JAWS Braille Input Commands for Focus Blue Displays

JAWS supports a series of keystrokes that allow you to input braille commands and also control your computer (see BrailleIn™ description below). Below are keystrokes that support Freedom Scientific's Focus braille displays. For other braille displays, contact the manufacturer for a list of keystrokes.

Many commands listed here include the word "CHORD." To perform a chorded command, you always include the SPACEBAR as part of the command. For example, L CHORD or DOTS 1-2-3 and the SPACEBAR.

Modifier Keys

Use the modifier keys to simulate key combinations (keystrokes) that include CTRL, ALT, WINDOWS Key, SHIFT, or the JAWS Key (INSERT). To use these modifiers when typing a keystroke, do the following:

  1. Hold down DOT 8 CHORD and then press the corresponding modifier keys in the keystroke. Modifier keystrokes are listed in the following table.
  2. After you create the modifier portion of the keystroke, release the keys and press the remaining part of the keystroke. For example, to perform the keystroke CTRL+SHIFT+V, you press DOTS 3-7-8 CHORD, release the keys, and then press V (DOTS 1-2-3-6).
Key Name Keystroke
Function Keys (F1 through F12)
For more information, see the Function Keys description.
DOT 1
INSERT DOT 2
CTRL DOT 3
WINDOWS Key DOT 4
JAWS Key DOT 5
ALT DOT 6
SHIFT DOT 7

Instead of memorizing these keys by their dot position, it may be easier to learn the finger with which each key would be associated. When all of your fingers are on the braille keyboard, the layout would be:

Key Name Finger position
Function Keys (F1 through F12) Left index finger
WINDOWS Key Right index finger
INSERT Left middle finger
JAWS Key Right middle finger
CTRL Left ring finger
ALT Right ring finger
SHIFT Left little finger

Notice that you can create a rather loose correlation between pairs of fingers in this description. For example, the left index finger is Function Keys while the right index finger is the WINDOWS key. A stronger correlation can be made with the left and right middle fingers. The left is the INSERT Key and the right is the JAWS key, both often serving the same purpose in JAWS usage. Finally, the left and right ring fingers are the CTRL and ALT keys respectively, which make these two positions easier to remember.

Once this layout is understood, it is easy to grasp that Any time a modifier key, or combination of modifier keys is used as part of a command, DOT 8 CHORD will always be included.

Finally, pressing any of these modifier keys with DOT 8 CHORD is the same as pressing and holding any of the equivalent keys on the QWERTY keyboard. The computer is waiting for the key or keys which the modifier keys will modify. So, pressing DOTS 3-8 CHORD is the same as pressing the CTRL key. Windows then waits for the key which will complete the CTRL combination, such as the letter A to make CTRL+A to select all, or the letter C to make CTRL+C to copy the selected text to the clipboard. Repetition of frequently used keystrokes such as the CTRL key combinations already mentioned, Windows commands such as WINDOWS Key+M, and JAWS commands such as INSERT+T should imprint these key associations firmly in your memory.

Function Keys

To simulate the function keys (F1 through F12), press DOTS 1-8 CHORD followed by A through L (which correspond to 1 through 12). For example, to simulate the F6 key, press DOTS 1-8 CHORD, then F (DOTS 1-2-4). If the function key is part of a key combination, add the appropriate modifiers while holding down DOTS 1-8 CHORD. For example, to simulate the keystroke INSERT+F2, press DOTS 1-2-8 CHORD, then B (DOTS 1-2).

Special Keys

Use these keystrokes to simulate certain keys that are not available on the Focus braille keyboard. These keys can be combined with the modifier keys described previously. For your convenience, both keystrokes and braille dot patterns are provided. If no dot pattern equivalent is available, a dash appears in the table cell.

Key Name Keystroke DOTS Pattern
ESC RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 1 or Z CHORD RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 1 or DOTS 1-3-5-6 CHORD
ALT RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 2 -
APPLICATION Key RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 2 CHORD -
NUM PAD ASTERISK RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 3 -
WINDOWS Key RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 4 -
NUM PAD SLASH RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7 RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7
CAPS LOCK RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7 CHORD or RIGHT SHIFT+K RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7 CHORD or RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3
NUM PAD PLUS RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 8 -
BACKSPACE DOT 7 -
ENTER DOT 8 -
CTRL+BACKSPACE DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 CHORD -
TAB DOTS 4-5 CHORD -
SHIFT+TAB B CHORD DOTS 1-2 CHORD
HOME K CHORD DOTS 1-3 CHORD
END DOTS 4-6 CHORD -
PAGE UP LEFT SELECT+ROCKER BAR UP or RIGHT SELECT+ROCKER BAR UP or DOTS 2-3-7 CHORD -
PAGE DOWN LEFT SELECT+ROCKER BAR DOWN or RIGHT SELECT+ROCKER BAR DOWN or DOTS 5-6-7 CHORD -
DELETE FOR CHORD or LEFT SHIFT+D DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6 CHORD or LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-4-5
EQUALS DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6 -
RIGHT BRACKET DOTS 1-2-4-5-6-7 -
LEFT BRACKET DOTS 2-4-6-7 -
BACKSLASH DOTS 1-2-5-6-7 -
SLASH DOTS 3-4 -
LEFT PARENTHESIS DOTS 1-2-3-5-6 -
RIGHT PARENTHESIS DOTS 2-3-4-5-6 -
APOSTROPHE DOT 3 -
DASH DOTS 3-6 -
GRAVE DOT 4 -
PERIOD DOTS 4-6 -
QUESTION MARK DOTS 1-4-5-6 -
EXCLAMATION MARK DOTS 2-3-4-6 -
SEMICOLON DOTS 5-6 -
COMMA DOT 6 -

