Discussed topics

JAWS Basics Introduction

Siena introduced JAWS (Job Access with Speech), a screen reader developed by Freedom Scientific (now Vespero).

• Details
  • Siena: Shared the history of JAWS, mentioning it was originally developed in the late 80s/early 90s by Hunter Joyce
  • Siena: Recalled her personal experience using JAWS 3.7 on Windows 98 during her school years
  • Ali: Mentioned his first computer experience was with Windows XP in 2005
  • Jackie: Shared that her first Windows experience was with Windows 95, then she skipped to Windows Millennium
• Conclusion
  • JAWS has evolved significantly since its early versions
  • Participants shared nostalgic memories of early Windows and screen reader experiences

Desktop Navigation with JAWS

Siena demonstrated various methods to navigate the desktop using JAWS.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed how to access the desktop using Windows+M or Windows+D
  • Siena: Demonstrated arrow key navigation through desktop icons
  • Siena: Explained first-letter navigation (pressing a letter to jump to icons starting with that letter)
  • Siena: Showed how to type multiple letters quickly to navigate to specific applications
• Conclusion
  • Three main methods for desktop navigation were presented:
    1. Arrow keys to move between icons
    2. First letter navigation to jump to applications starting with that letter
    3. Typing multiple letters quickly to navigate to specific applications

Virtual PC Cursor and JAWS Cursor

Siena explained the different cursor modes in JAWS and their functions.

• Details
  • Siena: Demonstrated the Virtual PC cursor for web navigation
  • Siena: Explained that Insert+Z toggles the Virtual PC cursor on/off
  • Siena: Showed how the JAWS cursor allows reading letter by letter in areas where normal navigation isn’t possible
  • Siena: Demonstrated using NumPad minus to route JAWS to PC and NumPad plus to return to Virtual PC cursor
• Conclusion
  • Virtual PC cursor is essential for web browsing and document navigation
  • Toggling between cursor modes is necessary for different tasks
  • The JAWS cursor provides additional reading capabilities in specific contexts

Web Browsing with JAWS

Siena demonstrated web navigation techniques using JAWS on various websites.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed how to navigate by headings using H and Shift+H
  • Siena: Demonstrated using Insert+F7 to bring up a list of links
  • Siena: Explained that Alt+M moves to a link without activating it
  • Siena: Showed how to navigate through links using arrow keys
  • Siena: Demonstrated turning Virtual PC cursor off to use website-specific keyboard shortcuts
• Conclusion
  • Headings are important landmarks for efficient web navigation
  • JAWS provides multiple methods to navigate links and web content
  • Virtual PC cursor must be turned off to use website-specific keyboard shortcuts without conflicts

DocuScan Plus Overview

Siena briefly demonstrated DocuScan Plus, a document scanning and reading application.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed DocuScan Plus in both self-voicing mode and with JAWS
  • Jackie: Asked what DocuScan Plus is used for and if it requires a scanner
  • Ali: Expressed interest in the program for future use
  • Siena: Explained it’s a lower-cost alternative to Kurzweil for OCR (optical character recognition)
  • Siena: Clarified that it works without a scanner and can be used on both PC and Mac
• Conclusion
  • DocuScan Plus is useful for making inaccessible documents (like PDFs) accessible
  • It can be used with or without a physical scanner
  • The group agreed to schedule a dedicated tutorial on DocuScan Plus

Check out the Agenda for the Next Couple Techstravaganza 2.0 Sessions at the Following Link

What’s Coming Up on Techstravaganza 2.0

Find the Schedule for the Regular Weekly Techstravaganza Workshops at the Following Link

(altered), Updated as of Feb 2, 2026, What’s Coming Up on Techstravaganza

Contact the team:

Email

support@techstravaganza.ca

Like us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578990010675

Follow the Show:

On Tunein

http://tun.in/pxXlj

On Apple Podcasts:

On Audible:

https://www.audible.ca/podcast/Techstravaganza/B0FWTHWQG7?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

On iHeart:

On Spotify

https://spotify.link/vVGru9nKBXb

Discussed topics

VoiceOver rotor basics

Siena provided a comprehensive overview of the rotor functionality in VoiceOver.

• Details
  • Siena: Explained that the rotor allows users to read by character, word, headings, and perform other functions
  • Siena: Demonstrated how to access the rotor by placing thumb and index finger on the screen and rotating as if turning a dial
  • Siena: Showed that users can navigate through rotor items by rotating clockwise or counterclockwise
  • Rob: Asked about keyboard users accessing the rotor
  • Siena: Explained that keyboard users can use up arrow with left arrow to go counterclockwise and up arrow with right arrow to go clockwise
• Conclusion
  • The rotor is a fundamental navigation tool for VoiceOver users
  • The gesture mimics turning a physical dial, rotating either clockwise or counterclockwise
  • Keyboard users can access rotor functions using arrow key combinations

Rotor items and functions

Siena demonstrated various items available in the rotor and their functions.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed characters, words, lines options for reading text at different levels
  • Siena: Demonstrated text selection options (character, word, line, page selection)
  • Siena: Explained hints feature that provides context-sensitive help for controls
  • Siena: Showed the actions menu that allows performing operations on selected items
  • Siena: Demonstrated braille screen input for typing in braille on the touchscreen
  • Siena: Explained containers for navigating between sections, especially useful on iPad
  • Siena: Showed headings navigation for web browsing
  • Siena: Demonstrated voice selection for switching between different language voices
• Conclusion
  • The rotor contains numerous navigation and interaction options
  • Different rotor items appear contextually based on the current screen or app
  • The actions menu provides quick access to common operations without needing to use gestures like long press

VoiceOver activities

Siena explained how activities in VoiceOver allow for preset configurations.

