Freedom Scientific - Training Headquarters

E-learning Webinar Schedule for the First Part of 2010

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 19:45:00 GMT

E-learning Schedule for the First Part of 2010

Free Webinars

Webinar Training Room Orientation, February 22, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (17:00 GMT)
Research It, March 1, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (17:00 GMT)
JAWS and MAGic Reading Commands and Cursors Used by JAWS, March 15, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
PDF Document Reading and Strategies with JAWS and MAGic, March 22, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
JAWS and MAGic Voice Profiles, March 29, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
Webinar Training Room Orientation, April 12, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
Surf's Up! Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic!, April 26 - June 8 (6 individual lessons), 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
Webinar Training Room Orientation, June 28, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)

Visit the e-Learning page of Freedom Scientific to register or to get more details.

Paid Webinars

Using JAWS to Test Web Page and Document Accessibility, January 12 - 21 (6 individual lessons), 12:00 PM Eastern Time (17:00 GMT)
JAWS Training for Teachers and AT Trainers, February 2 - 25, (12 individual lessons), 12:00 PM Eastern Time (17:00 GMT)
Office 2007 Overview and Introduction, February 26, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (17:00 GMT)
Outlook 2007, Three One and One-Half Hour Webinars, March 2, 16, and 23, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (17:00 GMT for the first lesson; 16:00 GMT for the remaining lessons)
Word 2007, Three One and One-Half Hour Webinars, April 27, May 4, and May 11, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
PowerPoint 2007, Three One and One-Half Hour Webinars, June 29, 30, and July 1, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)
Excel 2007, Two One and One-Half Hour Webinars, July 13 and 20, 12:00 PM Eastern Time (16:00 GMT)

Archives of Paid Webinar Training

NEW for 2010! By popular request we are making archives of previously held paid webinar training available for purchase. The benefits of purchasing archived training include:

Take the lessons any time 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You don't have to wait for the next live class to begin.
Contact the instructor with any questions by e-mail or phone.
Optionally, you may also take the online exams for each webinar. Earn a score of 80% or higher and receive a certificate of completion and Continuing Education Units (CEUs).

THERE IS AN ADDED BONUS! Anyone who purchases paid archives of our training may also attend the same webinar at no charge the next time it is held live! Meet your training needs now, and also get a free refresher course later in the year the next time the same webinar is held. (Free attendance is limited to the next scheduled time the same webinar is held.)

Choose any of the following links to purchase archives of paid training:

Using JAWS to Test Web Page and Document Accessibility paid archive, $300

JAWS Training for Teachers and AT Trainers paid archive, $600

Office 2007 Overview and Introduction paid archive, $50

Outlook 2007 paid archive, $199

Word 2007 paid archive, $199

PowerPoint 2007 paid archive, $199

Excel 2007 paid archive, $130

Archives of Free Webinar Training

Can't wait for the next live Webinar? Take advantage of the archives of prior versions of upcoming webinars now. The majority of our archives are comprised of lessons in the following format:

The actual archived recording itself (HTML text of the lesson, chat history, and audio)
HTML files only, with any practice files included
MP3 recording only

Remember, you can take the archived lessons any time, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You don't have to wait for the next live class to begin.

Visit the e-Learning page of Freedom Scientific to register or to get more details.

Research It DAISY Book Available

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT

Research It DAISY Book Released

Research It, the newest DAISY book from the Freedom Scientific Training Department, is now available. This text and audio DAISY book demonstrates how to use Research It.

Research It, included with JAWS® screen reading software, is a versatile tool that provides quick access to data while also making it easy to return to your primary task. If you have JAWS 11 or later (whether you are using the full version or a demo version) and an Internet connection, you can begin using Research It. It uses a lookup source to find information and then posts it in the Virtual Viewer. Some examples of things you can look up quickly with Research It include:

Dictionary definitions using Wiktionary
Amazon product search
Bookshare book search
Yellow pages (business) or white pages (people) search
FedEx and UPS tracking
Health search on WebMD
Weather forecasts
Top news stories
Sports scores and game listings
Stock prices
Encyclopedia articles
Area codes and time zones
And many other things

Using just a few keystrokes, you can start Research It from any application on your computer. In addition, you can easily set which lookup module to use as the default for all applications. You can even create a default lookup for a specific application. This book examines some of the basic lookup sources included with JAWS, and also explores the different ways to launch and use Research It.

Visit the Training Downloads page or choose the Check for Updates item in the JAWS help menu to get your copy of the Research It DAISY book. It is also available on the Training Downloads page in MP3 format.

New Office 2007 Webinars from Freedom Scientific for the Fourth Quarter of 2009

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:05:00 GMT

The Freedom Scientific Training Department is pleased to offer several new paid Webinars on Office 2007. In addition to the paid Webinars, several free Webinars are also offered during the fourth quarter, including new Webinar training room orientation.

To register for any of these free or paid Webinars and to find out more information about them, please visit the e-Learning page of the Training Department at Freedom Scientific.