Use these keystrokes to perform various JAWS navigation commands. Both keystrokes and braille dot patterns are provided in the table. If no dot pattern equivalent is available, a dash appears in the table cell.

Description Keystroke DOTS Pattern
Say Prior Character DOT 3 CHORD -
Say Next Character DOT 6 CHORD -
Say Character DOTS 3-6 CHORD -
Say Prior Word DOT 2 CHORD -
Say Next Word DOT 5 CHORD -
Say Word DOTS 2-5 CHORD -
Say Prior Line DOT 1 CHORD or LEFT ROCKER BAR UP -
Say Next Line DOT 4 CHORD or LEFT ROCKER BAR DOWN -
Say Line C CHORD DOTS 1-4 CHORD
Say Prior Sentence LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR UP -
Say Next Sentence LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR DOWN -
Say Sentence LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT SHIFT+C LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-4
Say Prior Paragraph RIGHT SHIFT+LEFT ROCKER BAR UP -
Say Next Paragraph RIGHT SHIFT+LEFT ROCKER BAR DOWN -
Say Paragraph LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-5-6-7-8 -
Move to Top of File L CHORD DOTS 1-2-3 CHORD
Move to Bottom of File DOTS 4-5-6 CHORD -
Say to Cursor RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-7 -
Say from Cursor RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 6-8 -
Say All DOTS 1-2-4-5-6 CHORD -
Say Top Line of Active Window LEFT ROCKER BAR UP+RIGHT ROCKER BAR UP -
Say Bottom Line of Active Window LEFT ROCKER BAR DOWN+RIGHT ROCKER BAR DOWN -
Previous Document Window DOTS 2-3 CHORD -
Next Document Window DOTS 5-6 CHORD -
Open List Box LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR DOWN -
Close List Box LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR UP -
Exit Forms Mode X CHORD DOTS 1-3-4-6 CHORD
Say Window Prompt and Text G CHORD DOTS 1-2-4-5 CHORD

Microsoft Word Navigation Quick Keys

Use these keystrokes to navigate Microsoft Word documents. Navigation Quick Keys must be enabled in order for these commands to function (DOT 8 CHORD, DOT 2 followed by DOTS 1-3-5-6). Note that you can add DOT 7 to most of the keystrokes in the table below to move to the previous element of that type in the document. Both keystrokes and braille dot patterns are provided in the table. If no dot pattern equivalent is available, a dash appears in the table cell.

Description Keystroke DOTS Pattern
Next Grammatical Error A DOT 1
Next Bookmark B DOTS 1-2
Next Combo Form Field C DOTS 1-4
Next Endnote D DOTS 1-4-5
Next Edit Form Field E DOTS 1-5
Next Form Field F DOTS 1-2-4
Next Graphic G DOTS 1-2-4-5
Next Heading H DOTS 1-2-5
Next List L DOTS 1-2-3
Next Spelling Error M DOTS 1-3-4
Next Comment N DOTS 1-3-4-5
Next Footnote O DOTS 1-3-5
Next Paragraph P DOTS 1-2-3-4
Next Revision R DOTS 1-2-3-5
Next Section S DOTS 2-3-4
Next Table T DOTS 2-3-4-5
Next Check Box Form Field X DOTS 1-3-4-6
Next Page SPACEBAR -
Previous Page BACKSPACE DOT 7

Selection Commands

Use these keystrokes to select characters, lines, and other page elements. Both keystrokes and braille dot patterns are provided in the table. If no dot pattern equivalent is available, a dash appears in the table cell.

