JAWS screen reader



It is important to ensures all learners, regardless of their abilities or backgrounds, are supported and valued so they can fully participate and succeed and anyone with disabilities have equal access to education, just like their peers without disabilities. From any assistive technology i prefer The JAWS Screen Reader Job Access With Speech an example of assistive technology as it is one of the most useful aids to support students with blindness or significant vision impairment. JAWS helps students with vision loss read digital documents, textbooks, or access information stored in computers, web pages, or other online resources by speaking the written content aloud.

What JAWS Is And How It Is Used

Screen readers are often tailored to specific groups within society. JAWS is a screen reader developed by Freedom Scientific which focuses on the areas important for tutoring the blind. A person with severe vision impairment is able to listen to the speech through the use of a synthesized voice or use a Braille display. JAWs works on several programs including: browsers, Microsoft Office, PDF Readers, and others software with the aid of shortcuts through the keyboard. 

For instance, while designing lessons or in classroom JAWS helps students to:

·         Engage in e-assessments

·         Manage email accounts

Fosters independence and engagement within the learning environment as the user  can control the pace at which information is delivered and can actively work with the content being read aloud or displayed in braille.

Alnahdi (2014) noted that assistive technologies help close important gaps in educational opportunities for learners with disabilities, especially concerning their access to information and communication technologies (ICT). Further, Kelly and Smith (2011) also reports that screen readers contribute to the inclusiveness of education by providing access to information and therefore participation, which enhances student achievement and school engagement.

JAWS helps Students to work independently without having to rely on other people for content presentation. Students using JAWS know that all other learners are using the same content and tools, which raises self-confidence.  

Challenges

Although effective, JAWS has its own disadvantages. Most prominently, memorizing numerous keyboard shortcuts creates a barrier for younger learners. Secondly, like many other software programs, JAWS comes with a high order premium pricing model, making it less accessible for various families, or institutions.

Alongside issues of affordability lie deeper technological issues such as lack of compatibility. Instructors and educators must follow accessibility guidelines such as the use of semantic headings, and alt texts for images, as the software may lack the JAWS interpretable content.

In relation to Inclusive Learning Diversity, JAWS helps provide

Universal Access: Addresses upper funding boundaries as set by the institution for students with visual impairments, granting learners equal access no collusion compliance barriers.

Separation: With appropriate institution funding in place, educators can support learner progression at a self directed self paced navigation at the student’s individualized pace.

Empowerment: Reduces reliance on adults, instead increasing self sufficiency among learners during educational tasks.

As an example in relation to student empowerment empowerment, a student participating in digitally told stories can conduct research independently using JAWS. For example, in a digital storytelling activity, a student using JAWS can independently research content, write a script in Microsoft Word, and submit it through an LMS—all without sighted help. This allows for seamless integration into group projects and classroom participation.

Conclusion

JAWS is more than just a screen reader; it is a vital bridge to educational equity for visually impaired students. Its role in creating inclusive classrooms cannot be overstated. However, for its use to be truly effective, schools must invest not just in the technology itself but also in training teachers and students to use it proficiently. Educators must also prioritize accessible content creation to maximize the tool's benefits.

As inclusive education continues to evolve, tools like JAWS will remain critical in ensuring that every student—regardless of physical ability has the opportunity to thrive academically and socially. JAWS represents not just a technological innovation, but a commitment to justice, equality, and inclusive learning.

 


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