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Assistive Technology_1: Job Access with Speech (JAWS)

 Educational systems influenced by the idea of inclusive education try to embrace the philosophy of education for all, irrespective of learners' disabilities and backgrounds. To achieve the vision of inclusive education, the educator uses various assistive technologies and software. According to Halpin (2025), these assistive tools not only remove barriers but also promote autonomy, participation, and achievement among learners with disabilities. Out of numerous assistive tools, one of the most effective is Job Access with Speech (JAWS). JAWS is one of many screen-reading software programs developed by Freedom Scientific for computers. This tool is mainly developed for people with visual impairments to read the content or text displayed on screen through either a text-to-speech output or a braille display.


I think the JAWS software is the most effective compared to other tools for visually impaired learners or people. It has a lot of features, like speech and Braille output, document and web reading, multilingual support, mouse navigation, web browsing keystrokes, etc. Moreover, scientific freedom made training materials and programmes to help users learn how to use the tools effectively. Despite JAWS being one of the best assistive tools, it has numerous drawbacks, like compatibility issues, high cost, steep learning curve, performance issues, etc. At the same time, JAWS also has many advantages that outweigh its disadvantages. I see the cost of purchasing a licence to use this software as the biggest since not every differently abled (visually impaired) person would be able to afford to use the tools. Although Freedom Scientific provides annual licences and free 40-minute trial versions, these may not be practical for long-term academic use. I think reducing its cost or making it free would benefit a lot of differently abled (visually impaired) people around the globe.

To use this tool on our computer, we have to first download it from the website of Scientific Freedom, following the instructions provided there. Then, open the JAWS software from the desktop or start menu to view the JAWS menu and to start reading the content displayed on the screen. Basic navigation includes using the Tab key to move around, using the Arrow keys to read text, and using Insert + Down Arrow to read everything on the screen. If the user faces any difficulty while using the software, they can press Insert + J on their keyboard for the menu and to find help and training options.

 Now Bhutan education system has also started embracing the inclusive education philosophy, where some schools have both normal students and differently abled students learning together in the same classroom, like Drukgyel Central School. JAWS software is one of the assistive tools that can be used to help visually impaired learners improve their academic learning in school, as it can access all the learning materials without any barrier. These tools can help to greatly reduce the gap in disabled students' learning caused by visual impairment. Although JAWS has a lot of helpful features and advantages, I recommend this for elder students (above class 4) since it is a bit difficult to learn to use the features of JAWS software. So, for smaller disabled people or learners, I would recommend that a tutor or teacher use an alternative tool like NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access), which is similar to JAWS and easier to use. 

Exploring JAWS has deepened my understanding of the role assistive technology plays in achieving inclusive education. It is not just a tool but a bridge—one that connects visually impaired learners to the digital world of knowledge, communication, and opportunity. While its cost and complexity may pose challenges, its benefits in promoting access, independence, and equity are undeniable. As a future educator, I believe it is our responsibility to not only be aware of such tools but also advocate for their integration into our classrooms. More importantly, we must work toward ensuring that every student, regardless of ability, is given the support they need to thrive.

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