Assistive
technology guide
Using the assistive technology
PCs in the Templeman Libray
Contents
JAWS Professional
2
Pearl with OpenBook Scanning & Reading software
3
Access apps
6
Useful contacts
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JAWS Professional
For students with a visual impairment
Provides access to software applications and the Internet for those who are blind or have
low vision. Its multilingual synthesizer speaks through the computer’s sound card, reading
information aloud from the screen and providing access to a wide variety of information
applications.
Starting JAWS
1. Click Start > All Programs > Accessibility
2. Click JAWS
Stopping JAWS
From the JAWS window, click Options > Exit
JAWS help
1. Activate the JAWS window (press INSERT+J)
2. Click the Help menu (or press ALT+H)
3. Select Help Topics
2
Pearl with OpenBook Scanning &
Reading software
For students with a visual impairment or reduced mobility
Getting started
Either:
• press ALT + CTRL + 0 simultaneously
or
• using your mouse, double click the OpenBook 9.0 icon on the desktop.
Once launched, OpenBook opens with a blank untitled document from which you can begin
working.
OpenBook software works alongside the PEARL Camera (scanner) which is located to the left
hand side of the monitor.
Acquiring single page documents
1. Place the document’s top edge against the page guide
2. To align a single page document, do one of the following:
• centre it between the outer edges of the page guide
• or line up a side edge of the document with an outer edge of the page guide
3. After aligning the document, move your hands out of the way, and press F4 to acquire a
image and start reading.
4. Position the next page to be scanned, then press F4 again.
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Acquiring large books
1. To align a large book with facing pages, make sure that the inside margin of the page to be
acquired is aligned with the edge of the page guide. This prevents needless information on
the opposite page from being acquired.
Figure 5 shows a right-hand page aligned with the left edge of the page guide:
2. Once aligned, move your hands out of the way, and press F4 to acquire an image and start
reading.
3. Acquire one page at a time when acquiring a full-size book with facing pages. Slide the book
to the left or right to capture the next page.
4. Position the next page to be scanned, then press F4 again.
Acquiring small books (paperbacks or journals)
1. Place the book sideways with one edge against the page guide, then centre the book
between the outer edges of the page guide (see Figure 6). This allows you to capture two
pages at once and maintain pagination.
2. After aligning the book, move your hands out of the way, and press F4 to acquire an image
and start reading.
3. Position the next page to be scanned, then press F4 again.
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Viewing your document
• To cycle through different ways to view your document, press CTRL+SHIFT+V
• To navigate your document you can move between pages:
Next page
CTRL+PAGE DOWN
Last page
CTRL+PAGE UP
Saving your document
1. When you have finished, press CTRL+S to save
2. You will then be able to give a file name and format to your document, eg *.doc for Microsoft
Word
3. If you want to be able to view our document as originally scanned (Exact View), save the file
as an OpenBook Docs (*.obx) file.
To save your document as an audio file
1. Click File > Save to Audio
2. Choose the file format, eg MP3 or WAV and Save
Useful keyboard shortcuts
Commands
Keys
Acquire and read document
(Read-only mode and Edit mode)
F4
Stop automatic acquisition
ESC
Toggle camera LED on or off
(use this if there is not enough light in the room)
CTRL+L
To have OpenBook read to you
INSERT+DOWN ARROW
Increase speech rate
CTRL+ALT+PAGE UP
Decrease speech rate
CTRL+ALT+PAGE DOWN
Silence speech
CTRL
To access the Help menus
Press F1 or select Help from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
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Access Apps
For students with a visual impairment or dyslexia
A range of solutions to support writing, reading and planning as well as sensory, cognitive and
physical difficulties.
Getting started
1. Double click the AccessApps icon on the desktop:
2. Follow the instructions on screen.
Useful contacts
IT & Library Support Desk, Templeman West, Floor 1
Phone 01227 82 4999
[email protected]
Student Support and Wellbeing, Keynes College
Phone 01227 82 3158
[email protected]
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