Low Vision Software Updates for JAWS, ZoomText and Fusion – September 2024

Software Updates JAWS, ZoomText and Fusion
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    Low Vision Software Updates for September 2024

    The September 2024 low vision software updates for JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion 2024 are here. No matter which product you use, you will benefit from the new enhancements.  We strongly encourage installing new updates so you can take advantage of new features and updated performance. We regularly update JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion to stay current with Windows, browsers, Office, and other applications.

    Updates to JAWS

    Picture Smart AI

    The INSERT+SPACEBAR, P, ENTER command, which describes an image based on the current application and context, has been expanded to now do the following:

    • If playing a video from a source like YouTube, it describes a screenshot from the current position in the video.
    • If a PowerPoint slideshow is running, it describes the current slide.
    • If you are in PowerPoint with a slide selected but not in an active slideshow, it describes the currently visible slide.

    New Quick Navigation Option for Sliders

    JAWS now offers the option to navigate directly to slider controls on web pages, such as the Seek slider on YouTube for rewinding or fast-forwarding a video. By default, there is no keystroke assigned. To assign a keystroke to navigate to the next or previous slider, do the following:

    1. From an open browser window, Press INSERT+F2, N, then ENTER. The Navigation Quick Key Manager opens.
    2. From the list of available actions, select Slider.
    3. Press TAB to move to the Edit Key Assignment button and press SPACEBAR. The Edit Quick Navigation Key Assignment dialog box opens.
    4. In the Key Assignment combo box, press UP or DOWN ARROW to scroll through the list of available letters and numbers that can be assigned to the action. Press ENTER after choosing an item from the list. The new key assignment now appears in the Assignment column of the Navigation Quick Key Manager dialog box.
    5. Select OK to save your change and close the dialog box and you should now be able to move to slider controls using the key you assigned.

    Enhanced Java Support – Early Adopter Program

    Some Java applications built with Java Swing might feel slow and unresponsive. Our Early Adopter Program now offers an enhancement that can greatly improve both performance and navigation for these applications. Currently, this updated support is available by doing the following:

    1. In the JAWS Options menu, choose Early Adopter Program.
    2. Select Improve Java swing support.
      Note: If you clear the check box, you return to the legacy Java support.
    3. Select OK and restart the software.

    Once enabled, JAWS allows smoother navigation and responsiveness in Java Swing applications using the JAWS Touch Cursor (SHIFT+NUM PAD PLUS, or CAPS LOCK+SHIFT+SEMICOLON for Laptop Layout). Especially in complex Java applications, you will notice significant improvements.

    How does it work?

    With the new support enabled, JAWS exposes Java Swing controls through User Interface Automation (UIA), similar to other Windows applications. This means that the JAWS Touch cursor can now be used to navigate through the Swing app controls. The Java Access Bridge, an interface used for many years to relay information from Java applications to JAWS, is no longer needed. Be aware that any custom JAWS scripts relying on the Java Access Bridge may no longer function correctly.

    We greatly value your feedback on improvements or issues you experience with this new Java support. Please share your experiences via the Early Adopter Program so we can continue refining our services.

    Google Sheets

    • Addressed an issue where JAWS was not speaking deleted characters when using BACKSPACE.
    • If the Speak row and Speak column options are enabled in the Accessibility menu, the ALT+CTRL+SHIFT+R and ALT+CTRL+SHIFT+C now work as expected to read the current row or column.

    JAWS Application

    • As applications and websites can adjust their structure based on the size of the window, the INSERT+T command has been enhanced to provide the current visual state of the active window in addition to the title by pressing this keystroke twice quickly. For example, if JAWS appears not to be reading as expected or you are not able to locate certain controls, you can press INSERT+T twice quickly to confirm if the current window is restored or maximized so you can make adjustments to the window as needed. Additionally, JAWS now provides feedback in speech and Braille when using WINDOWS+ARROW keys to adjust the window size, such as using WINDOWS+UP ARROW to maximize if JAWS reports it as restored.
    • The JAWS keystroke for speaking all PlaceMarkers on web pages or moving to a marked place in Word has been changed to ALT+SHIFT+WINDOWS+K. This resolves a conflict with the Teams command, ALT+WINDOWS+K, to globally toggle mute on or off.
    • If CTRL+WINDOWS+L is used to switch to a specific language, JAWS will no longer switch languages automatically until focus is moved away from the current application.
    • The JAWS Keyboard Manager now allows you to assign scripts to extended function keys (F13 through F24), which are available on certain types of keyboards.
    • The Liblouis Braille translator used by JAWS and Fusion has been updated to version 3.30.0.

    Other

    • JAWS no longer speaks content multiple times in Zoom edit fields.
    • When navigating through radio buttons on a web page, JAWS now correctly announces the position of the selected radio button in the group.
    • Resolved a keyboard conflict when using the Text Expander application.

    Links and Downloads

    Update to ZoomText and Fusion

    Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome

    • Mouse echo in ZoomText and Fusion will now read browser tabs in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome correctly when you hover your mouse over them.
    • The ZoomText Finder feature has been improved to recognize headings and form fields on web pages in Microsoft Edge and Google Chrome.

    Outlook 365

    • Improved Outlook 365 support. You can start typing your email reply right after you select Reply without losing the first few characters, thus making email responses quicker and more efficient.

    Microsoft Teams

    • Added typing echo support for writing chat messages in Microsoft Teams. Typing echo is also known as keyboard echo in ZoomText.

    ZoomText and Fusion

    • When using a USB camera with ZoomText, the Camera view did not always display properly when running multiple monitors in Span mode. This problem has been resolved.
    • A system freeze has been fixed when a camera is in use on the secondary display during ZoomText or Fusion startup.
    • Resolved conflicts with third-party apps that blocked ZoomText from starting properly.
    • Changes to ZoomText settings can be saved to a configuration file at any time. There was a problem where new changes were not being overwritten if the same name was used for the configuration file.
    • Improved stability of Fusion’s Braille Viewer and Text Viewer, especially when switching between Extended Desktop and Single Desktop modes.
    • Command Search is a feature available in both JAWS and Fusion. It  allows you to enter a full or partial description of a command whose keystrokes you do not remember. Commands that match your search are displayed in a window along with a description of the feature and associated keystrokes.
      For Fusion, Command Search has been expanded to include more magnification commands and other functionality typically used by ZoomText. For example, if you have forgotten the keystroke to toggle xFont bold on and off, you can do the following:

      1. Press INSERT+SPACEBAR, J to open Command Search.
      2. Move focus to the Search box, and type a term like “xFont.”
      3. A list of related results is displayed showing the command, keystroke, and description.

    Links and Downloads

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