Freedom Scientific Training Podcast

Tips for Using your NLS eReader with JAWS – A Braille Literacy Month Special Join us for an insightful episode on maximizing the potential of your NLS eReader with JAWS , featuring special guest Tamara Rory from the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) . Learn how to obtain and navigate NLS eReaders , understand their key features, and explore how they enhance access to...

January is Braille Literacy Month! Discover how to enhance your JAWS experience with customizable flash messages and status cells. In this episode, Ron Miller explores essential settings in the JAWS Settings Center, including tailoring flash message behavior, optimizing verbosity levels, and making status cells display the information you need. Whether you're navigating with Braille displays or se...

In this episode, we share 10 essential tips for boosting your productivity with JAWS and Braille. Discover how to leverage features like Braille Study Mode, setting the clock, navigating tasks, and maintaining your Focus Braille Display for maximum efficiency. Celebrate Braille Literacy Month with us and discover valuable resources to enhance your skills. Don't miss these practical insights for op...

In this pre-recorded webinar, we will cover the following topics: Use FSCompanion to Perform a task in Excel Create a Quick Nav Key for navigating slider controls Manage Calls in Teams Use Convenient OCR to recognize text in context Use Picture Smart Al to describe an image attachment in Outlook XFont Save settings in Fusion and ZoomText by default Email thread navigation with Fusion Picture Smart...

In this final episode of 2024, we explore the December updates to JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2025. Join Ron Miller and Liz Whitaker as they discuss exciting new features like FS Companion, enhanced Convenient OCR, and Picture Smart AI. Learn how these tools simplify accessibility and productivity with their AI-driven enhancements. Plus, get a sneak peek at what's in store for 2025. Don't miss this...

In this episode, Ron Miller explores the ins and outs of track changes, co-authoring features, and effective commenting to streamline teamwork on Word documents. Whether you're editing in real-time or reviewing suggested changes, learn how to make your workflow more efficient and accessible. Perfect for students, professionals, and anyone working on shared documents. Tune in to boost your Word col...

In this episode, Ron Miller dives into the world of AI with a focus on Microsoft Copilot and FS Companion. Discover the differences between free and paid AI tools, their practical applications, and tips for leveraging AI in productivity, creativity, and technical support. Ron also introduces FS Companion, a tailored AI for Freedom Scientific, providing insights into its features and functionality...

Explore the world of JAWS and refreshable braille displays with episode 12 of the Freedom Scientific Training Resources Podcast. Hosted by Ron Miller, this episode offers hands-on guidance for assistive technology instructors, teachers, and anyone looking to enhance their skills in teaching JAWS. Learn how to install and configure braille displays, utilize the Braille and Text Viewer, and master B...

Welcome to 20 Minute Tech Tips by Freedom Scientific, the podcast where we break down accessibility features and tech tasks into bite-sized, actionable episodes. In this episode, we explore 'Five Ways to Use the JAWS Table Layer.' Learn how to efficiently navigate and interact with tables across web pages, Word documents, PowerPoint presentations, and even unconventional table-like layouts in Outl...

Discover the latest innovations in accessibility technology with Freedom Scientific's webinar on 'New Features of JAWS, Fusion, and ZoomText 2025.' Join Liz and Rachel as they explore groundbreaking updates, including the AI-powered FS Companion, enhanced automatic language detection, and improved navigation for Epub books. Learn about multi-monitor functionality, app responsiveness, and the revol...

In this episode, hosts Liz and Rachel welcome back special guest Dan Clark, a former Freedom Scientific employee and overall JAWS expert who continues to make an impact in the accessibility community through training resources and website auditing. Listeners will benefit from a comprehensive guide to Gmail's label system, learning how to create, organize, and manage labels for better email efficie...

In this episode of the Training Resources Podcast, host Ron Miller dives into the JAWS Dictionary Manager. Designed for teachers and assistive technology instructors, this session covers practical steps for correcting word pronunciations, handling abbreviations, and even setting audio cues within JAWS. Listeners will learn how to manage pronunciation across multiple applications, create language-s...

