custom labels, and personalized settings for the Web in this lesson on using JAWS in Internet Explorer.

Lesson Four, Testing Web Page and Document Accessibility
Date: July 22

Discussion includes:

• Web Accessibility Initiatives (WAI) from the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 (WCAG) from the W3C
• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

Lesson Five, Testing Web Page and Document Accessibility
Date: July 28

Learn the difference between accessibility and usability of Web pages and PDF documents. Includes discussion and demonstration of how to test pages of various types with JAWS. Demonstration of sample Web pages from a usability vs. accessibility standpoint. Demonstration of sample PDF documents that cause problems for screen reader users. Also learn about common HTML attributes used specifically by screen readers to help their users read and navigate on the Web.

Lesson Six, Testing Web Page and Document Accessibility
Date: July 29

Demonstration and discussion of how to test pages of various types with JAWS or MAGic. Test live Web pages submitted by participants and discuss options for improvements.

JAWS and MAGic Reading Commands and Cursors Used by JAWS, Archive

Archive of the prior JAWS and MAGic Reading Commands and Cursors Used by JAWS Webinar
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Research It

Research It is a new feature that provides quick access to information while also making it easy to return to your primary task. Use just a few keystrokes to look up information and display salient data in the Virtual Viewer. When you have finished researching, press another keystroke to return to the task you were performing before the research started. All that is required to use Research It is JAWS 11 and an Internet connection.

If you are a software developer or script developer, you can create and customize your own lookup module and tailor it to your organization's needs. A law or medical office can have a search engine for legal and medical terms, while a school or government agency can have a lookup module dedicated to specific acronyms and terminology.

We shared a brand new lookup and examined some of the code. One of our developers was also present in the Webinar room for answering more technical questions related to creating your own Research It lookup modules.

Archive of the Research It Webinar
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Using the Keyboard with T&T Technology: J-Tools and J-Tunes, Archive
Guest presenter: Brian Hartgen, United Kingdom
Use the links below to access the archive, MP3, or HTML lessons of this Webinar

This Webinar is for anyone who is interested in learning more about products from T&T Consultancy entirely written using the JAWS scripting language. J-Tools is for people who wish to carry out everyday computing tasks with greater efficiency. If you are a Microsoft Word, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Twitter user, you are sure to find something of value in J-Tools version 2.0. J-Tunes, on the other hand, links JAWS together with the iTunes® music management software.

In this Webinar, find out about these amazing products only available for the JAWS screen-reader. In addition, at the end of the Webinar, we point you in the direction of some free scripts available for other applications.

This Webinar is ideal for both JAWS users and Trainers of Access Technology.

Archive of the Using the Keyboard with T&T Technology: J-Tools and J-Tunes Webinar
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Accessible Tables Part One: Tables in Word and Ranges in Excel, Archive

People who use tables in Microsoft Word or ranges in Microsoft Excel on a regular basis know how quickly one can get lost in the maze of rows and columns without the use of row and column titles. Learn to use the bookmark feature in Word and the naming function in Excel to create built-in column and row header names for a cell or a range of cells. JAWS looks for certain specific names to identify which cells contain row and column titles. If the titles are defined in this fashion, the information is stored right in the document rather than in a JAWS file and can be used to speak the title information to anyone using JAWS 6.1 or later. Furthermore, anyone can build these row and column names into a table or range without even having JAWS installed.

Learn some easily applied principles that increase the accessibility of documents you create. In addition, learn how users can more easily access information by knowing helpful features in their adaptive technology.

Voice Profiles with JAWS 11 and MAGic, Archive

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What Are Scripts? Basics of Scripting, Archive
Use the links below to access the archive, MP3, or HTML lessons of this Webinar

This is a core concept Webinar for anyone who is interested in learning how to customize the JAWS screen reader through the use of the powerful scripting language. What are scripts? What are functions?

Every time you start JAWS, a group of default settings or configuration files is loaded. Included in this group of files is the default script file, default.jsb, which contains all of the functionality JAWS needs to access and speak information within the Windows operating system and Windows-based programs.

Each time you press a keystroke, JAWS performs a series of steps to determine if the keystroke is associated with a script, is a keystroke that activates an action within the program you are using, or does not do anything.

In this one hour Webinar, you will learn the definition of a script and function, the differences between scripts and functions, how JAWS processes scripts and functions and more.

Archive of the prior What are Scripts? Webinar
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