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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 was originally released in 1989 by [[Ted Henter]], a former motorcycle racer who lost his sight in a 1978 automobile accident. In 1985, Henter, along with a {{US$|180,000|link=yes}} investment from Bill Joyce, founded the ''Henter-Joyce Corporation'' in [[St. Petersburg, Florida]]. Joyce sold his interest in the company back to Henter in 1990. In April 2000, Henter-Joyce, Blazie Engineering, and Arkenstone, Inc. merged to form [[Freedom Scientific]].
 
JAWS was originally created for the [[MS-DOS]] [[operating system]]. It was one of several screen readers giving blind users access to text-mode MS-DOS applications.<ref>{{Citation | author1=Girard, Kim | author2=Dillon, Nancy | title=Market grows for voice applications. (Industry Trend or Event) | journal=Computerworld | publication-date=1997-08-11 | publisher=Computerworld, Inc | volume=31 | issue=32 | page=55(2) | issn=0010-4841}}</ref> A feature unique to JAWS at the time was its use of cascading menus, in the style of the popular Lotus 1-2-3 application. What set JAWS apart from other screen readers of the era was its use of [[Macro (computer science)|macros]] that allowed users to customize the user interface and work better with various applications.{{citation needed|date=March 2013}}
 
Ted Henter and Rex Skipper wrote the original JAWS code in the mid-1980s, releasing version 2.0 in mid-1990. Skipper left the company after the release of version 2.0, and following his departure, [[Charles Oppermann]] was hired to maintain and improve the product. Oppermann and Henter regularly added minor and major features and frequently released new versions. Freedom Scientific now offers JAWS for MS-DOS as a [[freeware]] download from their web site.<ref name="Trace" /><ref>[http://www2.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/JAWS-previous-downloads.asp More JAWS downloads]. Freedom Scientific. Retrieved August 31, 2008.</ref>
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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]]
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