• Details
  • Siena: Demonstrated how activities allow users to switch between different VoiceOver presets
  • Siena: Explained her personal activities including reading (slower speech), editing (includes punctuation), tutorials (slower speech, some sounds disabled), and gaming (faster speech, sounds disabled)
  • Siena: Showed how to switch between activities using the rotor
• Conclusion
  • Activities provide quick access to different VoiceOver configurations
  • Users can create custom activities for specific use cases
  • Activities can adjust speech rate, punctuation level, and sound settings

Customizing the rotor

Siena demonstrated how to add or remove items from the rotor.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed how to access VoiceOver settings to customize the rotor
  • Siena: Navigated to Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Rotor > Rotor Items
  • Siena: Demonstrated selecting and deselecting items to include in the rotor
  • Siena: Explained that some items like “Actions” are always available and cannot be removed
  • Liz: Asked specifically about adding text selection and actions to her rotor
  • Siena: Confirmed text selection can be added, while actions is available by default
• Conclusion
  • The rotor is highly customizable to suit individual needs
  • Users can add or remove items through VoiceOver settings
  • Some items are context-sensitive and only appear in certain apps or situations

Practical demonstration with Mail app

Siena demonstrated practical applications of the rotor in the Mail app.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed how to use the actions menu to delete, flag, or mark emails as read
  • Siena: Demonstrated text selection in email messages
  • Siena: Showed how to read an email by character, word, and line
  • Liz: Asked how to spell an author’s name from an email
  • Siena: Demonstrated using words in the rotor to navigate to the name, then characters to spell it out letter by letter
• Conclusion
  • The rotor provides efficient ways to interact with emails
  • Character-by-character navigation helps with spelling unfamiliar names or words
  • The actions menu simplifies common email operations

Upcoming Techstravaganza sessions

Discussion about future Techstravaganza workshops.

• Details
  • Siena: Announced another Techstravaganza session on February 12th focusing on JAWS basics
  • Siena: Mentioned that topics are lined up through the end of March
  • Jackie: Suggested FaceTime as a future tutorial topic
  • Siena: Confirmed they haven’t covered FaceTime yet and would add it to the list
• Conclusion
  • A JAWS basics workshop will be held on February 12th from 7-9 PM Eastern
  • Participant suggestions help drive future Techstravaganza topics
  • FaceTime will be added as a future tutorial topic

Text-to-speech voices and technology

A side discussion about various text-to-speech voices and technologies.

• Details
  • Rob: Mentioned using Siri voice for VoiceOver
  • Siena: Discussed using Eloquence voice on her devices
  • Rob: Shared that Susan Bennett is the original voice of Siri
  • Rob: Mentioned differences between RealSpeak Solo and Vocalizer voices
  • Siena: Noted that Vocalizer is available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
• Conclusion
  • Various voice options are available across different platforms
  • Users have personal preferences for different synthetic voices
  • Some voices are available across multiple platforms and screen readers

Check out the List of Future Techstravaganza Topics at the Following Link

(altered), Updated as of Feb 2, 2026, What’s Coming Up on Techstravaganza

Contact the team:

Email

support@techstravaganza.ca

Like us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578990010675

Follow the Show:

On Tunein

http://tun.in/pxXlj

On Apple Podcasts:

On Audible:

https://www.audible.ca/podcast/Techstravaganza/B0FWTHWQG7?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

On iHeart:

On Spotify

https://spotify.link/vVGru9nKBXb

Discussed topics

Mac Finder introduction and basics

Siena provided an overview of the Finder application on Mac computers.

• Details
  • Siena: Explained that Finder is where all file management lives, comparable to the Files app in iOS
  • Siena: Demonstrated how to access Finder using Command-Tab
  • Liz: Asked about creating files on iPad and where they would be stored
  • Siena: Clarified that iPad uses the Files app rather than Finder, and files created in Pages would typically save to iCloud Drive
• Conclusion
  • Finder is the central file management system on Mac
  • The equivalent on iOS/iPadOS is the Files app
  • Files can be accessed across devices when stored in iCloud Drive

Finder keyboard shortcuts

Siena walked through various keyboard shortcuts available in the Finder.