Here's a little more information about the paid Webinars from Freedom Scientific:

Webinars are instructor-led in an accessible online training room
An online exam is included as part of each Webinar to help ensure each participant learns the concepts
A certificate of completion is provided to those who score 80% or higher on exams
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are awarded to those who pass the exams
Pick and choose the Webinars you want
Pay for only the training you need
If you cannot attend at the time scheduled you receive a link to the archive, enabling you to study online at any time

Schedule of Webinars in the Fourth Quarter

JAWS and MAGic Reading Commands and Cursors Used by JAWS, September 23 (free)
Webinar Training Room Orientation, October 1 (free)
Office 2007 Overview and Introduction, October 6
Outlook 2007 Part One, Introduction, October 8
Outlook 2007 Part Two, October 13
Outlook 2007 Part Three, October 15
Webinar Training Room Orientation, October 19 (free)
Word 2007 Part One, Introduction, October 27
Word 2007 Part Two, October 29
Word 2007 Part Three, November 3
Webinar Training Room Orientation, November 5 (free)
PowerPoint 2007 Part One, Introduction, November 17
PowerPoint 2007 Part Two, November 19
JAWS and MAGic Voice Profiles, November 24 (free)
PowerPoint 2007 Part Three, December 8
Webinar Training Room Orientation, December 10 (free)
Excel 2007 Part One, Introduction, December 15
Excel 2007 Part Two, December 17

To register or get more information visit the e-Learning page of the Training Department at Freedom Scientific.

Free Webinars from Freedom Scientific for the Third Quarter of 2009

Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:00:00 GMT

To register for any of these free webinars and to find out more information about them, please visit the e-Learning page of the Training Department at Freedom Scientific.

PDF Document Reading and Strategies with JAWS and MAGic, July 28, 2009

Are you afraid of PDF (Portable Document Format) files? Would you like to know more about how to read them with JAWS and MAGic? If so, this Webinar is for you.

Learn how to read PDF documents and use different strategies to obtain a better idea of why some PDF documents do not read well, or may not read at all. Learn how to test a PDF document for accessibility. Learn how to determine if a PDF document is a scanned image and not text that can be read with a screen reader. Then learn what you can do to convert the PDF document so that it CAN be read. Learn how to interact with forms and form controls, tables, hyperlinks, and more, all in PDF documents of different types.

What Are Scripts? Basics of Scripting, July 30, 2009

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.

Script Manager, Basics of Scripting, August 4, 2009

What is the Script manager in JAWS and how is it used?

You use the Script manager to create new and modify existing scripts and user-defined functions. It is a full-featured text editor that provides built-in capabilities that you will not find in other text editors and word processors. In addition, the Script manager provides hot keys you can use to read through the scripts in your script file more efficiently.

After you have completed creating your new script or function, you save your script file just as you would when using another text editor or word processor. However the Script manager automatically performs an additional step not found in those applications. It compiles your script file. Compiling a script converts the file from text to machine-readable information. The Script manager saves the original text file with a JSS (JAWS Script Source) file extension, and the compiled or binary version (machine-readable language) is saved with a JSB (JAWS Script Binary) file extension.

In this one and one half hour Webinar, you will learn the file types used by the Script manager, the commands used to navigate through existing script files and how to view the documentation for existing scripts and user-defined functions. You will also learn how to create new scripts using the New Script dialog box, how to insert functions into scripts, check for errors that violate the rules of correct script writing, save and compile your script files, and more.

Surf's Up! Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic! August 12 - September 16, 2009

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 six (6) free Webinars.

Using the Keyboard with T&T Technology: J-Tools and J-Tunes, August 20

Guest presenter: Brian Hartgen, United Kingdom

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.

JAWS and MAGic Reading Commands and Cursors Used by JAWS, September 23

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.

Free Webinar on Accessible Tables in Word and Ranges in Excel - June 24 at 2 PM Eastern

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Date: June 24, 2009

Time: 2:00 PM Eastern Time (18:00 GMT)
Presenter: Dan Clark, trainer for Freedom Scientific
Host: Professor Norm Coombs of EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information)
Webinar: Medium to advanced concepts
Cost: No charge
Level: Intermediate to advanced
Length: One and one half hours

(Note: This is the first Webinar in a two-part series. Part two will be on August 26 and will cover Accessible Tables in PDF and HTML.)

Description:

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.

Note: This Webinar will be approximately one and a half hours in length (90 minutes) to allow time for interactive practice. Participants will be given the opportunity to switch away from the presentation room (while still listening to the instructor) to use sample practice documents that will be provided. The practice documents open in Microsoft Word and in Microsoft Excel.

Visit the EASI Web site now to register.

Four New Free Webinars from the Training Department to Celebrate in July

Fri, 29 May 2009 19:15:00 GMT

Basics of Scripting: Keyboard Manager, July 14, 2009
Basics of Scripting: What Are Scripts? July 16, 2009
Basics of Scripting: Script Manager, July 21, 2009
PDF Document Reading and Strategies with JAWS and MAGic, July 28, 2009

Are you interested in learning more about scripting for JAWS, MAGic, or the PAC Mate? These three Basics of Scripting Webinars will help you build a solid foundation for learning more about script writing.

Do you avoid PDF documents whenever possible? Perhaps you would like to know more about them, including strategies for testing them for accessibility, why some PDF documents don't read well or at all, or how to interact with forms and other controls in PDFs? If so, this Webinar is for you.

Visit the e-Learning entrance page of the Freedom Scientific Training Department now to register for these new free Webinars.

