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| developer = [[Freedom Scientific]]
| released = {{Start date and age|1995|01}}
| latest_release_version = 20232025.23062410.38106
| latest_release_date = {{Start date and age|20232024|0610|2030}}
| latest_preview_version =
| latest_preview_date =
| programming language =
| operating_system = [[Microsoft Windows]]
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'''JAWSJob Access With Speech''' ("'''Job Access With SpeechJAWS'''") is a computer [[screen reader]] program for [[Microsoft Windows]] that allows [[Blindness|blind]] and visually impaired users to read the screen either with a [[text-to-speech]] output or by a [[refreshable Braille display]]. JAWS is produced by the Blind and Low Vision Group of [[Freedom Scientific]].
 
A May–June 20212023–2024 screen reader user survey by [[WebAIM]], a web accessibility company, found JAWS to be the most popular desktop/laptop screen reader worldwide; 53for primary usage (at 40.75%), ofwhile survey60.5% of participants usedlisted it as a primarycommonly used screen reader, whileranking 70.0%it ofsecond participantsin usedthis itmeasure oftenbehind [[NonVisual Desktop Access|NVDA]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://webaim.org/projects/screenreadersurvey9screenreadersurvey10/?hss_channel=tw-2382446636|title=Screen Reader User Survey #910|publisher=[[WebAIM]]|access-date=JulyFebruary 123, 20212024}}</ref>
 
JAWS supports [[Windows 10]] and [[Windows 11]] along with all versions of Windows Server released since [[Windows Server 2016]]. There are two versions of the program: the ''Home'' edition for non-commercial use and the ''Professional'' edition for commercial environments. Before JAWS 16, the ''Home'' edition was called ''Standard'', and only worked on home Windows operating systems.<ref>"[https://support.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/JAWSWhatsNew?version=16 Enhancements and Improvements in JAWS 16]", Freedom Scientific. Retrieved January 28, 2020.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://support.freedomscientific.com/Downloads/JAWS/jaws-system-requirements|title=JAWS System Requirements|publisher=Freedom Scientific|access-date=September 30, 2022}}</ref> A [[DOS]] version, sometimesis alsofree.<ref>{{cite knownweb|url=https://www2.freedomscientific.com/fs_downloads/morejaws.asp|title=Additional asJAWS ''JDOS'',for isWindows free.Downloads|publisher=Freedom Scientific|access-date=August 6, 2024}}</ref>
 
The [[JAWS Scripting Language]] allows the user to use programs without standard Windows controls, and programs that were not designed for accessibility.
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JAWS allows all major functions of the [[Microsoft Windows]] operating system to be controlled with [[keyboard shortcut]]s and spoken feedback. These shortcuts are kept as consistent as possible throughout most programs, but the very high number of functions needed to fluidly use modern computer software effectively requires the end user to memorize many specific keystrokes. Virtually every aspect of JAWS can be customized by the user, including all keystrokes and factors such as reading speed, granularity used when reading punctuation, and hints. JAWS also includes a scripting language to automate tasks and make more complex modifications to the program's behavior.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.freedomscientific.com/Content/Documents/Other/ScriptManual/01-0_Introduction.htm|title=Introduction|website=www.freedomscientific.com|access-date=2017-10-10}}</ref>
 
The software includes a distinct mode designed specifically for [[web browser]]s, activated when a browser is in the foreground. When browsing web pages, JAWS first declares the title and number of links. Speech can be stopped with the {{Keypress|[[Ctrl key|control key]]}}, lines are navigated with the {{Keypress|up}}/{{Keypress|down}} arrow keys, and the {{Keypress|[[tab key]]}} moves between links and controls. Specific letter keys on the keyboard can be pressed to navigate to the next or previous element of a specific type, such as text boxes or check boxes.<ref name="Thatcher" /> JAWS can access headings in [[Microsoft Word|Word]] and PDF documents in a similar fashion.<ref>Thatcher et al., p. 385</ref>
 
The JAWS feature set and its configurability have been described as "complex,", with training recommended for users such as web designers performing accessibility testing, to avoid drawing the wrong conclusions from such testing.<ref>Thatcher et al., p. 501.</ref>
 
== References ==
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[[Category:1995 software]]
[[Category:Screen readers]]
[[Category:Windows-only proprietary software]]
[[Category:Proprietary software]]