Description Keystroke DOTS Pattern
Select Prior Character LEFT SHIFT+DOT 3 or DOTS 3-7 CHORD -
Select Next Character LEFT SHIFT+DOT 6 or DOTS 6-7 CHORD -
Select Prior Word DOTS 2-7 CHORD -
Select Next Word DOTS 5-7 CHORD -
Select Prior Line LEFT SHIFT+DOT 1 or DOTS 1-7 CHORD -
Select Next Line LEFT SHIFT+DOT 4 or DOTS 4-7 CHORD -
Select Prior Screen LEFT SHIFT+K LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3
Select Next Screen LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-6 -
Select from Start of Line LEFT SHIFT+DOT 2 or DOTS 1-3-7 CHORD -
Select to End of Line LEFT SHIFT+DOT 5 or DOTS 4-6-7 CHORD -
Select from Top LEFT SHIFT+L or L+DOTS 7 CHORD LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3 or DOTS 1-2-3-7 CHORD
Select to Bottom LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-5-6 or DOTS 4-5-6-7 CHORD -
Select All LEFT SHIFT+FOR Sign LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6
Move To Beginning Of Line ROCKER BAR UP+PANNING BUTTON -
Move To End Of Line ROCKER BAR DOWN+PANNING BUTTON -

Braille Commands

Use these keystrokes to configure various braille functions. Both keystrokes and braille dot patterns are provided in the table.

Description Keystroke DOTS Pattern
Grade 2 Expand Current Word T CHORD DOTS 2-3-4-5 CHORD
Grade 2 Translation DOTS 1-2-4-5-7 CHORD DOTS 1-2-4-5-7 CHORD
Toggle Characters and Attributes CH Sign CHORD DOTS 1-6 CHORD
Cycle Among Braille Display Modes M CHORD DOTS 1-3-4 CHORD
Toggle 8/6 DOTS Braille 8 CHORD DOTS 2-3-6 CHORD
Change Cursor Shape SH Sign CHORD DOTS 1-4-6 CHORD
Restrict Braille Cursor R CHORD DOTS 1-2-3-5 CHORD
Switch Braille Translation Table DOTS 2-3-4-5-7 CHORD DOTS 2-3-4-5-7 CHORD

Windows Commands

Use these keystrokes for basic editing functions in Windows.

Description Braille Sign DOTS Pattern
ALT+TAB LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-5 LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-5
Paste from Clipboard LEFT SHIFT+V LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3-6
Copy to Clipboard LEFT SHIFT+C LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-4
Cut to Clipboard LEFT SHIFT+X LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3-4-6
Undo LEFT SHIFT+Z LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3-5-6
Delete LEFT SHIFT+D LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-4-5

JAWS Commands

Use these keystrokes to perform some of the more common JAWS functions.

Description Braille Sign DOTS Pattern
JAWS Window RIGHT SHIFT+J RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-4-5
Quick Settings RIGHT SHIFT+V RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3-6
List Frames RIGHT SHIFT+9 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-5
List Headings RIGHT SHIFT+6 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-5
List Links RIGHT SHIFT+7 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-5-6
Open Task List RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-5-6 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-5-6
List System Tray Icons RIGHT SHIFT+K RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3
Say System Time RIGHT SHIFT DOTS 1-2-3 RIGHT SHIFT DOTS 1-2-3
Drag and Drop RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-7 CHORD -
Refresh Screen RIGHT SHIFT+Z RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3-5-6
Say Font RIGHT SHIFT+F RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4
Toggle Keyboard Help QUESTION MARK CHORD DOTS 1-4-5-6 CHORD
Windows Keys Help RIGHT SHIFT+W RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-4-5-6
Read Current Window RIGHT SHIFT+B RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2
Default Button in Dialog RIGHT SHIFT+E RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-5
Shut DOWN JAWS RIGHT SHIFT+4 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-5-6
Select a Voice Profile RIGHT SHIFT+S RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-4
Silence Speech LEFT or RIGHT SHIFT -

Cursor Functions

Use these keystrokes to select one of the cursors used by JAWS.

Description Braille Sign DOTS Pattern
JAWS Cursor J CHORD DOTS 2-4-5 CHORD
PC Cursor P CHORD DOTS 1-2-3-4 CHORD
Touch Cursor DOTS 1-2-5-6 CHORD DOTS 1-2-5-6 CHORD
Route JAWS to PC RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-6 (MINUS Sign) RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-6
Route PC to JAWS RIGHT SHIFT+ING Sign (PLUS Sign) RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-4-6
Braille Follows Active DOTS 1-2-6 CHORD DOTS 1-2-6 CHORD
Active Follows Braille DOTS 1-2-7 CHORD DOTS 1-2-7 CHORD
Route Braille Cursor to PC Cursor LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 3-4-6 LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 3-4-6
Route Braille Cursor to Active Cursor LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT SHIFT or LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 3-6 LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT SHIFT or LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 3-6

Touch Cursor Functions

Use these keystrokes to navigate using the Touch Cursor.


