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).

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:

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.

Navigation Commands

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.

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.

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.

Braille Commands

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

Windows Commands

Use these keystrokes for basic editing functions in Windows.

JAWS Commands

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

Cursor Functions

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

Touch Cursor Functions

Use these keystrokes to navigate using the Touch Cursor.

Utility Functions

Use these keystrokes for general utility functions.

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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