Links to Archived Webinars, MP3 Files, and HTML Lessons Added to e-Learning Page

Fri, 22 May 2009 19:00:00 GMT

Anyone who registers for a Webinar at Freedom Scientific automatically receives a link to the archive of that Webinar when it is finished. Now, due to popular demand, we are posting the latest archives of our free training Webinars online. In addition to the archives, which contain audio, HTML screens, and text chat areas, we are making the following available:

MP3 files - the MP3 files are made available separately for those who want to download them and put them on a stand-alone player
HTML files - the HTML files (including practice exercises, when available) are made available separately for those who want the text of the lesson without the audio

Visit the e-Learning entrance page of the Freedom Scientific Training Department now to listen to the archives or download the MP3 audio or HTML text files for each lesson.

Glen Gordon: Free Webinar on ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)

Mon, 11 May 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Date: May 26, 2009

Time: 2:00 PM Eastern Time (18:00 GMT)
Presenter: Glen Gordon, Chief Technology Officer for Freedom Scientific
Co-hosts: Dan Clark of Freedom Scientific and Norm Coombs of EASI
Webinar: Medium to advanced concepts
Cost: No charge
Level: Intermediate to advanced
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.

Glen Gordon from Freedom Scientific will give a free Webinar on ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications), hosted by EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information).

Webinar description: What is ARIA and why is it important? Why is ARIA necessary? What challenges do ARIA and Web 2.0 sites present to screen reader developers and users? Join this Webinar to listen to Glen Gordon describe how Freedom Scientific is preparing JAWS for this new wave of the future. Learn about ARIA features and how JAWS users will interact with these dynamic Web-based applications.

Visit the EASI Web site now to register.

Free JAWS and MAGic Training Webinars March 24 and 26

Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:00:00 GMT

The Freedom Scientific Training Department is offering two free JAWS and MAGic training Webinars in March.

JAWS and MAGic Reading Commands and Cursors Used by JAWS
Date: March 24, 2009

Time: 3:00 PM Eastern Time (19:00 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.

Surf's Up! Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic!
DATE: March 26 - April 29, 2009 (individual lesson dates are listed below)

Time: 3:00 PM Eastern Time (19:00 GMT)
Webinar: Basic concepts
Cost: No charge
Level: Beginner to intermediate
Length: One hour

Join us for a series on Surfing the Web with JAWS and MAGic. This five part free Webinar series uses our training Web site "Surf's Up! Surfing the Web with JAWS and MAGic" to demonstrate how to use JAWS and MAGic on the Web. It should be taken by anyone who is interested in learning to use JAWS or MAGic for reading and navigating Web pages on the Internet. It should also be taken if you plan to use JAWS for accessibility testing purposes. The Surf's Up series consists of five free Webinars over the following dates:

Lesson one, March 26, 2009
Lesson two, April 8, 2009
Lesson three, April 15, 2009
Lesson four, April 22, 2009
Lesson five, April 29, 2009

Go to the Freedom Scientific e-Learning entrance page for more information and to register.

Announcing the Spring/Summer 2009 Training Workshop Schedule

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:15:00 GMT

The Freedom Scientific Training Department announces the spring/summer schedule of training workshops at our headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. If you want to update your knowledge of the JAWS® screen reader, want to learn how to customize JAWS or MAGic® screen magnification software using the powerful scripting language, or are interested in learning how to work with Microsoft® Office 2007 with JAWS and MAGic, then we have a training workshop for you.

The spring schedule begins with the Microsoft Office with JAWS and MAGic training workshop on May 12 - 15, 2009. Next, the exciting new workshop, Web Page Testing with JAWS, is being held either May 27 - 28, or, June 3 - 5, 2009. Help us decide which set of dates to hold this exciting new workshop by contacting the Training Department and letting us know the dates that best fit your schedule. To view the complete spring and summer schedule of training workshops, visit the workshop schedule on the Freedom Scientific Web site.

Discounted Tuition Rates and Free Products

Anyone who is interested in attending one or more workshops back-to-back is entitled to a discounted tuition rate for both workshops. We also offer discounted tuition rates for two or more people from the same organization who attend the same workshop. In addition, anyone attending a Freedom Scientific training workshop in 2009 receives free copies of:

TypeAbility, the outstanding talking typing tutorial from YesAccessible!
J-Tools, a new suite of software tools for users of JAWS 9 and later that assists when working with word processing, e-mail, calendar, and the Internet, from T&T Consultancy

You can learn more about these exciting products being offered free to anyone taking part in a Freedom Scientific training workshop by visiting the Training Headquarters page of the Freedom Scientific Web site.

Contact the Training Department

If you are interested in attending any of the workshops being held this spring or summer, complete a registration form available via download from the workshops page of the Freedom Scientific Web site. Return the completed registration form to the Training Department at Training_Info@FreedomScientific.com. For general questions about our training workshops, you can either e-mail the Training Department with your questions, or you can contact the Training Department at:

Freedom Scientific, Inc.
Attn: Training Department
11800 31st Court North
Saint Petersburg, Florida 33716-1805
Phone: 800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000 extension 1004 or 1016
Fax: 727-471-7927

Revised Basics of Scripting Manual Posted

Wed, 04 Feb 2009 21:45:00 GMT

The Basics of Scripting manual has been updated to reflect changes in JAWS 10 along with the Keyboard and Script managers. The manual is a great resource for anyone who is interested in learning how to customize JAWS through the use of the powerful JAWS scripting language. This comprehensive manual walks you through the very basics of the JAWS scripting language and includes exercises at the end of each chapter to help reinforce the concepts taught in that chapter. Concepts taught include:

Using the Keyboard Manager to add, change and update keystrokes for JAWS
What are scripts?
The differences between scripts and functions
Using the Script manager to create and compile scripts and functions
Script file documentation and structure
Using the New Script and Insert Function dialog boxes
Manipulating cursors to read areas of text on the screen
Controlling flow: sequential, conditional, and iterative (looping)
Passing keystrokes
Types of functions including: built-in, event and user-defined
Virtual Viewer concepts
and much more

Download the Basics of Scripting Manual.

