Braille Display Input Commands
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.
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:
- Hold down DOT 8 CHORD and then press the corresponding modifier keys in the keystroke. Modifier keystrokes are listed in the following table.
- 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).
| Key Name | Keystroke |
|---|---|
| Function Keys (F1 through F12) For more information, see the Function Keys description. |
DOT 1 |
| INSERT | DOT 2 |
| CTRL | DOT 3 |
| WINDOWS Key | DOT 4 |
| JAWS Key | DOT 5 |
| ALT | DOT 6 |
| SHIFT | DOT 7 |
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.
| Key Name | Keystroke | DOTS Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| ESC | RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 1 or Z CHORD | RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 1 or DOTS 1-3-5-6 CHORD |
| ALT | RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 2 | - |
| APPLICATION Key | RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 2 CHORD | - |
| NUM PAD ASTERISK | RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 3 | - |
| WINDOWS Key | RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 4 | - |
| NUM PAD SLASH | RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7 | RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7 |
| CAPS LOCK | RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7 CHORD or RIGHT SHIFT+K | RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 7 CHORD or RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3 |
| NUM PAD PLUS | RIGHT SHIFT+DOT 8 | - |
| BACKSPACE | DOT 7 | - |
| ENTER | DOT 8 | - |
| CTRL+BACKSPACE | DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 CHORD | - |
| TAB | DOTS 4-5 CHORD | - |
| SHIFT+TAB | B CHORD | DOTS 1-2 CHORD |
| HOME | K CHORD | DOTS 1-3 CHORD |
| END | DOTS 4-6 CHORD | - |
| PAGE UP | LEFT SELECT+ROCKER BAR UP or RIGHT SELECT+ROCKER BAR UP or DOTS 2-3-7 CHORD | - |
| PAGE DOWN | LEFT SELECT+ROCKER BAR DOWN or RIGHT SELECT+ROCKER BAR DOWN or DOTS 5-6-7 CHORD | - |
| DELETE | FOR CHORD | DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6 CHORD |
| EQUALS | DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6 | - |
| RIGHT BRACKET | DOTS 1-2-4-5-6-7 | - |
| LEFT BRACKET | DOTS 2-4-6-7 | - |
| BACKSLASH | DOTS 1-2-5-6-7 | - |
| SLASH | DOTS 3-4 | - |
| RIGHT PARENTHESIS | DOTS 2-3-4-5-6 | - |
| APOSTROPHE | DOT 3 | - |
| DASH | DOTS 3-6 | - |
| GRAVE | DOT 4 | - |
| PERIOD | DOTS 4-6 | - |
| SEMICOLON | DOTS 5-6 | - |
| COMMA | DOT 6 | - |
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.
| Description | Keystroke | DOTS Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Say Prior Character | DOT 3 CHORD | - |
| Say Next Character | DOT 6 CHORD | - |
| Say Character | DOTS 3-6 CHORD | - |
| Say Prior Word | DOT 2 CHORD | - |
| Say Next Word | DOT 5 CHORD | - |
| Say Word | DOTS 2-5 CHORD | - |
| Say Prior Line | DOT 1 CHORD or LEFT ROCKER BAR UP | - |
| Say Next Line | DOT 4 CHORD or LEFT ROCKER BAR DOWN | - |
| Say Line | C CHORD | DOTS 1-4 CHORD |
| Say Prior Sentence | LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR UP | - |
| Say Next Sentence | LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR DOWN | - |
| Say Sentence | LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT SHIFT+C | LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-4 |
| Say Prior Paragraph | RIGHT SHIFT+LEFT ROCKER BAR UP | - |
| Say Next Paragraph | RIGHT SHIFT+LEFT ROCKER BAR DOWN | - |
| Say Paragraph | LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-5-6-7-8 | - |
| Move to Top of File | L CHORD | DOTS 1-2-3 CHORD |
| Move to Bottom of File | DOTS 4-5-6 CHORD | - |
| Say to Cursor | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-7 | - |
| Say from Cursor | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 6-8 | - |
| Say All | DOTS 1-2-4-5-6 CHORD | - |
| Say Top Line of Active Window | LEFT ROCKER BAR UP+RIGHT ROCKER BAR UP | - |
| Say Bottom Line of Active Window | LEFT ROCKER BAR DOWN+RIGHT ROCKER BAR DOWN | - |
| Previous Document Window | DOTS 2-3 CHORD | - |
| Next Document Window | DOTS 5-6 CHORD | - |
| Open List Box | LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR DOWN | - |
| Close List Box | LEFT SHIFT+RIGHT ROCKER BAR UP | - |
| Exit Forms Mode | X CHORD | DOTS 1-3-4-6 CHORD |
| Say Window Prompt and Text | G CHORD | DOTS 1-2-4-5 CHORD |
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.
