Tutorials for the blind and visually impaired computer user.

With every challenge, there is a solution.

Below is a list of free computer based tutorials for blind and visually impaired screen reader users.
These concise step by step tutorials cover basics for beginners and act as a well structured reference guide for experts.
Computer learning and training for the visually impaired and blind has never been more easy.
Learn the concepts, and keyboard shortcuts for the following applications:

Tutorials.

The ribbons of Microsoft Office 2007.

I'm guessing you might already know about the infamous MS Office ribbons, but if not, they are the new interface method for the applications such as MS Word and Excel within the MS 2007 Office suite. The ribbons have replaced the standard menu bar and drop down menus and keyboard shortcuts. Basically, Microsoft has totally revamped the interface of their Office suite of programs.

I think it's safe to say that the ribbons are unavoidable since Microsoft is planning on keeping them for subsequent releases. It might seem strange that I start this list of tutorials by pointing to someone elses tutorial, but The Access Technology Institute offers excellent learning guides and ATI's CathyAnne Murtha has created a superb mp3 tutorial offering an overview and explanation of the new Microsoft ribbons.
So weather you are just curious or if you are ready to learn how to access the ribbons, you can find the 20 minute mp3 tutorial at this link CathyAnn Murtha's ribbons of MS 2007 tutorial .
Editing with Windows from the keyboard tutorial.

learn the basics of selecting, cutting , copying, pasting, and deleting text, files, and folders.
This tutorial briefly explains the concepts, lists the essential keystrokes and Offers invaluable information for anyone using a computer, while covering essential tips and tricks for JAWS for Windows and Window-Eyes screen reader users.

Internet Surfing with JAWS tutorial.

This 5 part tutorial will get you up and going online with Freedom Scientific's JAWS for Windows screen reader. We'll learn how to navigate and access specific areas of a Web page. We'll also cover some of the functions of your screen reader that will totally enhance your Internet surfing experience weather your a beginner or expert. then we'll dive right into Web browsing using a search engine so you can find the many treasures the internet has to offer.
This is an interactive tutorial designed to use the concepts you learn as we go.

Facebook for Screen Reader users.

Here are a few mini tutorials on navigating Facebook, accessing your Facebook friends, your FB Wall, and posting your profile pic.

Outlook Calendar with JAWS tutorial.

Learn how to set appointments, meetings and events. you'll never need to buy a calendar again. JAWS for Windows screen reader users can learn how to use the Outlook Calendar with this step by step tutorial. <

MS Excel with JAWS tutorial.
learn how to navigate and create basic and functional Microsoft Excel tables using JAWS for Windows screen reader.
Use this tutorial as a reference for Excel functions and concepts OR folow the learning exercises to build your own table from the ground up.
JAWS with Excel made easy! This tutorial also offers a free Excel personal budgeting template.

Attaching files to your Outlook email messages tutorial.

This one's good and easy and so very practical if you simply want to insert a file as an attachment to your email messages.

Hyper Hyper

These next 3 tutorials will have you hyper linking faster than you can say hyper hyper:

Creating hyper links to other files within Microsoft Excel tutorial.

Any cell within an XLS file can become a hyper link to a file, folder. or even a Web page. This tutorial explains how it's done in a few steps.
Creating hyper links with MS Word tutorial.
Learn how to create hyper links to: other places in a Word document, other files and documents, or to Web pages.

This step by step tutorial will have you creating interactive MS Word documents in no time.

Creating hyper links to shared files and folders with Outlook email.

Ideal for workplace situations where more than one person is working on a given file. This one's mostly for the office environment with shared directories and drives.
If you've ever wanted to send email messages containing a hyper link to a specific file or folder in a shared Drive using MS Outlook, this one breaks it down in a few easy steps.

Password protecting MS Word and Excel files tutorial.

When your Microsoft Word or Excel file is top secret and you need to protect it with a password so that only people who know the password can open it.

JAWS Speech Manager Tutorial

Take advantage of the JAWS Speech Manager. This easy to use JAWS feature will identify different font attributes and page elements by altering the JAWS reading voice and automatically announcing colour changes for you.
In this tutorial you will learn how to customize your own JAWS Speech schemes and how to activate the JAWS Speech Manager on the fly,
with one single keystroke.

Deeper into JAWS funtionality - keystrokes, tips and tricks. .

Use this tutorial as a resource for some essential JAWS keystrokes.
Follow the step by step instructions to get more out of your screen reader including:
The JAWS cursor, changing JAWS typing echo mode, font type and colour describer, creating placemarkers on Web pages + more.

Reassigning JAWS keystroke commands made easy.

This tutorial offers a practical example to show you how to change JAWS keystroke hot key commands.
This one is especially useful for JAWS laptop users.

PowerPoint 2003.
The University of Texas at Austin has a good series of online tutorials for screen reader users.
Here is the link to their Powerpoint 2003 with JAWS 8 online tutorial: PowerPoint 2003 with JAWS tutorial.

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Tutorials for the blind and visually impaired computer user.

Tutorials.

The ribbons of Microsoft Office 2007.

Hyper Hyper

PowerPoint 2003.