Choose this link to go to the Training Downloads page and get the Basics of Scripting manual.

Three New Ways to Learn How To Test Web Pages with JAWS

Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:10:00 GMT

Are you a Web page developer or person who needs to test a Web page or other document with JAWS? These workshops are designed for Web page authors, Web masters, accessibility testers, and anyone else who is interested in learning how JAWS can be used to test and validate accessible Web page design.

There are several different ways to participate in one of these new workshops from the Training Department at Freedom Scientific:

Online learning - the first new online workshop is six one-hour Webinars from February 11-March 4, 2009, and costs $300. Read more about it and register on the e-Learning page of the Freedom Scientific Training Department.

Hands-on training in Florida - this new two-day workshop is priced at $499 per person and is scheduled for either May 27-28 or June 3-4, 2009, at Freedom Scientific in Saint Petersburg, Florida. Read more about it and register on the JAWS workshop page of the Freedom Scientific Training Department.

Hands-on training at your location - this two-day workshop can be brought to your location. If you have between six and twelve people who might benefit from this training it is less expensive to bring the Freedom Scientific trainer to your location. Read more about hosting a workshop at your location.

If you have any questions, please contact the Training Department at Freedom Scientific for more information.

Freedom Scientific, Inc.
Attn: Training Department
11800 31st Court North
Saint Petersburg, Florida 33716-1805
Phone: 800-444-4443 or 727-803-8000 extension 1016 or 1004
Fax: 727-471-7927
E-mail: training_info at FreedomScientific.com

Online Learning Now Available from the Freedom Scientific Training Department

Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:30:00 GMT

Learn to use JAWS® screen reading software, MAGic® screen magnification software, PAC Mate Omni™ accessible Pocket PC, and more from the convenience of your home or office. With travel expenses on the increase, working online to learn new skills makes even more sense than ever. Visit the e-Learning Webinar page of the Training Department for more information on this new learning opportunity from Freedom Scientific. View the schedule and register now for upcoming Webinars.

What's New in JAWS 10 DAISY and MP3 Files Posted

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:15:00 GMT

Listen to Eric Damery, Vice President of Software Product Management, as he discusses What's New in JAWS 10. This just-released DAISY book is also available as an MP3 audio download.

Use Check for Updates to Find the What's New in JAWS 10 DAISY Book

JAWS 9 and 10 users can use the JAWS Check for Updates feature to find and download the What's New in JAWS 10 DAISY book. Here's how to use the Check for Updates feature:

Go to the JAWS Help menu and press P to choose Check for Updates.
A dialog box appears that contains a list of check boxes for all updates that are available for your version of JAWS, including any DAISY training materials.
Press UP or DOWN ARROW to move through the list.
Press SPACEBAR to check any items you want to download and install.
Then press ENTER to activate the Install button. The download begins and when finished, a new dialog box appears that asks if you want to install the files, with a Yes and No button.
Choose Yes. After the installation is complete, the final dialog box appears that tells you that the updates were successfully installed.
Choose the OK button, and the dialog box closes. Now you can use FSReader to read the newly installed book. In FSReader, just choose CTRL+O to reopen the File Open dialog box and choose the new book.

MP3 Version of the What's New in JAWS 10.

If you would rather download the MP3 file, choose this link to go to the Training Downloads page and get the MP3 version of the What's New in JAWS 10.

JAWS 10 Basic Training Released!

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:46:00 GMT

The Basic Training for JAWS 10 has been revised and updated to include the latest in new JAWS 10 features. The newly-revised training is available in both text and audio DAISY format as well as individual MP3 modules.

Updated items include:

Changes in the JAWS user interface
JAWS Tandem™
Voice Profiles
Revisions to Internet Explorer modules using the new Surf's Up
Auto Forms Mode for HTML forms
Navigation Quick Key manager
And much more!

Use Check for Updates to Download Training Materials

The new JAWS 10 Basic Training will be included on the new JAWS program CD. It is also available now on the Training Downloads page. JAWS 10 users can also use the JAWS Check for Updates feature to find it. Here's how to use the Check for Updates feature:

Go to the JAWS Help menu and press P to choose Check for Updates.
A dialog box appears that contains a list of check boxes for all updates that are available, including any DAISY training materials.
Press UP or DOWN ARROW to move through the list.
Press SPACEBAR to check any items you want to download and install.
Then press ENTER to activate the Install button. The download begins and when finished, a new dialog box appears that asks if you want to install the files, with a Yes and No button.
Choose Yes. After the installation is complete, the final dialog box appears that tells you that the updates were successfully installed.
Choose the OK button, and the dialog box closes. Now you can use FSReader to read the newly installed book. In FSReader, just choose CTRL+O to reopen the File Open dialog box and choose the new book.

