Activity
FS Companion: AI tool for JAWS
Can't remember a JAWS command? Need step-by-step instructions? Tired of searching through internet queries for answers? This AI tool is for you!
JAWS (Job Access With Speech) screen reader, while powerful, can be challenging for new users due to its complex navigation and reliance on keyboard shortcuts. It demands a strong understanding of screen reader commands and can feel overwhelming with its extensive set of features. JAWS screen reader relies on a large set of keyboard commands, which can be challenging to learn and remember, especially for beginners. Each command serves a specific function, and these commands vary based on the context—whether you’re reading text, navigating a webpage or filling out a form.
Can’t remember a keyboard shortcut? Learning how to navigate a webpage? Tired of searching through manuals or internet queries for answers? Freedom Scientific has utilized AI to assist users in learning JAWS, providing an opportunity for people to ask questions about performing tasks with the software. This new AI tool for JAWS is called FS Companion.
What’s really cool is that you do not have to have JAWS in order to access FS Companion!
Here’s the description from the Freedom Scientific website:
- FS Companion: This new AI-powered assistant is trained to help JAWS users easily navigate JAWS, Microsoft applications, and Windows. Users can ask FS Companion how to complete specific tasks, such as locating a setting in Word or accessing a particular JAWS feature and receive immediate step-by-step guidance without searching multiple resources.
How to use FS Companion
It’s very easy to use FS Companion Beta.
When the page loads, the JAWS focus is on the edit box, so you can instantly begin your query. There is a welcoming message at the top of the screen with this message:
“Hello there! I’m excited to help you learn more about JAWS.
Here are some things to know about our conversation:
- You can use the H, shift + H, Tab, Shift + Tab, up arrow and down arrow keys to navigate between messages.
- Use the New Conversation button to start a conversation about a new topic.
To get started just type your question in the chat box below.”
You can navigate between the questions you ask by pressing h for headings, then read the answers FS Companion provides by pressing the down arrow.
Example questions
The following question thread is an example of how one question can lead to another.
Example 1 question
On a web page, how do you navigate to the main content?
Example 1 answer
To navigate to the main content on a web page using JAWS, you can use the Quick Navigation Key Q. Simply press Q to move to the main region of the page. If you need to move back to the previous main region, you can press Shift + Q. This allows you to quickly access the main content without having to manually scroll through other elements on the page.”
– Response completed in 3.49 seconds
Example 2 question
What commands are used to navigate a web page?
Example 2 answer
When navigating a web page with JAWS, you can use a variety of commands to efficiently move through different elements. Here are some key navigation commands:
- Move to Next heading: Press H to jump the next heading. Use Shift + H to move to the previous heading.
- Move to the Next Link: Press Tab to move to the next link, and Shift + Tab to move to the previous link.
- Move to the Next Form Control: Press F to move to the next form control. Use Shift + F to move to the previous form control.
- Move to the Next Table: Press T to jump to the next table. Use Shift + T to move to the previous Table.
- Move to the Next List: Press L to move to the next list. Use Shift + L to move to the previous list.
- Move to the next Region: Press R to move to the next region. Use Shift + R to move to the previous region.
- Move to the main region: Press Q to quickly jump to the main content area of the page.
Additionally, you can use the following commands to manage lists and other elements:
- List Links: Press Insert + F7 to display a list of all links on the page.
- List Headings: Press Insert + F6 to display a list of all headings.
- List Form Fields: Press Insert + F5 to display a list of all form fields.
These commands help you to navigate web pages more efficiently by allowing to jump directly to specific types of content.
-Response completed in 6.7 seconds.
Example 3 question
What is a region?
Example 3 answer
In the context of web accessibility and screen readers like JAWS, a “region” refers to a section of a web page that is marke dup with HTML5 semantic elements or ARIA landmarks. These regions help users navigate the page more efficiently be defining specific areas of content. Common regions include:
- Main: The primary content of the page, typically marked with the <main> element.
- Banner: Usually contains the site header and is marked with the <header> element or role=”banner”.
- Navigation: Contains the navigation links, marked with the <nav> element or role=”navigation”.
- Complementary: Provides additional content that complements the main content, often marked with the <aside> element or role=”complementary”.
- Contentinfo: Typically contains the footer informatin, marked with the <footer> element or role=”contentinfo”.
These regions allow screen reader users to quickly jump to specific parts of a web page using keyboard shortcuts, enhancing the browsing experience by making it easer to locate and focus on desired content.
- Response completed in 3.48 seconds
Example 4 question
Define region for a child.
Example 4 answer
A “region” on a web page is like a special section or area that has a specific purpose. Image a web page as a big book, and regions are like different chapters or parts of the book. Each region might have a different job, like showing the main story, the table of contents, or extra information on the side.
For example:
- The Main Region is where the mains tory or content is, just like the main part of a book.
- The Navigation Region is like a table of contents that helps you find you way around the book.
- The Footer Region is like the back of the book, where you might find extra notes or information.
These regions help people, especially those using screen readers, to easily find and jump to the parts of the web page they want to read or explore.
-Response completed in 4.72 seconds
Want to see FS Companion in action? Watch this FS Companion YouTube video by Freedom Scientific:
Benefits of using FS Companion
As an educator, I’m thrilled to use FS Companion to enhance student instruction. It allows me to quickly locate forgotten or unfamiliar commands, follow step-by-step task instructions and request teaching ideas, simplified wording and concept development.
For example, when I asked for “Activities to teach a young student about the ribbon in Word,” FS Companion suggested five specific activities.
FS Companion is an excellent way for students to independently find answers to their JAWS-related questions. Instead of providing step-by-step instructions, encourage your student to use FS Companion for assistance!
Some things a student might ask:
- How do I use google docs with JAWS?
- What are important keyboard commands when using windows?
- How do I create a bar chart in Excel?
- How do I add a citation in a Word?
To access FS Companion
To open FS Companion while running JAWS use Insert + space, F1. You must be running JAWS 2025 in order open FS Companion from within the program!
Go to fscompanion.ai to open FS Companion without running JAWS or when running an older version of JAWS.
Resource
By Diane Brauner
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