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WorkWORLD Speech - Using with JAWS

Many users of speech in WorkWORLD will already be using a generic screen reader, such as JAWS for Windows, to help access other functions of their computer. The generic screen reader will also be required to provide text-to-speech services for the WorkWORLD Help/System, since it appears on screen in a separate window controlled by a help engine program that is part of the Windows operating system rather than WorkWORLD.

Since JAWS for Windows is the most widely used screen reading software, there are several additional topics about its use with WorkWORLD in this Help system. Keyboard commands used to control JAWS while in the WorkWORLD Help/Information System window are listed in the topic WorkWORLD Speech - Keyboard Commands for JAWS (Help/Information System). Some Help topics invoke a web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, and keyboard commands used in conjunction with it may be found in the topic WorkWORLD Speech - Keyboard Commands for JAWS (Internet Explorer). Additionally, some topics and external website links require the use of the Adobe Acrobat browser plug-in, and its keyboard commands are listed in the topic WorkWORLD Speech - Keyboard Commands for JAWS (Adobe Acrobat).

This topic provides instructions for constructing a simple script in JAWS so that there is no conflict with WorkWORLD. This short script will automatically allow JAWS to speak when the Help window is open in WorkWORLD, as well as silence JAWS at other times when WorkWORLD is running. When WorkWORLD is not running, JAWS will continue to operate normally, based on the way you configured it for your computer. Without the script, both WorkWORLD and JAWS will attempt to speak simultaneously when WorkWORLD runs. See the topic WorkWORLD Speech - Using With Jaws (Troubleshooting) if you experience the problem of WorkWORLD not speaking after you create the script below.

Before following the procedure below, both JAWS and WorkWORLD must be installed and operational on your computer.

JAWS versions

WorkWORLD has been tested for proper operation with the latest releases of JAWS for Windows versions 3 and 4. At the release of this version of WorkWORLD, these were JAWS 3.70.87 and JAWS 4.02.52. You can determine which version of JAWS you have by selecting Help, About JAWS for Windows from the JAWS main menu.

If you are using an earlier version of JAWS, you may experience difficulty using it in conjunction with WorkWORLD. Most registered users of earlier releases of JAWS version 3 are eligible to receive a free upgrade to version 3.70.87, and most users of an earlier release of JAWS version 4 can get a free upgrade to version 4.02.52 or later.

There are some known incompatibilities and other bugs in earlier JAWS releases. The JAWS upgrades may be downloaded from the Freedom Scientific website at:

http://www.freedomscientific.com/

Procedure to create script for JAWS and WorkWORLD

Start this procedure immediately following a clean reboot (restart Windows).

1.        Make sure JAWS is running on your computer, then start WorkWORLD.

2.        At opening Splash Screen of WorkWORLD, press Insert+F2 keys to open the JAWS Run Manager dialog box.

3.        Use arrow keys to select Script Manager, then Tab to OK button, and press Enter.

4.        When the Script Manager Window appears, press Alt+S to select the Script menu item, then press N to open New Script dialog.

5.        Use the Tab key to navigate around the New Script dialog box.

6.        At the Script Name textbox, type AutoStartEvent as one word with no spaces.

7.        Leave the Can be attached to Key checkbox unchecked.

8.        At the Synopsis textbox, type Stops speech when entering WorkWORLD.

9.        Leave the Description textbox blank.

10.        At the Category combo box, use the arrow keys to select Application.

11.        At the Function Returns combo box, use the arrow keys to select Void.

12.        Leave the Return Description textbox blank.

13.        Tab to OK button, and press Enter.

14.        JAWS returns to Script Manager screen and says "WWP430.JSS edit".

15.        Type Speechoff() as one word with no spaces.

16.        Press Alt+F to select the File menu item, then press S to save. JAWS should say "Compile complete".

17.        Press Alt+F to select the File menu item, then press X to exit the Script Manager.

18.        Quit WorkWORLD and reboot your computer.

JAWS and WorkWORLD should peacefully coexist now. Always make sure JAWS is running before you start WorkWORLD.

Additional Information

Additional information about WorkWORLD speech is available by following the bulleted links below to the topics listed:

·        WorkWORLD Speech - Overview

·        WorkWORLD Speech - Turning On or Off

·        WorkWORLD Speech - Operation

·        WorkWORLD Speech - Keyboard Commands

·        WorkWORLD Speech - Controlling Speech Properties

·        WorkWORLD Speech - Keyboard Commands for JAWS (WorkWORLD Help/Information System)

·        WorkWORLD Speech - Keyboard Commands for JAWS (Internet Explorer)

·        WorkWORLD Speech - Keyboard Commands for JAWS (Adobe Acrobat)

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Complete information about the software is available at: http://www.WorkWORLD.org