JAWS FSCompanion Help Feature

Question

What is the FSCompanion JAWS Help feature, and how can I access it?

 

Answer

What is FSCompanion?

FSCompanion is a built-in JAWS feature that provides quick access to help resources, tutorials, and user guides directly within the screen reader. It offers interactive support for JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion, including:

  • General Usage: Tips for getting started with basic navigation and commands.
  • Application-Specific Guidance: Instructions for using JAWS in popular applications like Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
  • Braille Display Integration: Guideance on pairing JAWS with a braille display.
  • Version Information: Details on new features and release notes for JAWS versions.

What Applications Can FSCompanion Assist with? 

FSCompanion provides JAWS users with help on the following applications: 

  1. Microsoft Word: Navigating and editing Word documents. 
  1. Microsoft Excel: Working with spreadsheets. 
  1. Microsoft PowerPoint: Navigating and creating presentations. 
  1. Microsoft Outlook: Handling emails and calendar events. 
  1. ZoomText and Fusion: Using these tools alongside JAWS. 

How to Access FSCompanion 

There are 2 different methods for accessing FSCompanion:

  1. From within JAWS: (version 2025 and later)
    1. Press Alt+H to open the JAWS Help menu 
    2. Press R to go to Web Resources
    3. Press C to select FSCompanion 

 Or 

  1.  Type fscompanion.ai in your web browser’s address bar. 

How to Perform a Search Using JAWS

  1. Once FSCompanion is loaded, JAWS will say, “Type your question here, edit.”
  2. Type your query, which can be a few words or a complete question.  If FSCompanion doesn’t understand, you'll be prompted for more information.
  3. Press Enter to submit the query. You’ll hear a “click” every second while FSCompanion retrieves the answer. 
  4. JAWS will automatically read the response provided by FSCompanion.

How to Review Previous Responses

  1. Press ESC to enable the Virtual Cursor, then use H or Shift+H to navigate through previous queries.
  2. When you find the desired query, press the Down Arrow key to review its response.
  3. To ask a new question, press E to move to the edit box (JAWS will say “Type your question here, edit”, then press Space. 
  4. Type a new question and press Enter.

For Additional Assistance

For more information, please contact the IT Accessibility Center at itaccessibilitycenter@missouri.edu or call (573) 884-2828.

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