Description Braille Sign DOTS Pattern
Touch Cursor DOTS 1-2-5-6 CHORD DOTS 1-2-5-6 CHORD
Prior Element DOTS 1-2 CHORD DOTS 1-2 CHORD
Next Element DOTS 4-5 CHORD DOTS 4-5 CHORD
Say Current Element C CHORD DOTS 1-4 CHORD
Next Element by Type (specified in the navigation rotor) LEFT or RIGHT ROCKER DOWN LEFT or RIGHT ROCKER DOWN
Prior Element by Type (specified in the navigation rotor) LEFT or RIGHT ROCKER UP LEFT or RIGHT ROCKER UP
Move Forward Through Navigation Types LEFT SELECT+LEFT ROCKER DOWN, RIGHT SELECT+LEFT ROCKER DOWN, LEFT SELECT+RIGHT ROCKER DOWN, or RIGHT SELECT+RIGHT ROCKER DOWN LEFT SELECT+LEFT ROCKER DOWN, RIGHT SELECT+LEFT ROCKER DOWN, LEFT SELECT+RIGHT ROCKER DOWN, or RIGHT SELECT+RIGHT ROCKER DOWN
Move Backward Through Navigation Types LEFT SELECT+LEFT ROCKER UP, RIGHT SELECT+LEFT ROCKER UP, LEFT SELECT+RIGHT ROCKER UP, or RIGHT SELECT+RIGHT ROCKER UP LEFT SELECT+LEFT ROCKER UP, RIGHT SELECT+LEFT ROCKER UP, LEFT SELECT+RIGHT ROCKER UP, or RIGHT SELECT+RIGHT ROCKER UP
Move to First Element LEFT PANNING+LEFT or RIGHT SELECT or L CHORD LEFT PANNING+LEFT or RIGHT SELECT or DOTS 1-2-3 CHORD
Move to Last Element RIGHT PANNING+LEFT or RIGHT SELECT or DOTS 4-5-6 CHORD LEFT PANNING+LEFT or RIGHT SELECT or DOTS 4-5-6 CHORD
Activate Current Element CURSOR ROUTING BUTTON CURSOR ROUTING BUTTON
Activate Text Review Mode RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7 RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7
Turn Off Text Review Mode RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 1 or X CHORD RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 1 or DOTS 1-3-4-6 CHORD
Toggle Advanced Navigation RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 3 or press and hold a cursor routing button RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 3 or press and hold a cursor routing button

Utility Functions

Use these keystrokes for general utility functions.

Description Braille Sign DOTS Pattern
Run JAWS Manager RIGHT SHIFT+2 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3
Set Frame Top LEFT RIGHT SHIFT+OW Sign RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-4-6
Set Frame Bottom RIGHT RIGHT SHIFT+ER Sign RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4-5-6
Graphics Labeler RIGHT SHIFT+G RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4-5
JAWS Find RIGHT SHIFT+F CHORD RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4 CHORD
JAWS Find Next RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-5 RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-5

Using BrailleIn to Type with Contracted Braille

The BrailleIn feature lets you type in contracted braille using your Perkins-style keyboard. The input is immediately translated back as normal text in your current e-mail, document, or form. If an application or specific edit box does not support contracted braille, JAWS announces "Computer Braille" when tutor messages are enabled. In addition, the Computer Braille start symbol, dots 4-5-6 followed by dots 3-4-6, is shown on the braille display to indicate when Computer Braille is required.

Computer braille input is selected by default. To use contracted braille, do the following:

  1. Press INSERT+F2, and select Settings Center.
  2. To apply changes to all applications, press CTRL+SHIFT+D to load the JAWS default settings. To apply changes to a specific application, select it from the Applications combo box.
  3. In the Search edit box, type "Translation" without the quotes.
  4. Press DOWN ARROW to move to Translation in the filtered search results in the tree view and press ENTER to move focus to the Translation group. Press RIGHT ARROW to expand the group.
  5. Press SPACEBAR to cycle through the different settings in the Output combo box to configure the mode for reading braille on your display.
    The first option is always Computer Braille. The other available options depend on the currently selected language. For example, when the language is set to English United States, which is the default setting, the available output modes are U.S. English Grade 1, U.S. English Grade 2, Unified English Braille Grade 1, and Unified English Braille Grade 2. If you set the language to French, the available modes are French Grade 1 and French Grade 2. The default output mode is Computer Braille.
  6. Press SPACEBAR to cycle through the different settings in the Input combo box to specify the input mode used when typing braille from the Perkins-style keyboard on your display.
    The first option is always Computer Braille. The other available option depends on the currently selected output mode. For instance, if you have chosen to display Unified English Braille Grade 2, then you can choose to type in either Computer Braille or Unified English Braille Grade 2. The default input mode is Computer Braille. This setting is not available if the selected output mode is Computer Braille, or the selected output mode does not support input.
  7. Choose OK to save your changes and close Settings Center.

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