• Details
  • Siena: Demonstrated accessing the menu with VO+M
  • Siena: Covered file operations shortcuts including:
    • Command-F for search
    • Command-N for new Finder window
    • Command-Shift-N for new folder
    • Command-Control-N for new folder with selection
    • Command-O to open files
    • Command-W to close windows
    • Command-I for file info
    • Command-D to duplicate files
  • Siena: Explained navigation shortcuts including:
    • Command-Left bracket to go back
    • Command-Right bracket to go forward
    • Command-Up arrow to go to enclosing folder
    • Command-Shift-F for Recents
    • Command-Shift-O for Documents
    • Command-Shift-D for Desktop
    • Command-Option-L for Downloads
    • Command-Shift-H for Home
    • Command-Shift-C for Computer
• Conclusion
  • Mac offers numerous keyboard shortcuts for efficient Finder navigation
  • VoiceOver users can benefit from list view (Command-2) for easier navigation

File compression and zip files

Siena demonstrated how to compress and decompress files using the Mac’s built-in zip functionality.

• Details
  • Roueida: Asked how file compression works and if it removes content
  • Siena: Explained that compression packages files into a smaller size without removing content
  • Siena: Demonstrated downloading a zip file (OSARA extension) and decompressing it
  • Siena: Showed how to compress a folder of music files using Control-Option-Shift-M to access the context menu
  • Palmer: Asked for clarification about the compression/decompression process
  • Siena: Noted that compression results vary depending on file types
• Conclusion
  • Zip files are useful for sharing multiple files at once or reducing file size
  • The Mac has built-in utilities for compressing and decompressing files
  • Compression doesn’t remove content but packages it more efficiently

Google Drive for cross-platform use

Discussion about using Google Drive for working across Mac and PC platforms.

• Details
  • Ali: Asked if Google Drive can be used in the Finder
  • Siena: Confirmed it works well and recommended it for users working across platforms
  • Palmer: Asked about downloading Google Drive and how files sync between devices
  • Ali: Discussed his workflow with Audio Hijack recordings and Reaper
  • Siena: Explained how Google Drive allows starting work on one computer and finishing on another
• Conclusion
  • Google Drive is recommended for users working across Mac and PC platforms
  • The Google Drive app makes files accessible through Finder/File Explorer
  • There’s a slight delay when syncing files between devices

Customizing the dock

Siena demonstrated how to add items to the dock and rearrange them.

• Details
  • Siena: Showed how to add an application to the dock using Control-Command-Shift-T
  • Siena: Demonstrated using sticky keys to make complex keyboard shortcuts easier
  • Palmer: Asked about the Brave Browser that Siena was adding to the dock
  • Siena: Explained how to move items on the dock using Option+Left/Right Arrow
  • Siena: Showed how to remove items from the dock using the context menu (Control-Option-Shift-M)
• Conclusion
  • Items can be added to the dock with Control-Command-Shift-T
  • Sticky keys can help with complex keyboard shortcuts
  • Items can be rearranged on the dock using Option+Arrow keys
  • Items can be removed from the dock through the context menu

Zoom AI note-taking feature

Brief discussion about the AI feature in Zoom that was active during the meeting.

• Details
  • Roueida: Asked about the “AI is active” notification on her screen
  • Siena: Explained that AI is taking notes during the session
  • Roueida: Asked if it’s possible to turn it off and if it shares content elsewhere
  • Siena: Clarified that the notes only go to hosts and co-hosts
  • Ivy: Asked if anyone can turn on AI and record
  • Ali: Confirmed only hosts and co-hosts have those privileges
• Conclusion
  • Zoom’s AI feature takes notes during meetings
  • Only hosts and co-hosts can access these notes
  • The feature doesn’t share content outside the meeting

Mac vs PC discussion

Participants shared their experiences and preferences regarding Mac and PC systems.

• Details
  • Ali: Mentioned he likes both operating systems but prefers certain aspects of each
  • Siena: Discussed using both platforms and their respective strengths
  • Ali: Noted that Windows screen readers handle text editing better than VoiceOver
  • Palmer: Discussed his experience with laptops and considering a new Mac purchase
  • Ali: Shared his preference for full-size keyboards with numpads for screen reader commands
• Conclusion
  • Both platforms have strengths and weaknesses for accessibility
  • Personal preference plays a significant role in platform choice
  • Hardware considerations (like keyboard preferences) affect user experience

Listen to the Episode of The Ali and Macara Show with Jack Falejczyk at the Following Link

https://thealiandmacarashow.ca/2026/01/23/what-direction-is-voiceover-on-the-mac-heading-in-with-jack-falejczyk-friday-jan-23-2026/

Check Out the Schedule for Upcoming Techstravaganza Workshops at The Following Link

(altered), Updated as of Feb 2, 2026, What’s Coming Up on Techstravaganza

Contact the team:

Email

support@techstravaganza.ca

Like us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578990010675

Follow the Show:

On Tunein

http://tun.in/pxXlj

On Apple Podcasts:

On Audible:

https://www.audible.ca/podcast/Techstravaganza/B0FWTHWQG7?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

On iHeart:

On Spotify

https://spotify.link/vVGru9nKBXb