AI-Generated Transcript
Everybody, thank you for attending Basics with Bits. We’re here today to talk about different ways to use and manipulate JAWS, including a built-in AI feature that helps you look up commands you may have forgotten or don’t know.
I’m joined by Christina Brinno, part of the Basics with Bits subcommittee under the education committee. We’ll present on both FS Companion and JAWS layered keystrokes.
Christina, would you like to say anything before we begin?
Hi everyone, I’m Christina. As Tyson mentioned, this is my first BITS training, so I hope everything goes smoothly.
We promise we’ll be gentle.
Thank you.
We’ll start with FS Companion, give a short overview and demo, then take a few questions before moving into the JAWS keyboard layer.
That works.
I’m going to press Windows+D to move to the desktop.
When working in a Word document or Google Doc, if you don’t remember a JAWS keystroke, there are several ways to find it. One of the fastest and most consistent methods is using JAWS itself. It also provides many Microsoft commands. It works by prompting it like any AI tool.
First, how do we access FS Companion?
For those unfamiliar with layered keys: a layered key is a set of secondary commands in JAWS. Since JAWS relies heavily on first-letter navigation (like E for edit boxes, L for lists), layered commands allow access to additional features like PictureSmart, volume controls, and more.
To enter the layer, press Insert+Space. On laptop layout, use Caps Lock+Space. I’m using Caps Lock.
You’ll hear a tone indicating the layer is active. Then press F1. It won’t announce F1, but FS Companion will open.
You’ll hear instructions about navigating the interface. You can stop speech with Control.
It may take a few seconds to load. Once open, you’re in an edit field like any chatbot. You can type questions in plain language.
For example:
“How do I make JAWS speak slower?”
Type it and press Enter.
You’ll hear the response:
To temporarily decrease speech rate, press Control+Alt+Page Down.
To permanently decrease it, press Control+Alt+Windows+Page Down.
To reset, press Insert+Escape.
If you want to review the response, use H to navigate headings or arrow keys to move through text.
Use Control+Arrow keys to read word by word if needed.
Temporary: Control+Alt+Page Down
Permanent: Control+Alt+Windows+Page Down
You can also use Insert+1 for keyboard help if you need to locate keys like Page Down.
You can ask follow-up questions or request step-by-step instructions.
Now, let’s demonstrate selecting text.
Press Control+Windows+K to set a place marker.
Move to another location, then press Insert+Space, then M to select between the marker and cursor.
Copy with Control+C.
Paste into Word with Control+V.
Note: sometimes more text is copied than expected, so you may need to edit.
To exit FS Companion, press Escape. You can use it from any application—Word, browser, Excel, etc.
Now we’ll take questions.
Question: How do you open FS Companion again?
Answer: Insert+Space, then F1.
Question: Can you dictate instead of typing?
Answer: Yes, using Alt+Shift+D, but results may vary. It’s not always as accurate as other dictation tools.
You must press Alt+Shift+D again to stop dictation.
First-time use may require microphone permission.
Volume Layer Commands:
Insert+Space, then V for volume.
S = System volume
J = JAWS volume
B = Balance
Use arrow keys to adjust.
Escape exits the layer.
OCR (Optical Character Recognition):
Used for unreadable PDFs.
Insert+Space, O, D, Enter = scan document
If that fails: Insert+Space, O, W
Make sure the document window is focused.
PictureSmart:
Used to describe images.
Open an image, then:
Insert+Space, P, Enter
You’ll hear a detailed description. You can ask follow-up questions.
Example: “How big is the dog?”
Escape exits PictureSmart.
Speech on Demand:
Insert+Space, S toggles speech on/off.
Speech History:
Insert+Space, H opens history
Insert+Space, Shift+H clears history
Insert+Space, Control+H copies history
You can paste it into a document.
JAWS Command Search:
Insert+Space, J
Type a command (e.g., “keyboard”) and press Enter to search.
Getting a full list of layered commands:
Open FS Companion (Insert+Space, F1)
Type: “Give me a list of all JAWS layer commands”
You can copy and paste the list into a document.
Alternative method:
Insert+Space, then Question Mark
This reads all layered commands.
For sub-layers (like PictureSmart), press the feature key (like P), then Question Mark.
Additional notes:
You can OCR files directly from File Explorer using layer commands.
You can copy OCR results if needed.
PictureSmart results can also be selected and copied.
Closing notes:
Speech history automatically clears after about 500 entries.
System maintenance (updates, cleanup) should be done periodically.
To set a place marker: Control+Windows+K
To select: Insert+Space, M
Thank you all for attending. This session will be available on the BITS website soon.
Next session: Outlook Classic basics, followed by Outlook New.
Thank you everyone.