Getting Started with JAWS Updated for JAWS 10

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 19:45:00 GMT

The Getting Started with JAWS audio has been revised for the JAWS 10 release.

Since JAWS version 7, full copies of JAWS now include the "Getting Started with JAWS" audio cassette. It explains the fundamentals of using JAWS on your computer. You'll also learn how to use FSReader to access the more detailed Basic Training and other DAISY training materials included with JAWS. The newest version of "Getting Started with JAWS" that ships with JAWS has been improved to keep up with the latest changes in JAWS 10 as well as changes in the operating system, Windows Vista®. It now includes more than 50 minutes of instruction per side. In addition, learn about:

"What's in the Box?"
JAWS authorization, installation, and activation
The JAWS Startup Wizard
Installation of RealSpeak™ Solo Direct synthesizers
Play and pause audio with FSReader in the background
And much more!

Visit the JAWS MP3 files section on the training downloads page to download your copy of the Getting Started with JAWS audio modules today!

Public EASI Webinar: Making Accessible Forms in MS Word

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:45:00 GMT

Thursday October 16 at 2 PM Eastern

Presenters: Dan Clark from Freedom Scientific and Professor Norm Coombs from EASI (Equal Access to Software and Information)

Visit the EASI workshop page to register for this free one-hour Webinar.

Did you ever want to send a form for people to fill out and do it in Word? Did you just leave a blank line for that information? Imagine making a genuine form with edit boxes where the people filled in the requested information? Imagine even being able to use check boxes? How about even having a drop down combo box with choices they are to select? And imagine making it so it would be fully accessible to people using adaptive technologies?

Don't imagine it any more! This Webinar will demonstrate just how you can do that. This is a much more professional way to collect information, and it isn't really very difficult.

Dan will share information on creating accessible forms in Microsoft® Word 2003 as well as Word 2007. Some of the items for discussion include:

Laying out form content
Creating accessible edit boxes, check boxes, and combo boxes
Adding Status Bar and Help Key (F1) help for screen reader users
Using sections for instructions
Saving and protecting forms
Navigating forms using the Word Bookmark feature
Navigation Quick Keys and list of Form Controls for JAWS users

Be sure to mark this one on your calendar!

JAWS Navigation Quick Keys in Microsoft Word

Fri, 12 Sep 2008 18:10:00 GMT

JAWS® screen reading software has Navigation Quick Keys for Microsoft® Word that provide you with an easy and efficient way to move through a document. Quickly move the insertion point to a number of different page elements, including headings, footnotes, endnotes, comments, tables, form fields, pages, sections, and more, with simple keystrokes. This feature is similar to the Navigation Quick Keys JAWS uses in Internet Explorer, but is especially designed to help you navigate Word documents.

Navigation Quick Keys are automatically enabled while you are reading with the SayAll command. If you want to use this feature when not performing the SayAll command, press INSERT+Z. Then, use the keystrokes to move the insertion point to the next or previous page element of the given type. To turn off Navigation Quick Keys, press INSERT+Z again. JAWS also turns off Navigation Quick Keys if you switch from one Word document to another document, or to another program.

Visit the JAWS Navigation Quick Keys in Microsoft Word training page for:

Word 2003 and Word 2007 documents for practice using Navigation Quick Keys
Keystrokes listing the Navigation Quick Keys available with Microsoft Word
Information on the new JAWS 10 Navigation Quick Key manager

New Surf's Up Training Posted

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:01:00 GMT

NEW! Surf's Up! - Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic, the Freedom Scientific Web pages that explain how to surf the Web with JAWS and MAGic, have been updated to help instructors and students take advantage of the new JAWS 10 features. Surf's Up now also includes help with using MAGic screen magnification software on the Web. Pay particular attention to the Forms page. It gives great details for using the new Auto Forms Mode function for JAWS! In addition, you'll find many new and updated exercises for practice throughout.

Visit Surf's Up online or get the Surf's Up downloadable version for use on computers with no Internet connection.

New Fall Workshops for JAWS and MAGic Announced

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Just in time for fall 2008, several new training workshops have been announced!

Basics of Scripting

New Workshop!
The original Basics of Scripting workshop is back by popular demand. This four-day hands-on workshop is designed for users who want to learn how to begin writing scripts with JAWS and MAGic. Learn how to use the Script manager to write and compile scripts. Learn the difference between scripts and functions, how to use variables and constants, speak or display messages in the virtual viewer, and more.

What's New in JAWS

New Workshop!
This new two-day workshop is designed for teachers, trainers, and others who are already familiar with JAWS, but who want to get specific training on the newest JAWS features.

Office 2007 with JAWS and MAGic

New Workshop!
This new three-day workshop is designed for teachers, trainers, and others who are already familiar with JAWS, but who want to get specific training on how to use JAWS with Microsoft Office 2007. Learn specific techniques in Word, Excel®, PowerPoint®, and Outlook® using the keyboard with JAWS.

Visit the Freedom Scientific Workshops page for the schedule of new workshops and more information on these and other upcoming training opportunities.

PAC Mate Omni Training in DAISY Text and Audio Format Now Available!

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 16:29:52 GMT

The first new DAISY book for the PAC Mate Omni is now available for download! This DAISY book is in both text and narrated audio format. These new DAISY books are in the process of being created, and more will follow in the coming days. Be sure to get the first one, Introduction to the PAC Mate Omni QX (DAISY 3.7MB), and check back soon for more.

