Freedom Scientific Training Podcast

Convenient OCR (Optical Character Recognition) is a feature in JAWS that allows you to recognize and read text that appears as part of an image or in places where text is not accessible to screen readers. This is useful for reading things like scanned documents, inaccessible PDFs, images with text, or application windows that only display text as graphics. In this training, we'll show you how to OCR text in an image or document, access the results, and provide important keyboard commands.

Unlock the power of Microsoft Copilot in this beginner-friendly training session led by Liz and Rachel. Learn what Copilot is, how it integrates with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams, and how it can streamline your workflow — from summarizing information to building full documents and presentations. The hosts walk through real examples, including creating a project spreadsheet, generating a presentation, and formatting accessible content with AI-powered assistance. They also cover different Copilot plans, tips to avoid AI "hallucinations," how to review sources, and where to access Copilot on the web or as a Windows app. By the end, you'll feel confident exploring Copilot's capabilities to save time, boost productivity, and enhance the quality of your work.

In this episode, Liz and Rachel introduce Google's Gemini AI and show how it can streamline everyday tasks. They cover what Gemini is, how to navigate it with a screen reader, and how to use it to summarize files, analyze data, schedule Google Calendar events, and draft emails. You'll also learn about Gemini's models, gems, canvas mode, and tips for writing effective prompts.

In this episode, Freedom Scientific's Liz and Rachel explore how artificial intelligence can empower users of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion. From writing smarter emails to analyzing data and boosting productivity, they show how AI can simplify everyday tasks for people who rely on assistive technology. You'll learn the basics—what AI is, what "large language models" mean, and how tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot can work alongside your screen reader. Liz and Rachel walk through hands-on demos: drafting a professional email, analyzing feedback, building a project timeline, and even generating a follow-up announcement—all using AI tools. They also introduce Freedom Scientific's Learn AI Hub , a new self-paced resource with monthly webinars, archived sessions, and step-by-step exercises designed to help you master AI at your own speed. Whether you're an assistive technology user, educator, or accessibility professional, this episode will give you the tools to start harnessing AI to make your work faster, easier, and more creative. Learn more and access all resources at FreedomScientific.com/LearnAI

The 2026 releases of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion are here—bringing exciting new features and a more connected experience than ever before. In this episode, Elizabeth Whittaker walks you through two major updates: the new Vispero Account, which unifies your Freedom Scientific products under one secure login, and Page Explorer, a powerful AI-driven feature in FS Companion that helps you summarize and navigate complex web pages with ease. Plus, get details on upcoming November webinars covering account setup, Gemini on the web, and even more new accessibility features. Visit FreedomScientific.com/training or FreedomScientific.com/learnAI for webinar registration and resources.

In this episode, Liz and Rachel walk you through how to proofread documents more efficiently in Microsoft Word using the Microsoft Editor alongside JAWS. Learn how to access the Editor with keyboard commands, check spelling and grammar, and put clarity and conciseness tools to work. They also cover how to: Navigate spelling and grammar suggestions using JAWS-specific keystrokes Understand and improve your Editor Score and readability statistics Select writing style settings like Casual, Professional, or Formal Add words to custom dictionaries and manage dictionary settings Re-run Editor after ignoring suggestions or completing a review Use quick navigation keys to jump to spelling and grammar errors directly in your document Whether you're writing professionally, drafting emails, or creating documents for personal use, this episode is packed with practical tips to make your writing clearer, more accurate, and easier to manage with screen reader tools.

Are you ready to start using artificial intelligence with JAWS, ZoomText, or Fusion but not sure where to begin? Join us as we: - Define key AI terms like prompts, queries, models, and more—so you can understand the language of AI without the jargon. - Demonstrate real-world examples of how to train and guide AI tools to complete everyday tasks efficiently. - Walk through practical workplace scenarios, such as drafting a professional email, creating audience-specific documents, and extracting and analyzing key data from large text files into Excel spreadsheets. We also show you how you can specifically benefit from using Freedom Scientific's AI features to learn JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion, plus other apps, describe images, and more.

