Freedom Scientific Accessibility Software (JAWS®, ZoomText®, and Fusion®)

Updated as of May 4, 2024

JAWS^® Screen Reading Software

JAWS is screen reading software that is both rich and robust. Freedom Scientific provides a wealth of resources for JAWS users. From traditional guides and shortcut sheets to YouTube videos and MP3s, Freedom Scientific allows you to pinpoint your training needs and get the information to fill those needs efficiently and for FREE!

Basic JAWS training materials

• Pick which parts you need on the JAWS Getting Started page, where materials are available for download in DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System), MP3, and HTML formats for you to listen to or read at your convenience.
• Download the complete JAWS Basic Training that contains the entire Basic Training in MP3 and HTML format, as a ZIP file that you can extract to any location on your computer.
• Surf’s Up is a series of self-guided lessons that teach you to read and navigate the web using JAWS.
  • Surf’s Up online
  • Download Surf’s Up

JAWS training videos

• The Freedom Scientific Training YouTube channel contains dozens of videos (most 2-4 minutes long) to help you learn/remember how to do specific tasks in JAWS. Consider subscribing to this channel so that you will get notice of future uploads.
• JAWS Playlist

More advanced JAWS training materials

• With Additional JAWS Training, discover tips and tricks for JAWS features (like Convenient OCR and Research It) as well as advanced skills, including using Microsoft Excel spreadsheets and JAWS in Tandem mode. These lessons are available for download in both DAISY (Digital Accessible Information System) and MP3 format.   

JAWS reference materials

• JAWS FAQs
• JAWS Hotkeys
• JAWS Touch Gestures

ZoomText^® Screen Magnification Software

ZoomText is powerful screen magnification software with many advanced features that put you, the user, in control of what the computer screen displays and how you navigate it. Additionally, ZoomText has some basic screen reading capabilities.

Basic ZoomText training materials

• ZoomText Getting Started
• ZoomText training videos on YouTube

ZoomText reference materials

• ZoomText FAQs
• ZoomText Hotkeys

Fusion^® Screen Reading AND Screen Magnification Software

Fusion combines both JAWS and ZoomText to provide access to both screen reading and screen magnification. Many resources for Fusion are found in the JAWS and ZoomText sections above. Here are some Fusion-specific resources:

Basic Fusion training materials

• Fusion Getting Started
• Fusion training videos on YouTube

Fusion reference materials

• Fusion FAQs
• Fusion Hotkeys

Contact the Bridges Helpdesk for More Information

• Our Accessible web form
• Email: Helpdesk@imagemd.org 
• Text: Send to: (410) 357-1546
• Voice mail: Call (410) 357-1546, leave a voice mail message, and we will return your call

This unique project is being coordinated through The IMAGE Center of Maryland, a center for independent living in Towson, and it is funded by a grant from the Maryland Department of Education Division of Special Education/Early Intervention Services.