Freedom Scientific Training Podcast

Hosted by Freedom Scientific Training Department

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Episodes

273

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Would you like to download Freedom Scientific's audio training content on your smart phone or mobile device? Want the convenience of listening to the step by step instructional demos we provide on your Amazon Echo or Google Home device? The Freedom Scientific Training podcast places hours of free audio training content right at your fingertips. You can listen to free lessons on a variety of topics ranging from basic Windows 10 to Advanced tasks in Microsoft Excel. Simply subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, or for further instructions on how to listen visit blog.freedomscientific.com.

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60 recent

August 7, 202644 min

Six Tips for Managing Complex Documents with JAWS

Long Word documents don't have to be overwhelming. In this episode of the Vispero Training Podcast, we share six practical techniques for navigating, editing, and managing complex documents more efficiently with JAWS. Whether you're working with lengthy reports, research papers, collaborative documents, or forms, these tips will help you spend less time searching and more time getting work done. You'll learn how to take advantage of features like bookmarks, comments, document structure, Skim Reading, formatting navigation, and other built-in JAWS tools to quickly locate the information you need and move through documents with confidence. We also answer audience questions about working with PDFs, protected templates, OneDrive, tracked changes, bookmarks, and document accessibility, while demonstrating real-world workflows you can apply immediately. Whether you're a student, professional, or everyday JAWS user, this session is packed with time-saving strategies to make working with complex documents faster, easier, and more productive.

July 31, 202642 min

The Power of Prompting: Maximize Productivity for Better Results

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming an essential tool for work, school, and everyday life—but getting great results starts with knowing how to ask the right questions. In this episode of the Vispero Training Podcast, we explore the art of prompting and share practical strategies for writing clear, effective prompts that help AI tools produce more accurate, useful, and consistent responses. Along the way, we discuss choosing the right AI tool for different tasks, troubleshooting common issues, and improving accessibility when working with screen readers. We also answer audience questions about using ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, and Gemini with JAWS, working with transcripts and captions during webinars, and techniques for getting better results from AI-powered workflows. Whether you're brand new to AI or looking to sharpen your prompting skills, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you work more efficiently and confidently with today's AI tools.

June 26, 202644 min

Ten Essential Tips for Using Powerpoint with JAWS

In this episode of the Vispero Training Podcast, hosts Liz and Rachel share ten essential tips for working more efficiently in Microsoft PowerPoint with JAWS. They demonstrate how to quickly locate and open presentations, navigate slides and content placeholders, move between different areas of the PowerPoint interface, and use keyboard shortcuts to streamline common tasks. The discussion also covers editing slide content, working with images and alt text, understanding PowerPoint's layout structure, and using tools like the Accessibility Checker to help create more inclusive presentations. Whether you're reviewing an existing deck or building one from scratch, these practical techniques can help you navigate and manage PowerPoint with greater confidence and productivity using JAWS. For additional resources and future training opportunities, be sure to visit the Freedom Scientific webinars archive.

June 19, 202642 min

Use AI Features in JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion to Better Understand and Navigate Digital Content

Rachel and Liz demonstrate how built-in AI features in JAWS, ZoomText, and Fusion, including Picture Smart AI, Vispero Companion, Page Explorer, and AI Labeler, can help users better understand, navigate, and interact with inaccessible or complex digital content. Through real-world examples such as online calendars, Google Docs, email images, and grocery shopping websites, they show how these tools can simplify everyday tasks and improve productivity.

May 29, 202654 min

Six JAWS Features for Mastering Complex Documents and Web Pages

In this episode, Liz and Rachel explore six powerful JAWS features designed to help users navigate complex web pages, PDFs, forms, and documents more efficiently. They demonstrate how tools like Picture Smart AI, AI Labeler, Table Layer navigation, and Page Explorer can simplify cluttered or inaccessible content by providing image descriptions, labeling unlabeled controls, restructuring difficult tables, and summarizing web pages with AI assistance. The discussion also covers practical workflows for extracting accessible data from PDFs and web tables, navigating complicated forms, and using conversational AI prompts inside JAWS to better understand digital environments. Whether you're working with inaccessible documents, dense web pages, or complicated forms, this session highlights how modern AI-powered accessibility tools can dramatically improve productivity and navigation.