In addition, for those who just want to hear the audio, the MP3 files are being made available separately from the DAISY books. Go to the PAC Mate training downloads section of the training downloads page to find these and other great training files.

PowerPoint 2003 Training with JAWS and MAGic

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 13:17:59 GMT

Learn how to create and give PowerPoint® 2003 presentations using JAWS® screen reading software and MAGic® screen magnification software. This lesson teaches you how to use the keyboard to create and give presentations, and includes a link to practice files.

Some of the things you will learn include:

Use JAWS or MAGic and the keyboard to create and present slide shows
Set a background color for all slides in the presentation
Use a photograph as a background for an entire slide
Label pictures and objects with alternate text
Use design templates in PowerPoint to choose a variety of different slides
Navigate at the object as well as the text entry level of slides
Insert a button to play a sound on a slide
Use slide animation effects to fly in bullet points one at a time
Rearrange animation effects for a more effective presentation
Insert and be able to read speaker's notes during your presentation
And much more!

Go to the PowerPoint 2003 with JAWS and MAGic training page now and get started, or use the link on that page to download the lesson along with practice files and work offline at your leisure.

Introduction to PAC Mate Omni from Jonathan Mosen, MP3 Audio

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 19:33:44 GMT

Download the MP3 audio file from Jonathan Mosen introducing the PAC Mate Omni and hear some of the new features described and demonstrated.

Introduction To the PAC Mate Omni by Jonathan Mosen (MP3 32.4MB)

Creating Accessible Forms in Excel using Input Messages, New DAISY Book!

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:17:00 GMT

A new DAISY book that teaches how to create accessible forms in Excel® is available from the Training Department.

Authors of workbooks using the Microsoft® spreadsheet program Excel can use the Input Message feature of Excel to create accessible forms that provide outstanding feedback and instructions for users of JAWS® screen reader software and MAGic® screen magnification software. Hyperlinks can be used to expedite navigation within the form for JAWS and MAGic users.

The new book is available for download in the JAWS and MAGic sections of the Training Downloads page. The title of the book is Creating Accessible Forms in Excel using Input Messages and is offered in a text-only DAISY format.

Training Lab in Saint Petersburg now Using Office 2007 and Windows Vista

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:16:00 GMT

When you visit the Saint Petersburg Training Headquarters to attend one of our hands-on workshops, you receive training in JAWS and MAGic using the latest versions of Windows Vista® and Office 2007! If you are new to working in either of these environments, consider signing up for one of our workshops soon, even if you have been to training here previously!

Training Downloads - New Web Page from the Training Department!

Fri, 11 Apr 2008 19:15:00 GMT

A new Web page with links for training materials has been posted by the Freedom Scientific Training Department. The Training Downloads page is your one-stop source for finding all of the free training materials we have available! Find that DAISY book or MP3 file you are looking for. Find training for multiple products in one place, instead of having to search through several different product pages. Please take advantage of all of the training information and materials we have posted here. We hope you will come back often to see what is new!

The Hadley School for the Blind to Sponsor a Webinar on JAWS and MAGic Training Resources

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:45:00 GMT

Eric Damery and Dan Clark from Freedom Scientific join George Abbott, Dean of Educational Programs and Instruction at the Hadley School for the Blind, on Wednesday, November 28, at 3:00 PM CST and 21:00 GMT, to discuss training resources for teachers, trainers, and users of JAWS® for Windows® screen reading software and MAGic® screen magnification software. Eric and Dan each have more than 10 years of adaptive technology industry experience, and work constantly to improve the methods and delivery of training materials.

To participate, please register for the seminar well in advance to get a password.

Basic Training for JAWS 9 Posted in DAISY and MP3 Format - Brand New!

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 19:45:00 GMT

The brand new JAWS 9 Basic Training has been posted in both DAISY (text and audio) and MP3 formats. The Basic Training for JAWS 9 was completely redone and recorded in Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007. This DAISY book contains almost nine hours of comprehensive training for all the essential functions of JAWS, including practice files you can use to follow along. You'll learn everything you need to know to get started quickly with JAWS and how to make use of its extensive set of features.

Download the Basic Training lessons complete DAISY files for JAWS 9 (325 MB).

For the JAWS 9 Basic Training in MP3 format, you have a choice of downloading the entire package or individual MP3 files. Visit the MP3 download section for JAWS 9 Basic Training to view the different modules available. New modules include:

The Adjust JAWS Options Dialog Box
The JAWS Startup Wizard
Office 2007 with MAGic and JAWS
Script Writing with MAGic and JAWS
And much more!

What's New for JAWS 9 Posted - New!

Fri, 09 Nov 2007 19:40:00 GMT

The What's New for JAWS 9 is now available for download in both DAISY and MP3 format! Get a preview of what's coming and listen as Eric Damery, Product Manager for JAWS, discusses The JAWS Startup Wizard, HTML formatting retained when selecting, copying, and pasting, the newly designed INSERT V JAWS options dialog box, and many other new additions! Download the What's New for JAWS 9 in one of the following formats:

Basic Training for MAGic 11 Posted in DAISY and MP3 Format - Brand New!