In this episode of the Freedom Scientific Training Podcast , hosts Liz and Rachel walk listeners through an engaging introduction to ChatGPT , the powerful AI platform that's transforming how we write, analyze, and communicate. They begin by explaining what ChatGPT is, the difference between free and paid tiers, and what makes it unique among AI tools like Copilot and Gemini. Then, they dive into a live demonstration—showing how to hold a natural voice conversation with ChatGPT, create a formatted Word document from survey data, analyze that data in Excel with charts and percentages, and draft professional emails tailored for coworkers and customers. Whether you're brand new to ChatGPT or looking to expand your productivity toolkit, this episode is packed with clear, practical examples of how AI can streamline your workflow, enhance creativity, and boost clarity in communication. 🎧 Listen now to learn how ChatGPT can help you organize information, analyze data, and communicate more effectively. Learn more: Visit freedomscientific.com/training

Struggling with cluttered or poorly labeled websites? In this Insert J Club training session, Ron Miller shares five powerful tips to help you navigate complex web pages more efficiently with JAWS. You'll learn how to: Assign custom labels to HTML elements Use Picture Smart and AI Labeler for better context Adjust web verbosity for smoother reading Take advantage of Immersive Reader in Microsoft Edge Compile lists of links, buttons, and other elements (Bonus!) Set personalized web settings for your favorite sites These tools and techniques will save you time, reduce frustration, and make browsing the web more accessible. 📌 Explore more training resources, webinars, and podcasts at: freedomscientific.com/training

In this episode, Freedom Scientific trainer Ron Miller dives deep into JAWS Smart Navigation, a powerful feature designed to make navigating web pages, PDFs, and HTML documents more intuitive. You'll learn: What Smart Navigation is and why it matters How to enable it through the Startup Wizard, Quick Settings, or Settings Center The difference between navigating controls, tables, or both Live demonstrations of Smart Navigation in action Tips for switching between modes on the fly for smoother browsing Whether you're new to JAWS or a longtime user looking to streamline your workflow, this walkthrough will help you get the most out of Smart Navigation.

Do you use Google Sheets with JAWS? Want to learn how to navigate, format, and organize data more efficiently? Then "Ten Tips for Increasing Productivity with Google Sheets and JAWS" is the episode for you. Objectives: In this session we provide an overview of Google Sheets, plus show you how to: Turn on accessibility settings Create/rename a new spreadsheet, plus navigate an existing spreadsheet Apply formatting to cell data Insert a function Sort and filter data Verbalize column and row titles Navigate among multiple spreadsheets Access a list of Google-specific keyboard commands Enable compatible keyboard shortcuts from other spreadsheet applications Search the menus for a command

In this episode of the Freedom Scientific Training Podcast , Ron Miller walks through everything you need to know about managing settings in Microsoft Edge with JAWS. Learn how to sign in and out of your Microsoft account, sync your favorites, passwords, and browsing history across devices, and add multiple profiles for work or personal use. Ron also demonstrates how to adjust individual sync options, clear your browsing data (without losing what you need), and navigate Edge's settings efficiently using JAWS keyboard commands.

Portable Document Format (PDF) files are commonly used to share information across multiple platforms and are often required in school and employment settings. Objectives: We'll provide an overview of PDFs, discuss multiple ways to access, read, and interact with them, plus show you how to: Set the default application for opening PDFs Set Adobe Reader accessibility settings Process an untagged document Search for text in a PDF Change reading order on-the-fly Open a PDF in Word Freedom Scientific Presenters: Elizabeth Whitaker and Rachel Buchanan

Learn how to navigate Amazon Kindle with JAWS for Windows. This episode covers opening the Kindle for PC app, managing your library, using search and filters, downloading books, and reading content with JAWS commands. Plus, discover tips for using the Kindle Store, syncing devices, and creating a smoother reading experience with both speech and Braille.

In this episode, Liz and Rachel walk you through 10 essential tips for using Google Docs more efficiently with JAWS. Learn how to adjust accessibility settings, navigate documents with ease, create and rename files, use Find and Replace, get dictionary definitions, format text, manage tabs, and use JAWS Quick Keys for streamlined editing. Whether you're new to Google Docs or just looking to improve your workflow, this episode is packed with practical insights to help boost your productivity. Learn more and access additional training resources at FreedomScientific.com/Training

