What is JAWS?

JAWS for Windows is a powerful accessibility solution that reads information on your screen using synthesized speech. JAWS provides many useful commands that make it easier to use programs, edit documents, and read Web pages. With a refreshable braille display, JAWS can also provide braille output in addition to, or instead of, speech. An array of versatile features and customizable options lets you tailor JAWS for your individual needs and preferences.

For information on what you need to use JAWS for Windows on your computer, see System Requirements.

What Users Say About JAWS

Here's what one prominent eye doctor says about using JAWS: "After losing my vision, I realized the importance of assistive technology as part of optometric rehabilitation. I would not be able to perform my duties as the Chief of Low Vision if I didn't have JAWS." - Dr. Bill Takeshita, OD, FAAO, FCOVD, Chief of Low Vision, Center for the Partially Sighted, Los Angeles, CA, Director of Low Vision, Braille Institute of America

Read more user stories and testimonials about JAWS

Submit Your Own JAWS comments

Online Training Now Available

RSS Feeds on the Web

Feeds on the Web allow you to automatically receive updated information from your favorite Web sites. Just subscribe to the feed and then your Internet Explorer or other feed reader shows when there is updated content. Learn more about RSS Feeds on the Web and how to subscribe to and use them.

Spring and Summer Workshops for JAWS and MAGic

• Office 2007 with JAWS and MAGic, May 12-15, 2009: Four days for those who are already familiar with JAWS and MAGic but want to get specific training on how to use JAWS and MAGic with Microsoft Office 2007.


• Web Page Testing with JAWS, either May 27-28, 2009.
• Basics of Scripting with JAWS and MAGic, June 16-19, 2009: Four days for users who want to learn how to begin writing scripts with JAWS and MAGic® screen magnification software.
• Script Development with JAWS and MAGic, June 22-26, 2009.

Visit the workshop schedule page for more information and to register.

Third-party Accessibility Applications

British-based T&T Consultancy has created a number of applications that expand the practical usability of JAWS for Windows.

• J-Tools provides tools for working within word processing,
  e-mail, the Outlook calendar, and Internet-based environments. It includes a simplified method for selecting or highlighting text; replication of regularly-used words and phrases in text documents with minimum key strokes; and more.



• J-Say brings together Dragon NaturallySpeaking® and JAWS, presenting the users with an easy to understand interface enabling interaction with the computer using natural language and easy to remember and understand vocabulary.



• J-Tunes offers music lovers, who either own or do not own one of the Apple iPod® products, a variety of features that turn the computer into an incredible music management system



• Say-MAGic brings together Dragon NaturallySpeaking Professional 10 from Nuance® Communications and MAGic 11 screen magnification to present an easy to understand interface, enabling interaction with the computer using natural language and easy to remember and understand vocabulary.

Visit the T&T Web site for more information about these innovative applications.

New Surf's Up Training

Surf's Up! - Surfing the Internet with JAWS and MAGic, the Freedom Scientific Web pages that explain how to surf the Web with JAWS screen reading software and MAGic screen magnification software, 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.

International JAWS

Note: A synthesizer that supports the given language is required for reading some of these pages with JAWS.

• Freedom Scientific European Web site
• Japanese JAWS Web site
• The complete Russian localization of JAWS 8.0
• Sight and Sound Technology (UK)
• Karishma Enterprises for JAWS 9 with a RealSpeak SAPI 5 Hindi voice