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:01:00 GMT

The brand new MAGic 11 Basic Training has been posted in both DAISY (text and audio) and MP3 formats. The Basic Training for MAGic 11 was completely redone and recorded in Windows Vista and Microsoft Office 2007. This DAISY book contains over five hours of comprehensive training for all the essential functions of MAGic, including practice files you can use to follow along. You'll learn everything you need to know to get started quickly with MAGic and how to make use of its extensive set of features.

Download the Basic Training lessons complete DAISY files for MAGic 11 (190 MB).

For the MAGic 11 Basic Training in MP3 format, you have a choice of downloading the entire package or individual MP3 files. Visit the MP3 download section for MAGic 11 Basic Training to view the different modules available. New modules include:

Office 2007 with MAGic and JAWS
SayAll and Alternate SayAll with RealSpeak Solo® SAPI 5 synthesizer for MAGic
Focus Enhancements
Script Writing with MAGic and JAWS
And much more!

Introduction to Vista for MAGic and JAWS Revised

Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:00:00 GMT

The DAISY book XTraJAWSAndMAGicIntroToVista has been revised. Because the installer puts them in the proper place for either JAWS or MAGic users to find them, please download the appropriate version. JAWS users please download XTraIntroToVistaJAWS and MAGic users please download XTraIntroToVistaMAGic. Note that the books are exactly identical in content, they just install to the proper location for each product.

These books are also available on the JAWS and MAGic Training Headquarters Web pages in MP3 format.

What's New for MAGic 11.0

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:46:00 GMT

The What's New for MAGic 11.0 is now available for download in both DAISY and MP3 format! Get a preview of what's coming and listen as Dusty Voorhees, Senior Product Manager, discusses Windows Vista™ support, Microsoft Office 2007 support, the inclusion of the new RealSpeak Solo speech synthesizer, the new Focus Enhancement feature, and many other new additions! Download the What's New for MAGic 11.0 in one of the following formats:

MAGic Keystrokes List Updated

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 17:45:00 GMT

To coincide with the release of the MAGic 11.0 public beta, the MAGic Keystrokes Web page has been updated. We've added new keystrokes and made some corrections in the Microsoft Excel keystrokes section. It contains a list of all the MAGic keystrokes in one HTML page. Use the MAGic list of headings to move to the keystroke section you want or use the Find command to search through the entire document to search for different items. An updated version of the MAGic keystrokes in accessible PDF format is also available for download.

JAWS and MAGic: an Introduction to Windows Vista - New DAISY book

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:30:00 GMT

NEW from the Training Department at Freedom Scientific!

Be the first to get your copy of the free book that introduces JAWS and MAGic users to the Windows Vista environment! This brand new DAISY book is available for download on the Freedom Scientific JAWS Training Headquarters Web page. The new book is formatted in both text and audio DAISY format, proven to be the best for all-around learning. Read it at your own pace with JAWS or MAGic, or sit back and relax as you listen to the narrated audio. One hour and 18 minutes in length, topics covered in this book include:

Installing JAWS or MAGic in Windows Vista (installation, authorization, activation, startup wizard, and RealSpeak Solo synthesizer installation)
User Account Control (UAC) - What is it? How do I enable or disable it?
Main parts of the Windows Vista Screen
Main parts of the Start menu (search edit field, all programs, right pane, tab order in the Start menu, turning off the computer)
Uninstall or Change a Program
Windows Vista Explorer
Volume Mixer
Sidebar and Gadgets

Visit the JAWS Training Headquarters and choose the link JAWS and MAGic: an Introduction to Windows Vista to begin the download. The book is also available on the JAWS Training Headquarters in MP3 format.

NEW! Supporting and Teaching Windows with JAWS and MAGic, Now Includes Using MAGic With JAWS

Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:30:00 GMT

As JAWS and MAGic continue to grow and improve, so has our training. If you have not attended a JAWS workshop in the last few years, you'll want to get caught up with the latest features and techniques. Now includes MAGic as part of the documentation and training. Use both JAWS and MAGic together during the workshop and experience the total solution! Read more about our extended training on the JAWS training workshops page and sign up now to enhance your skill set.

Laptop Keystrokes DAISY Book

Thu, 10 May 2007 12:15:00 GMT

Laptop Keystrokes with JAWS is the latest new free DAISY book from the Freedom Scientific Training Department. This brand new text and audio DAISY book is posted on the JAWS Training Headquarters page. Laptop Keystrokes with JAWS shows you how to make the most of JAWS when using a laptop keyboard instead of a regular desktop keyboard.

Learn why power JAWS users set JAWS to laptop layout even when they are using a regular keyboard.
Use the included sample practice document to practice laptop reading commands with JAWS.
Use the included complete list of JAWS keystrokes to find other keystrokes you may not be familiar with.

Laptop Keystrokes with JAWS is available for download today! The new DAISY book is 17 minutes in length and will prove invaluable to students and business people alike who routinely use a laptop with JAWS.

Supporting and Teaching Windows with JAWS--Updated, Now Five Days

Thu, 10 May 2007 12:10:00 GMT

As JAWS continues to grow and improve, so has our training. If you have not attended a JAWS workshop in the last few years, you'll want to get caught up with the latest features and techniques. Read more about our extended training on the JAWS training workshops page and sign up now to enhance your skill set.