In this episode, we introduce you to FS Companion—a game-changing AI assistant designed to help JAWS users ask questions about JAWS-related tasks with ease and efficiency. Join hosts Liz and Rachel as they guide you through FS Companion's practical applications, from adjusting voice settings and navigating Microsoft Office tools to setting personalized preferences within JAWS. Perfect for accessib...

In this episode, Liz and Rachel guide you through managing files in Microsoft Teams with JAWS. You'll learn how to access, upload, share, and collaborate on files, including navigating the Files panel, searching for documents, and opening files in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint directly. We also explore sharing PowerPoint presentations in a way that enhances accessibility for assistive technology use...

In this episode, Ron Miller walks us through working with styles in Microsoft Word using JAWS. He coversessential formatting tips, including how to change font types and sizes, apply styles without affecting headings, and make localized changes to selected text. Ron also shares best practices for low-vision users, explains how to create bulleted and numbered lists, and provides keyboard shortcuts...

This episode of the Freedom Scientific Training Podcast, hosted by Ron Miller, focuses on using the F6 key to enhance productivity in Microsoft Office applications. Listeners will explore how the F6 key simplifies navigation across Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, offering practical tips for quickly moving between different panes and boosting efficiency. Whether you're a seasoned user or new...

In this episode of 20-Minute Tech Tips, Elizabeth explores how to access untagged PDFs in Adobe Acrobat Reader using JAWS. Learn key steps to configure Acrobat Reader for accessibility, differentiate between tagged and untagged PDFs, and effectively navigate documents with JAWS. Perfect for users looking to enhance their PDF reading experience.

In this episode, Rachel and Elizabeth provide a comprehensive guide on how to use Google Drive with JAWS, focusing on the web version. They cover key topics such as navigating Google Drive using keyboard commands, creating and managing files and folders, uploading and downloading files, and sharing and organizing content. The podcast also includes practical demonstrations of how to access keyboard...

In this episode, trainers Ron Miller and Jeff Bazer provide a comprehensive guide on using Picture Smart AI to analyze images in Excel spreadsheets. Whether learning about trends in sales data or exploring pivot charts, this episode equips JAWS users with tips to enhance productivity and extract valuable information from inaccessible visuals within spreadsheets.

This episode covers essential skills for teachers and assistive technology instructors using JAWS and Braille. Host Ron Miller guides listeners through configuring JAWS startup settings, including Braille preferences, status cells, and flash messages. He also explains the importance of Braille literacy and demonstrates Braille Study Mode, a tool that helps users identify Braille symbols and contra...

In this episode of 20-Minute Tech Tips , you'll learn effective ways to find and use keyboard commands across different applications and operating systems. Whether you're using JAWS, ZoomText, Fusion, or just prefer keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow, this episode covers essential tips to access, search, and master these commands. From navigating the JAWS key options to finding shortcuts...

This podcast demonstrates how to create, modify, and use templates in Microsoft Word effectively with JAWS. Ron Miller, from the Vispero training department, explains what a template is and how it can streamline document creation by maintaining consistent formatting and styles. We also discuss the variety of templates available in Word, including those provided by Microsoft, and how to navigate an...

Portable Document Format (PDF) files are commonly used to share documents across platforms. These documents are widely used and often required in school and employment settings. They can include text and visuals such as images, charts, and tables to convey information. In this webinar recording, we provide an overview of the Acrobat Reader interface, discuss accessible versus inaccessible PDFs, an...

  This week's podcast provides an in-depth tutorial on using various cursors in JAWS. Liz discusses how JAWS Cursors function in both desktop and laptop keyboard layouts. Key Points Covered: JAWS Keyboard Layouts : Liz explains how users can switch between desktop and laptop layouts, emphasizing the use of the Caps Lock key as the JAWS key in laptop mode. PC Cursor : The system cursor used in text...

In this episode of "Teaching Resources with Ron Miller," we will explore the following topics: Making a Teams Call Starting a Video or Audio Call Answering a Teams Call Answering a Teams Call with Video Disabled or enabled Answering a Teams Call When focus is in another application Joining a Zoom meeting from an invitation email or calendar appointment Adjusting Zoom audio settings Selecting a spe...