| Description | Keystroke | DOTS Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Next Bookmark | B | DOTS 1-2 |
| Next Comment | C | DOTS 1-4 |
| Next Endnote | E | DOTS 1-5 |
| Next Form Field | F | DOTS 1-2-4 |
| Next Graphic | G | DOTS 1-2-4-5 |
| Next Heading | H | DOTS 1-2-5 |
| Next Footnote | O | DOTS 1-3-5 |
| Next Paragraph | P | DOTS 1-2-3-4 |
| Previous Paragraph | P+DOT 7 | DOTS 1-2-3-4-7 |
| Next Section | S | DOTS 2-3-4 |
| Next Table | T | DOTS 2-3-4-5 |
| Next Page | SPACEBAR | - |
| Previous Page | BACKSPACE | DOT 7 |
Text Selection Commands
Use these keystrokes to perform various text selection 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.
| Description | Keystroke | DOTS Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Select Prior Character | DOTS 3-7 CHORD | - |
| Select Next Character | DOTS 6-7 CHORD | - |
| Select Prior Word | DOTS 2-7 CHORD | - |
| Select Next Word | DOTS 5-7 CHORD | - |
| Select Prior Line | DOTS 1-7 CHORD | - |
| Select Next Line | DOTS 4-7 CHORD | - |
| Select Prior Screen | LEFT SHIFT+K | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3 |
| Select Next Screen | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-6 | - |
| Select from Start of Line | K+DOT 7 CHORD | DOTS 1-3-7 CHORD |
| Select to End of Line | DOTS 4-6-7 CHORD | - |
| Select from Top | L+DOTS 7 CHORD | DOTS 1-2-3-7 CHORD |
| Select to Bottom | DOTS 4-5-6-7 CHORD | - |
| Move To Beginning Of Line | ROCKER BAR UP+PANNING BUTTON | - |
| Move To End Of Line | ROCKER BAR DOWN+PANNING BUTTON | - |
Braille Commands
Use these keystrokes to configure various braille functions. Both keystrokes and braille dot patterns are provided in the table.
| Description | Keystroke | DOTS Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Top of Document | L CHORD | DOTS 1-2-3 CHORD |
| Bottom of Document | DOTS 4-5-6 CHORD | DOTS 4-5-6 CHORD |
| Adjust Braille Verbosity (JAWS 12 and earlier) | DOTS 2-3-8 CHORD followed by DOTS 1-2 | DOTS 2-3-8 CHORD followed by DOTS 1-2 |
| Grade 2 Expand Current Word | T CHORD | DOTS 2-3-4-5 CHORD |
| Grade 2 Translation | DOTS 1-2-4-5-7 CHORD | DOTS 1-2-4-5-7 CHORD |
| Toggle Characters and Attributes | CH Sign CHORD | DOTS 1-6 CHORD |
| Cycle Among Line, Structured, Attributes, and Speech History Modes | M CHORD | DOTS 1-3-4 CHORD |
| Toggle 8/6 DOTS Braille | 8 CHORD | DOTS 2-3-6 CHORD |
| Change Cursor Shape | SH Sign CHORD | DOTS 1-4-6 CHORD |
| Restrict Braille Cursor | R CHORD | DOTS 1-2-3-5 CHORD |
Windows Commands
Use these keystrokes for basic editing functions in Windows.
