HumanWare 20 Braille Note Evolve
Setup and Use (JAWS on BrailleNote evolve)
- Claim your 6-month free JAWS trial: contact HumanWare or your local dealer and provide your device serial number and your details (one-time, serial-linked offer).
- Install JAWS: since JAWS is not pre-installed, use the KeySoft menu shortcut under All Applications to download and install the most recent release.
- Start JAWS: once set up, JAWS places you on the Windows desktop and you can begin navigating.
- (Optional) Prevent NVDA from starting: configure the onboard NVDA if you want to avoid running both screen readers at the same time.
- Navigate and control speech: use common commands such as CTRL to stop speech, and the toggle speech sequence FN + INSERT + SPACE, then S.
The BrailleNote evolve is fully equipped to run the JAWS for Windows screen reader. Should you wish to install and work with JAWS on the device, HumanWare has included a 6-month free trial of JAWS, and once activated, the clock will start to count down. You also have the option to continue using your own license or subscription of both Home and Pro. If at any point, (during the trial), you wish to subscribe to JAWS for BrailleNote, the Home version can be purchased at a special discounted price from HumanWare.
How to claim your 6 months Free trial of JAWS
Every BrailleNote evolve includes a free six-month JAWS trial licence. To claim your licence, you will need to contact HumanWare or your local dealer and provide your device serial number along with your details. Please note that this is a one-time offer and the licence is linked directly to your device serial number.
Installing JAWS on the BrailleNote evolve
JAWS is not pre-installed on the BrailleNote evolve. To ensure you always have access to the latest version of JAWS, a shortcut is available in the KeySoft menu under All Applications, allowing you to quickly download and install the most recent release.
Using JAWS to Navigate the Desktop
Once JAWS has been set up, you can begin to use it on your device. You may wish to configure the onboard NVDA to prevent it from starting up as you may have both screen reader running at the same time. When started you will be placed on the Windows desktop and can navigate the environment with familiar methods. These include:
- Next/previous thumb keys (outer left/right), as up/down arrows
- Space + dot 1 to simulate the up arrow, and space + dot 4 to simulate the down arrow
- D-pad located in the center (between keys 1-4) as up/down/left/right arrows
- First-letter navigation
Modifier Keys
The modifier keys on the BrailleNote evolve are as follows, starting from the top left corner of the device:
- Top left: Escape
- Top right: Delete
- D-pad: located in the center, (between keys 1-4), functions as up/down/left/right arrows
- To the left of the spacebar, (long rectangular key: shift
- Below shift, on the left-hand side: ctrl
- To the right of ctrl: alt
- To the right of the spacebar, (long rectangular key): insert/JAWS key
- Below insert, closest to the spacebar: FN, (use this in conjunction with keys A-L to simulate F1-F12)
- FN + dropped keys, (dot 2, 2-3), to simulate numbers, if needed
- To the right of FN: Windows
- Tab: space + dots 4-5
- Shift + Tab: space + dots 1-2
- Alt + tab: alt + space + dots 4-5
Common Tasks with JAWS and Modifier Keys
You can perform common tasks running JAWS and using the modifier keys. These include:
| Task | Command |
| Access the JAWS menu if JAWS is
running from the System Tray |
INSERT + J (dots 2-4-5) |
| Alt+F4 | FN + ALT + D (dots 1-4-5) |
| Access the Windows desktop | SPACE + D (dots 1-4-5) |
| read the current window title | SPACE + T (dots 2-3-4-5) |
| Access the Start menu/search box | Windows key |
| Stop speech | CTRL |
| Toggle speech on/off: | FN + INSERT + SPACE, followed by S, (dots 2-3-4) |
| Adjust speech rate: | CTRL + ALT + FN + Windows + up/down arrow, (page up/down) |
