• Donate Now
• Adjust Color & Font
• Newsletter Sign up

• Donors
• Family or friend
• Person with vision loss
• Professionals

• Tip Categories
  • Everyday Living
  • Out & About
  • Fun & Leisure
  • Technology Can Do's
  • Positive Attitudes

Tip of the Week - Technology Can Do's

1. Choosing good apps
2. Using JAWS for shopping online
3. Keystroke shortcuts for Microsoft Excel
4. Spellcheck in JAWS
5. Fixing spelling errors on Facebook
6. Quick navigation keys with JAWS
7. Voice commands with iPhone
8. Label photos with PenFriend
9. Using GPS
10. Quick key for "respond to all"
11. Quick keystrokes in Outlook
12. ZoomText key commands
13. iPhone currency reader app
14. Speeding up the reading
15. Music on Victor Reader Stream
16. Bookmarks with Victor Reader Stream
17. Paragraph hopping with JAWS
18. Reading dialogue boxes
19. Searching the web
20. Accessing the front dialogue box
21. Using Victor Reader Stream's go-to button
22. Using Alt-F4 keystroke combination
23. Easy way to perform a web search in Internet Explorer
24. Navigating around and between worksheets in Excel
25. Quick keystroke for returning to previously viewed web page
26. Easy way to protect your Stream
27. Protecting iPhone passwords

We have all bought apps that are duds – either not accessible or don't work as well as expected. Like lost change in a vending machine, it is not worth the trouble to get your money back. Here are some tips from our Apple expert Micky Holdsworth on purchasing apps:

• Never buy an app for over $5.00 without a trusted recommendation
• Check the system requirements for compatibility with your device -- some apps do not work on all products e.g., iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad
• When checking apps recommended by friends, read the app description for clues on accessibility
• Read the app reviews posted by other purchasers
• Check the Apple website for further information on accessibility of many apps

For all you cyber Monday holiday shoppers using a screen reader -- here are a couple of JAWS keystrokes that can make your online shopping experience less frustrating:

• Use the Forms Field list box (JAWS key + F5) to enter all the information required to complete your purchase such as shipping address and credit card numbers.
• Use the Headings list box (JAWS key + F6) to quickly navigate to the pertinent information you are looking for such as product descriptions and your shopping cart.

Did you know you can use the quick keystroke of CONTROL and 1 to access the Format Cells dialog box in Microsoft Excel? You can change the appearance of numbers, font style, color, borders and more! Back to top

In JAWS, misspelled words and grammar mistakes are not automatically announced. To turn on this feature, go to the JAWS Verbosity/Setting Center (INSERT V). Under Editing options, toggle spelling detection on by pressing the SPACE BAR. Back to top

Some web applications like Facebook and Yahoo mail have a spell check feature. You can choose the correct word by using your APPLICATIONS KEY and DOWN ARROW. Back to top

JAWS users can use some Internet quick navigation keys like "H" for next heading. In MS Word by pressing INSERT Z to toggle them on and off. Back to top

Did you know you can give spoken commands to your iPhone? Press and hold the home button on your iPhone until you hear a bell. Say the word "call" or "dial" followed by the phone number you want or the name of someone in your contact list. Voiceover will repeat back to you what you said so you can cancel if a mistake was made. Give your important contacts distinctive names for more accurate results and privacy. This tip submitted by Micky Holdsworth, our Apple tutor. Back to top

Here is a fun use for the Pen Friend and a terrific way to remember your photographs. Ask someone to help you identify who or what is in the photograph and any other memories around the event. Record it on a pen friend label and place it next to each picture. You can share your album with other family members, especially younger ones, who may not know about relatives or events you find special. This tip submitted by our Tech Exchange group. Back to top

If you are using a GPS device to aid in your travels, make sure you are moving in order to get an accurate read on your direction and location. Back to top

Did you know you can use the quick key stroke of CTRL + SHIFT + R to respond to all in an email with more than one recipient? Be careful with this one -- make sure you know who all the recipients are before sending! Back to top