May 8, 202640 min

Six Tips for Managing the New Outlook with JAWS

In this episode, Liz and Rachel share six practical tips for managing the New Outlook Calendar with JAWS, focusing on efficient navigation, scheduling, and collaboration. They begin by explaining how the new Outlook differs from the classic version, highlighting its web-based structure and how that impacts keyboard navigation and screen reader behavior. Listeners will learn how to handle meeting requests, including how to open invites, RSVP using the updated interface, and access additional options like proposing new times or replying to organizers. The episode also covers core calendar navigation using JAWS, including how to move between sections, select dates, and orient yourself within the interface using tools like F6 and Tab. The hosts walk through creating and scheduling meetings, demonstrating both a simplified scheduling method and the more advanced scheduler for detailed availability management. They also explain how to cancel or forward meetings, add locations or Teams links, and customize event details. Additional tips include switching between calendar views (day, work week, week, and month), using search to quickly locate events, and sharing your calendar with specific permissions. The episode wraps with insights on key settings—like keyboard shortcut configurations and accessibility options—to optimize the experience when using JAWS with the new Outlook.

May 1, 202635 min

Use Track Changes and Comments to Revise Word Documents with JAWS

This episode walks through how to effectively use Track Changes and Comments in Microsoft Word with JAWS, making document collaboration more accessible and manageable. Liz and Rachel break down how Track Changes works, including how to turn it on, interpret edits like insertions and deletions, and switch between different viewing modes such as Original, No Markup, Simple Markup, and All Markup. They also share practical strategies for navigating revisions more efficiently using JAWS-specific keyboard commands, including how to review edits individually, filter changes by reviewer, and use the revisions pane for a clearer overview. The discussion covers how to accept or reject changes, lock tracking to prevent further edits, and customize what types of changes are displayed. In the second half, the focus shifts to modern comments in Word. Rachel explains how comments have evolved, including features like drafting before posting, @mentions, threaded replies, and improved navigation. You'll learn multiple ways to move through comments, create new ones, and manage existing threads by editing, resolving, or deleting them. Whether you're collaborating on documents for school or work, this episode provides actionable tips and keyboard shortcuts to streamline your workflow and confidently review documents using JAWS.

April 24, 202635 min

Plan, Organize, and Complete Projects with AI

In this episode of the Freedom Scientific Training Podcast, Liz and Rachel walk you through how to use AI to take a project from idea to execution—without feeling overwhelmed. Learn how to turn big, complex tasks into clear, actionable steps using AI tools. You'll discover how to create structured plans, build task lists, set realistic goals, and organize projects into manageable phases and timelines. The session also covers how to prepare for meetings, develop agendas, and use effective prompting techniques to get better, more usable results from AI. Whether you're tackling a work project or organizing something personal, this episode shows how AI can help you stay focused, efficient, and in control from start to finish. For more training resources, visit FreedomScientific.com/training.

March 27, 202615 min

Using JAWS Voice Assistant

Explore the power of Voice Assistant in JAWS and ZoomText—your hands-free way to navigate, control, and interact with your computer using simple spoken commands. In this training, we break down how Voice Assistant works, including wake word activation ("Hey Sharky" or "Hey Zoomy"), keyboard alternatives, and the audible cues that guide each interaction. You'll hear real examples of commands in action—from adjusting speech rate and checking the time, to opening applications and selecting text with precision. We also walk through key features like Keyboard Help for learning shortcuts, Voice Assistant settings for customization, and where to find a complete list of supported commands. Whether you're new to JAWS or looking to streamline your workflow, this session highlights how Voice Assistant can make everyday tasks faster, easier, and more accessible. For additional resources and a full command list, visit Freedom Scientific's training page and explore everything Voice Assistant has to offer.

March 13, 202636 min

The Power of Productivity, Accessing Copilot in Office 365 with JAWS

In this episode of the Freedom Scientific Training Podcast , Liz and Rachel demonstrate how Microsoft Copilot works within Microsoft 365 when used with JAWS. They walk through practical examples in Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint, showing how AI can help draft emails, summarize documents and email threads, analyze spreadsheet data, and generate presentation notes. 03_06 Archive, The Power of Pro… Along the way, they explain the differences between Copilot versions included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions, how Copilot integrates with desktop apps, and tips for navigating the Copilot pane with JAWS. If you're looking for ways to use AI to work more efficiently in Microsoft Office, this episode offers a helpful introduction and real-world demonstrations. 03_06 Archive, The Power of Pro…