| Access the Windows menu bar | ALT or SPACE + Y, (dots 1-3-4-5-6) |
| Windows Explorer | Windows + E, (dots 1-5) |
| Keyboard help | SPACE + DOTS 1-4-5-6 (Th sign) |
| App switcher | SPACE + DOTS 3-5-6 |
| Context menu | SHIFT + FN + J, (dots 2-4-5) |
| Battery status | INSERT + SHIFT + B, (dots 1-2) |
| Adjust JAWS typing echo | INSERT+ FN + Dots 2-3 |
| Read status bar | INSERT + PAGE DOWN (FN+down arrow) |
Editing Text Commands
To edit text in any field in Windows with JAWS:
| Task | Command |
| Delete, deletes forward by a character, or any selected text | Delete |
| Read currently selected text | INSERT + SHIFT + DOWN ARROW |
| Undo | CTRL + Z, (dots 1-3-5-6) |
| Copy | CTRL + C, (dots 1-4) |
| Cut | CTRL + X, (dots 1-3-4-6) |
| Paste | CTRL + V, (dots 1-2-3-6) |
Navigation Commands
| Task | Command |
| Home | SPACE + DOTS 1-3 or FN + LEFT ARROW |
| End | SPACE + DOTS 4-6 or FN + RIGHT ARROW |
| Ctrl + home | SPACE + DOTS 1-2-3 or ctrl + FN + left arrow |
| Ctrl + end | SPACE + DOTS 4-5-6 or ctrl + FN + right arrow |
| Page up | FN + UP ARROW |
| Page down | FN + DOWN ARROW |
| Next paragraph | CTRL + DOWN ARROW |
| Previous paragraph | CTRL + UP ARROW |
| Read all | SPACE + DOTS 1-2-4-5-6 |
Commands for Outlook
| Task | Command |
| New message | CTRL + N |
| Reply | CTRL + R |
| Reply all | CTRL + SHIFT + R |
| Forward | CTRL + F |
| Send | ALT + S/CTRL + enter |
| Access various folders | CTRL+ Y |
| Access attachments from an email | INSERT + A or SHIFT + TAB, (space + dots 1-2)
while in a message |
File Management Commands
| Task | Command |
| New folder | CTRL + SHIFT + N, (dots 1-3-4-5) |
| Copy | CTRL + C, (dots 1-4) |
| Cut | CTRL + X, (dots 1-3-4-6) |
| Paste | CTRL + V, (dots 1-2-3-6) |
HTML Web Browser Commands
| Task | Command |
| Links list | SPACE + DOTS 2-3-5-6 |
| Next link | TAB, (space + dots 4-5) |
| Previous link | SHIFT + TAB, (space + dots 1-2) |
| Next/previous radio button | A and BACKSPACE + A, (dot 1) |
| Next/previous article | O and BACKSPACE + O, (dots 1-3-5) |
Commands that don’t have a Direct Keyboard Equivalent
- Change braille grade
- Sort in File Manager
- Increase/decrease font size: Ctrl + Shift + period and Ctrl + Shift + comma don’t seem to work on the Braille keyboard
- JAWS does not work in KeyMath/Equation editor. In order to use JAWS with math input through Word, you will need to disable the KeySoft Word add-in. This can be done through the KeySoft Control Centre.
Using JAWS with KeySoft
If you want to use JAWS in addition to KeySoft, you will find that certain braille shortcuts will not work. This is because KeySoft is optimised to work with NVDA. However, common JAWS shortcuts can be used.
Saving files with office applications
If you have the KeySoft add-ins enabled, then you will likely face some changes when it comes to saving files. When using office applications such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, the file explorer being used is intercepted by KeySoft’s file manager, KeyFiles. Currently, there is no way to change this if you still want to use the KeySoft Add-in. However, if you prefer the traditional Windows dialog, then you will need to disable the add-in, which can be done through KeySoft Control Centre.
Additional Help
If you need additional help using JAWS, FSCompanion is a free resource from Vispero that you can access at any time. Please visit: FS Companion
Support
If you require any further support with JAWS for BrailleNote, please contact the supplier from whom you purchased the licence. For customers who purchased their licence through HumanWare UK, all JAWS support is provided by Sight and Sound. To contact Sight and Sound call 0800 085 6055 or you can raise a ticket through https://sastltd.zohodesk.eu/portal/en/myarea
Documents / Resources
 | 20 Braille Note Evolve |
References
- Vispero Companionfscompanion.freedomscientific.com
- sastltd.zohodesk.eu/portal/en/myareasastltd.zohodesk.eu
- User Manualmanual.tools