Changes are coming in 2024 to Google Gmail. Learn about them now by streaming or downloading this pre-recorded training, “Ten Tips for Transitioning from Basic HTML View to Standard View in Gmail with JAWS, Part 1.” Objectives: In this session, you’ll learn about: When Google is discontinuing Basic HTML View Techniques for navigating Gmail in Standard View with JAWS Overview of the Standard View interface Benefits of using Standard View Overview of Gmail terminology When to use the JAWS PC and Virtual PC cursors Access Settings and turn on Gmail keyboard commands Navigate the interface and use keyboard commands to access Labels, messages, and more Access a list of available commands

In this episode of Ask Sharky, we close out Sharkvember by going over the shortcuts that we highlighted during the month of November. Listen in as Elizabeth Whitaker shows these shortcuts in action.

We’ll provide an overview of the software, plus discuss: Face in View: This new feature in JAWS and Fusion helps you focus your camera before participating in a video call. JAWS helps you center your face, look directly at the camera, ensure adequate lighting, and include or exclude people or items from the view. Split Braille: This JAWS feature enables you to view content from two applications or locations by splitting a line of content on your braille display. For example, you could simultaneously view buffered text and annotations. Two vertical lines separate the content. Inverted Mouse Pointer Scheme: This ZoomText and Fusion feature inverts the pointer and background colors, making the pointer easier to locate. When moving the mouse pointer over a black background, for example, the pointer turns white. The contrast helps you locate the pointer while the text remains visible. Single Wedge Cursor Enhancement: This new ZoomText and Fusion feature displays a single triangle below the cursor, making the cursor easier to locate.

Ron Miller demonstrates some tips on how to use an exciting new feature in JAWS 2024, Face in View. Video calls have become a standard form of communication in the workplace, in schools, and in personal relationships. Before joining a video call, you want to make sure your setup is right and the camera is correctly focused on you. The new Face in View feature helps with this by alerting you to key visual details like: Is my face centered in the view? Am I looking directly at the camera? Is the lighting adequate? Are there additional items in the picture?? To activate Face in View, press the layered keystroke, INSERT+SPACEBAR, followed by F, and then O. Once enabled, Face in View continually monitors your face position and the lighting level. If anything changes, such as tilting your head left or right, or a decrease in brightness, you are automatically alerted. When focused in the Face in View application window, you can also use TAB or the ARROW keys to review information such as the position of your face in the picture, the current brightness level, and the camera in use. Note: Face in View is not currently available during an active video call as it needs complete access to the camera.  

Our training series for teachers and assistive technology instructors serves as a guide to use when teaching JAWS. Through its targeted lessons, quizzes, and a multitude of free resources, you will gain new skills to help you train your students and clients. Listen as Ron Miller speaks on FS Reader and JAWS Basic training. For more Teaching Resources, you can visit https://www.freedomscientific.com/training/teachers/

Ron Miller from Freedom Scientific's very own training team demonstrates how to navigate Gmail in Standard View within JAWS.  For more resources on using Gmail in Standard View with JAWS, you can reference our 2021 training on the same subject https://www.freedomscientific.com/webinars/using-jaws-with-gmail-in-standard-view/

In this new series, listen as Freedom Scientific's Ron Miller presents various JAWS Teaching resources in a convenient audio format. You can find more content related to teaching on Freedom Scientific's Teaching Resources Page. https://www.freedomscientific.com/training/teachers/ Absorbing all the features of JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion can be a daunting task. When you add to that the nuances of G Suite, Microsoft Office, and other apps in your toolbox, a few hints would come in handy for both you and your students.    

Are you looking for ways to navigate Microsoft Office applications more efficiently? Want to know where to locate commands when you need them? Listen in to our prodcast, “An In-Depth Look at the Microsoft Office Ribbon and JAWS.” Objectives: We’ll provide an overview of the ribbons in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, plus show you how to: Navigate the ribbon tabs and locate commands Customize the ribbon Add frequently used commands to the Quick Access Toolbar

Are you new to Google Slides? Want to read, edit, and create presentations more effectively with JAWS?  We’ll provide an overview of navigating Google Slides with JAWS, plus show you how to: - Turn on accessibility settings and explore the Accessibility menu - Open and navigate a presentation - Create and save a new presentation - Insert and delete slides - Add content to a slide - Edit and format content on a slide - Access Google Slides keyboard commands

In this advanced JAWS lesson, you can refine your online shopping skills. Also, don't forget about the Next Big Thing contest! Your team could win up to $3,000! https://www.freedomscientific.com/nextbigthing/ Get ready for a deep dive into the “Next Big Thing” Contest, where you have the power to help shape the future of JAWS and ZoomText! And guess what? There’s a chance to bag a $1000 Amazon gift card. We’ve done our best to make the submission process a breeze. We’re on a search for software feature ideas that give the user experience a boost and we want you with us. Your opportunity to jump in and be part of the excitement is here!   From September 5 to October 16, 2023. You have the opportunity to contribute your visionary ideas to our software products. Individuals or teams of up to three people, all aged 18 or above, are welcome to submit their entries.  Create a three-minute video presentation outlining your software feature idea. Your submission should address the following points: Introduction – Introduce yourself or your team, and let us know who’s behind the brilliance!  Feature Idea – All the details you can think of! Share the details of your software feature idea for JAWS or ZoomText. How It Helps – Break it down! Tell us the magic of how your feature helps users who are blind or have low vision. Impact – Dream us the big picture! Pull out the crystal ball and reveal the potential impact to the community of people who use JAWS and ZoomText. To enter the contest, complete the submission form below. Provide your details as described above and share a link to your three-minute video presentation. To share the link to your video, first upload it to Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, or YouTube.  Entries will be evaluated based on creativity, relevance, and potential impact on accessibility. Finalists will be contacted by October 23, 2023. The top three submissions will receive a five-year software license of Fusion, JAWS, or ZoomText and will have the opportunity to present their ideas at the “Sharkvember, Next Big Thing” event on November 14, 2023.   Each individual participating in the winning submission will be awarded a grand prize of a $1,000 Amazon gift card.  Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to help shape the “Next Big Thing” in JAWS and ZoomText. Your innovative ideas can play a pivotal role in enhancing accessibility for everyone. Dive into the contest, share your vision, and be part of the future of accessibility with us.