In Outlook, you can use the quick keystroke of CTRL + N to create the following:

Attention Zoom Text users! Have you tried using the key command of ALT and the PLUS or MINUS key to zoom in and out? The Guild's ZoomText class teaches you great techniques like this. For class information, contact the Guild's Adaptive Technology department. Back to top

Attention iPhone Users! Having trouble identifying the bills in your wallet? Get the new iPhone currency reader app. Call Micky, the Guild's Apple tutor for information on this app and more! This tip submitted by Micky Holdsworth. Back to top

JAWS users can use the key combination of ALT + CTRL and the PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN keys to adjust the speed of the JAWS speaking voice. This is a temporary speed change and will return to the default setting when you leave the document or application. Back to top

Want to hear a variety of music on your Victor Reader Stream? Press #9 in the music folder to select the random play option. Back to top

Did you know you can make your own notes in a book or document on your Victor Reader Stream? First, press the diamond shaped key on the top right side of your Stream twice until you hear "insert bookmark." Next, push the audio recording button on the right side of the unit. Record your notes and then press the audio recording button again and your audio bookmark has been created. When you go back to this bookmark, your audio notes will play before your Stream begins reading the text. For more great tips on using your Victor Reader Stream, call the Guild for our next Stream training class. Back to top

To skim a document quickly in Microsoft Word, you can jump paragraph to paragraph by using the combination keystroke of CTRL and the UP or DOWN ARROW keys. This keystroke works for JAWS or ZoomText or even without any adaptive software. Remember, this keystroke does move the active cursor to the beginning of the paragraph. Back to top

Are you wondering what that dialogue box says on your computer? JaAWS users can use the combination keystroke of INSERT (zero on the Num Pad) and the letter B to read any open dialogue box in a Microsoft application. Back to top

To quickly bring up a search box when surfing the web, use CTRL and E in Internet Explorer or your favorite web browser, then type the name of your search term and hit enter. Back to top

You can use the quick keystroke of CTRL and D to access the Font dialog box in Microsoft Word? This keystroke is a Windows keystroke and works whether you are using ZoomText, JAWS or any other screen reading or magnification program. Back to top

Do you know how to get to the beginning of a book on your Victor Reader Stream? Pressing the square "go to" button on the top left of your Stream and then pressing the "play/pause" button will take you to the beginning of any book. This keystroke also works in text files and in audio recordings when in the go to percent mode. Back to top

Have you tried using the quick keystroke of ALT and F4 to close an application? This works great if you are having trouble locating the “X” when using screen magnification, a screen reader or no adaptive technology at all. Back to top

An easy way to perform a web search in Internet Explorer is to use the address bar on a web page. Press ALT D to get to the address bar, type in your search terms and press enter to receive your results. Back to top

In Microsoft Excel, JAWS users can use the quick keystroke of CTRL + SHIFT + S to get a list of the tabs in a workbook. ARROW UP and DOWN through the list and press ENTER on the worksheet of your choice. You can also use CONTROL + PAGE UP or DOWN to move from worksheet to worksheet.Back to top

Have you ever surfed the Web and then wanted to go back to a page and couldn't find it? The quick keystroke of CTRL + H provides a history of previously viewed Web pages categorized by day and week and also by website. This is a tree view and can be navigated using your ARROW keys. When you find the page you want, press ENTER. Back to top

Are you using your Victor Reader Stream for recreational activities like cooking or going to the beach? Protect your Stream by sealing it in a plastic zip lock bag with the ear bud threaded through the corner of the bag. You will still be able to feel the tactile buttons through the plastic while keeping your Stream protected from water, sand or cooking debris. Back to top

To ensure no one sees a password you may be entering on your iPhone, use the screen curtain to black out the screen. A three-finger, triple tap toggles the screen curtain on and off when using VoiceOver. Back to top

If you have any creative tips or simple solutions to tackle everyday issues, please send them via email to cherylm@guildfortheblind.org