| Description | Braille Sign | DOTS Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| ALT+TAB | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-5 | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-5 |
| Paste from Clipboard | LEFT SHIFT+V | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3-6 |
| Copy to Clipboard | LEFT SHIFT+C | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-4 |
| Cut to Clipboard | LEFT SHIFT+X | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3-4-6 |
| Undo | LEFT SHIFT+Z | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3-5-6 |
| Delete | LEFT SHIFT+D | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-4-5 |
Selection Commands
Use these keystrokes to select characters, lines, and other page elements.
| Description | Braille Sign | DOTS Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Select Next Character | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 6 | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 6 |
| Select Prior Character | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 3 | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 3 |
| Select Next Line | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 4 | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 4 |
| Select Prior Line | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 1 | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 1 |
| Select to End of Line | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 5 | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 5 |
| Select from Start of Line | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 2 | LEFT SHIFT+DOT 2 |
| Select from Top | LEFT SHIFT+L | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3 |
| Select to Bottom | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-5-6 | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-5-6 |
| Select Next Screen | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-6 | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 4-6 |
| Select Prior Screen | LEFT SHIFT+K | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3 |
| Select All | LEFT SHIFT+FOR Sign | LEFT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3-4-5-6 |
| Select a Frame | RIGHT SHIFT+9 | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-5 |
| Select a Heading | RIGHT SHIFT+6 | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-5 |
| Select a Link | RIGHT SHIFT+7 | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-5-6 |
JAWS Commands
Use these keystrokes to perform some of the more common JAWS functions.
| Description | Braille Sign | DOTS Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| JAWS Window | RIGHT SHIFT+J | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-4-5 |
| Quick Settings (JAWS 13 or later) or Adjust JAWS Verbosity (JAWS 12 or earlier) | RIGHT SHIFT+V | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-3-6 |
| Open Task List | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-5-6 | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-5-6 |
| List System Tray Icons | RIGHT SHIFT+K | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3 |
| Say System Time | RIGHT SHIFT DOTS 1-2-3 | RIGHT SHIFT DOTS 1-2-3 |
| Drag and Drop | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-7 CHORD | - |
| Refresh Screen | RIGHT SHIFT+Z | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-3-5-6 |
| Say Font | RIGHT SHIFT+F | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4 |
| Windows Keys Help | RIGHT SHIFT+W | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-4-5-6 |
| Read Current Window | RIGHT SHIFT+B | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2 |
| Default Button in Dialog | RIGHT SHIFT+E | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-5 |
| Shut DOWN JAWS | RIGHT SHIFT+4 | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-5-6 |
| Select a Voice Profile | RIGHT SHIFT+S | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3-4 |
Cursor Functions
Use these keystrokes to select a cursor for navigating JAWS.
| Description | Braille Sign | DOTS Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| JAWS Cursor | J CHORD | DOTS 2-4-5 CHORD |
| PC Cursor | P CHORD | DOTS 1-2-3-4 CHORD |
| Route JAWS to PC | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-6 (MINUS Sign) | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-6 |
| Route PC to JAWS | RIGHT SHIFT+ING Sign (PLUS Sign) | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 3-4-6 |
Utility Functions
Use these keystrokes for general utility functions.
| Description | Braille Sign | DOTS Pattern |
|---|---|---|
| Run JAWS Manager | RIGHT SHIFT+2 | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-3 |
| Set Frame Top LEFT | RIGHT SHIFT+OW Sign | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-4-6 |
| Set Frame Bottom RIGHT | RIGHT SHIFT+ER Sign | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4-5-6 |
| Graphics Labeler | RIGHT SHIFT+G | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4-5 |
| JAWS Find | RIGHT SHIFT+F CHORD | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 1-2-4 CHORD |
| JAWS Find Next | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-5 | RIGHT SHIFT+DOTS 2-5 |
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.
Contracted braille input is off by default. To turn it on, do the following:
- Open Settings Center, and search for and select Contracted Braille Translation.
- In the Contracted Braille Translation combo box, select Output Only, Input and Output, or Off.
When set to Output Only, you can read contracted braille on your braille display, but you can only type in computer braille using the Perkins-style keyboard on your braille display. When set to Input and Output, you can both read and type in contracted braille using your braille display. When set to Off, you cannot read or type in contracted braille using your braille display.
- Save your changes and close Settings Center.