In this episode, we highlight the newest features and enhancements in JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion A key update across all three products is support for time-based Software Maintenance Agreements (SMAs) , which let users run any version of the software released within their SMA period—offering more flexibility for perpetual license holders. For JAWS and Fusion users, a brand-new Label Manager simplifies managing custom labels for inaccessible web elements. The AI Labeler also gets smarter—suggesting and saving updated labels automatically. Spanish-speaking users benefit from MathCAT , now the default math interaction tool, offering better speech and Braille support for math content. Fusion's Live Text View now supports Navigation Quick Keys , enabling faster navigation through web pages, documents, PDFs, and emails. ZoomText and Fusion users can also try out DirectX 11 support through the Early Adopter Program, bringing improved performance, better multi-monitor support, and reduced resource usage. For ZoomText users specifically, this release brings improved compatibility with Google Docs , more accurate behavior in Outlook , and smoother cursor tracking in web and document environments. Additional updates improve AppReader , Reading Zones , and magnification stability. We also cover wide-ranging fixes and enhancements across Google Suite , Office apps , Braille displays , Visual Studio Code , and more. Whether you're a screen reader user, a magnification user, or both—this update delivers meaningful performance improvements and accessibility enhancements across the board.

Learn how to save time and edit documents more efficiently using the Find and Replace feature in Microsoft Word with JAWS. In this episode, Ron Miller walks you through practical examples—from replacing single and multiple words, to inserting special characters like ñ, to using the built-in thesaurus to find the perfect synonym. You'll also discover handy JAWS tips like using the clipboard viewer and jumping to specific pages in long documents. Whether you're a student, professional, or just want to sharpen your editing skills, this episode offers step-by-step guidance to boost your productivity with JAWS.

In this episode, we provide an overview of the OneDrive desktop app, and show you how to sort files, set folder options, access OneDrive settings, and more.

Innosearch offers an online shopping experience that makes it easy to shop for and purchase products from many popular retailers all on one website. Join us and members of Innosearch as we discuss this accessible platform.

In this episode, Liz shows you how to use PlaceMarkers in JAWS to mark locations and select text in Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, and on web pages. You will learn about temporary versus permanent PlaceMarkers and different scenarios where using them can increase productivity and proficiency.

In this episode, Ron Miller from Freedom Scientific's training team highlights key updates in the May 2025 releases of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion. Learn about the new Home and Professional subscription plans, major MathCAT enhancements for speech and Braille math accessibility, UEB math support, and improved navigation options. Ron also demonstrates how to use the new AI-based UI Labeler, enhanced split Braille features, and Live Text View in ZoomText and Fusion. Whether you're a student, professional, or accessibility enthusiast, this episode guides you through the most impactful new features and how to try them out.

Whether you're new to Windows 11 or upgrading soon, this episode offers ten essential tips for navigating the new environment using JAWS. Join Liz and Rachel as they demonstrate how to manage notifications, set focus sessions, access system settings, create desktop shortcuts, pin apps to the Start menu, and more. You'll also learn how to use File Explorer's updated toolbar, change default applications, and manage running tasks efficiently. This episode is packed with practical guidance to help screen reader users feel confident in Windows 11.

In this episode, we explore how to effectively manage your browsing history in Google Chrome using JAWS. Learn how to access, navigate, and search your browser history, as well as how to delete it selectively using advanced settings. We also dive into browser history display quirks, explain how to use table navigation and link lists with JAWS, and demonstrate how to search directly from the Chrome address bar. Plus, get an introduction to Chrome extensions that enhance history management, including how to install, manage, and toggle them. Whether you're cleaning up your digital trail or just trying to find that one page you visited last week, this episode has the tools and tips you need.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Insert J Club—a new community initiative from Freedom Scientific designed to bring users of JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion even closer to the people behind the technology. In this special launch event, team members share personal stories of how assistive technology has shaped their lives and careers, from education and employment to hobbies and personal passions. You'll also learn what the Insert J Club is all about, how you can get involved, and what exclusive benefits await members. Join the Insert J Club today at www.freedomscientific.com/insertjclub/

In this episode of 20 Minute Tech Tips , Liz demonstrates how to use the JAWS Text Analyzer to proofread documents more effectively. Learn how to detect and correct common inconsistencies like double spaces, stray punctuation, unmatched parentheses, and formatting issues when working in Microsoft Word. Liz walks through enabling and customizing Text Analyzer settings, using quick keyboard commands to navigate errors, and applying Text Analyzer to finalize documents and blog posts. Plus, discover how to toggle the feature on and off for a streamlined proofreading experience. Stay tuned at the end for updates about the Insert J Club and upcoming Freedom Scientific training events!