MAGic Keystrokes Guide

Thu, 10 May 2007 12:05:00 GMT

New from the Training Department! Now available: a list of all the MAGic keystrokes in one HTML page. Use the MAGic list of headings to move to the keystroke section you want or use the Find command to search through the entire document to search for different items. A version of the MAGic keystrokes in PDF format is also available.

New JAWS Training Workshops Posted

Thu, 10 May 2007 12:00:00 GMT

JAWS Training in Athens, Georgia, July 10-11, 2007, at Advanced Learning Technologies (ALT)

The Alternative Media Access Center (AMAC) will host a two-day training seminar on the use of JAWS, a powerful accessibility solution that reads information on the computer screen using synthesized speech. The seminar will be held July 10th and 11th from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the offices of Advanced Learning Technologies in Athens. (Directions to ALT)

The seminar is free to participants from University System of Georgia (USG) schools who are members of AMAC. The cost is $150.00 for participants from USG non-member schools, and $300.00 for participants from other institutions. Seating is limited to 15 and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Lunch is not included in the registration. CEUs are available.

In addition to its screen reading capabilities, JAWS, by Freedom Scientific provides many useful commands that make it easier to use programs, edit documents, and read Web pages. With a refreshable braille display, JAWS also can provide braille output in addition to, or instead of, speech. An array of versatile features and customizable options lets the user tailor JAWS for individual needs and preferences.

To register for the seminar please visit the training Web page for AMAC.

Freedom Scientific - Training Headquarters

E-learning Webinar Schedule for the First Part of 2010

E-learning Schedule for the First Part of 2010

Free Webinars

Paid Webinars

Archives of Paid Webinar Training

Archives of Free Webinar Training

Research It DAISY Book Available

Research It DAISY Book Released

New Office 2007 Webinars from Freedom Scientific for the Fourth Quarter of 2009

Schedule of Webinars in the Fourth Quarter

Free Webinars from Freedom Scientific for the Third Quarter of 2009

PDF Document Reading and Strategies with JAWS and MAGic, July 28, 2009

What Are Scripts? Basics of Scripting, July 30, 2009

Script Manager, Basics of Scripting, August 4, 2009

Surf's Up! Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic! August 12 - September 16, 2009

Using the Keyboard with T&T Technology: J-Tools and J-Tunes, August 20

JAWS and MAGic Reading Commands and Cursors Used by JAWS, September 23

Free Webinar on Accessible Tables in Word and Ranges in Excel - June 24 at 2 PM Eastern

Date: June 24, 2009

Description:

Four New Free Webinars from the Training Department to Celebrate in July

Links to Archived Webinars, MP3 Files, and HTML Lessons Added to e-Learning Page

Glen Gordon: Free Webinar on ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications)

Date: May 26, 2009

Free JAWS and MAGic Training Webinars March 24 and 26

JAWS and MAGic Reading Commands and Cursors Used by JAWS Date: March 24, 2009

Surf's Up! Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic! DATE: March 26 - April 29, 2009 (individual lesson dates are listed below)

Announcing the Spring/Summer 2009 Training Workshop Schedule

Discounted Tuition Rates and Free Products

Contact the Training Department

Revised Basics of Scripting Manual Posted

Download the Basics of Scripting Manual.

Three New Ways to Learn How To Test Web Pages with JAWS

Online Learning Now Available from the Freedom Scientific Training Department

What's New in JAWS 10 DAISY and MP3 Files Posted

Use Check for Updates to Find the What's New in JAWS 10 DAISY Book

MP3 Version of the What's New in JAWS 10.

JAWS 10 Basic Training Released!

Use Check for Updates to Download Training Materials

Getting Started with JAWS Updated for JAWS 10

Public EASI Webinar: Making Accessible Forms in MS Word

Thursday October 16 at 2 PM Eastern

JAWS Navigation Quick Keys in Microsoft Word

New Surf's Up Training Posted

New Fall Workshops for JAWS and MAGic Announced

Basics of Scripting

What's New in JAWS

Office 2007 with JAWS and MAGic

PAC Mate Omni Training in DAISY Text and Audio Format Now Available!

PowerPoint 2003 Training with JAWS and MAGic

Introduction to PAC Mate Omni from Jonathan Mosen, MP3 Audio

Creating Accessible Forms in Excel using Input Messages, New DAISY Book!

Training Lab in Saint Petersburg now Using Office 2007 and Windows Vista

Training Downloads - New Web Page from the Training Department!

The Hadley School for the Blind to Sponsor a Webinar on JAWS and MAGic Training Resources

Basic Training for JAWS 9 Posted in DAISY and MP3 Format - Brand New!

What's New for JAWS 9 Posted - New!

Basic Training for MAGic 11 Posted in DAISY and MP3 Format - Brand New!

Introduction to Vista for MAGic and JAWS Revised

What's New for MAGic 11.0

MAGic Keystrokes List Updated

JAWS and MAGic: an Introduction to Windows Vista - New DAISY book

NEW! Supporting and Teaching Windows with JAWS and MAGic, Now Includes Using MAGic With JAWS

Laptop Keystrokes DAISY Book

Supporting and Teaching Windows with JAWS--Updated, Now Five Days

MAGic Keystrokes Guide

New JAWS Training Workshops Posted

JAWS and MAGic Reading Commands and Cursors Used by JAWS
Date: March 24, 2009

Surf's Up! Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic!
DATE: March 26 - April 29, 2009 (individual lesson dates are listed below)