[
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "Using%20JAWS%2C%20is%20there%20a%20way%20to%20ensure%20I%20can%20edit%20documents%20like%20you%20would%20with%20Track%20Changes%20in%20Word%20but%20with%20a%20Googledoc%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "Yes \u2014 you *can* use JAWS with Google Docs in a way that closely mimics Word\u2019s \u201cTrack Changes\u201d behavior by using **Suggesting mode** in Google Docs. Below is a guide on how to set that up, what you should be aware of, and how JAWS will interact with suggestions and changes.\n\n---\n\n### What is Suggesting Mode\n\n- **Suggesting mode** in Google Docs works like Track Changes in Word. Edits you make don\u2019t directly change the original text; instead:\n  - *Additions* show up in a different color.\n  - *Deletions* are crossed out.\n  - Each suggestion shows who made it, and suggestions can be accepted or rejected by someone with permission. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6033474?hl=en-0&utm_source=openai))  \n- If you import a Word document with tracked changes, they become suggestions in Google Docs, and vice versa when exporting. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6033474?hl=en-0&utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### Enabling and Using Suggesting Mode (with JAWS)\n\nHere\u2019s how you can set things up so JAWS can work with suggestions, and what modes or settings help.\n\n1. **Turn on Screen Reader Support in Google Docs**  \n   - In a Chrome browser: Go to *Tools* \u2192 *Accessibility settings* and enable *\u201cTurn on screen reader support.\u201d*  \n   - Shortcut on Windows: `Ctrl + Alt + Z` ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6282736?hl=en-en-4&utm_source=openai))\n\n2. **Disable JAWS\u2019 Virtual PC Cursor**  \n   - In JAWS, you\u2019ll want the *virtual PC cursor* turned **off** to ensure smoother text editing.  \n   - You can toggle this with `JAWS + Z` until it reads \u201cUse virtual PC cursor off.\u201d ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6282736?hl=en-en-4&utm_source=openai))\n\n3. **Switch to Suggesting Mode**  \n   - At the top right of a Google Doc, click the pencil icon and select \u201cSuggesting.\u201d  \n   - If you don\u2019t see it, you may need to change your permissions (you need to be an **Editor** or **Commenter**) or request access. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6033474?hl=en-0&utm_source=openai))\n\n4. **Editing and Making Suggestions**  \n   - Once in Suggesting mode, any insertion, deletion, or replacement you make is marked as a suggestion.  \n   - JAWS will:\n     - Announce when text is inserted (\u201cinserted text \u2026\u201d) and when text is deleted (something like \u201cdeleted \u2026 crossed out\u201d) ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6239410?hl=en-en&utm_source=openai))\n     - Note the presence of suggestions and which user made them.  \n     - Show suggestions in the margin, and you can navigate to them via keyboard and accept or reject. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6033474?hl=en-0&utm_source=openai))\n\n5. **Reviewing Suggestions**  \n   - To accept or reject individual suggestions: navigate to the suggestion and use the on-screen controls (or keyboard equivalents) to accept or reject.  \n   - To accept or reject *all* suggestions at once: go to *Tools \u2192 Review suggested edits* and choose **Accept all** or **Reject all**. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6033474?hl=en-0&utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### What to Verify / Be Mindful Of\n\n- **Make sure your Google Docs mode is really on Suggesting**, not Editing. If it\u2019s set to Editing, changes are applied directly, so JAWS won\u2019t treat them as suggestions.  \n- **Permissions matter**: If you're only a Viewer, you can't suggest changes. If you're a Commenter or Editor, you can suggest.  \n- **JAWS settings**: Sometimes people enable *browse mode*, which isn\u2019t ideal for editing. You should use focus mode / editing mode. Disabling the virtual PC cursor helps ensure keystrokes go to the document rather than locked in cursor behavior. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6282736?hl=en-en-4&utm_source=openai))  \n- **Navigating suggestions** may require getting used to keyboard navigation \u2014 suggestions appear in the margin, popups, etc., and you\u2019ll need to use keyboard shortcuts to move focus among them.  \n- **Revision history**: Google Docs keeps a version history. If something goes wrong or you want a clean slate, you can always go back and restore a past version. ([deckoholic.ai](https://www.deckoholic.ai/tutorials/google-docs/track-changes?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\nIf you like, I can walk you through *specifically* which JAWS key commands will help you accept, reject, navigate suggestions, etc., tailored to your workflow. Do you want me to send those?"
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "I%27m%20using%20JAWS!%20What%20is%20the%20pencil%20icon%3F"
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "The pencil icon in Google Docs represents the *current editing mode*, and it\u2019s how you switch between different modes: Editing, Suggesting, and Viewing. ([spreadsheetpoint.com](https://spreadsheetpoint.com/how-to-track-changes-in-google-docs/?utm_source=openai))\n\nHere\u2019s a breakdown of what that pencil icon means and how to use it:\n\n---\n\n### What the Pencil Icon Shows\n\n- When you see a **plain pencil icon**, you\u2019re in **Editing mode**. Any changes you make are applied directly. ([pcworld.com](https://www.pcworld.com/article/606677/how-to-track-changes-in-google-docs.html?utm_source=openai))  \n- The dropdown with the pencil icon lets you change modes. The modes are:\n  - **Editing** \u2014 full editing access. Edits immediately applied. ([deckoholic.ai](https://www.deckoholic.ai/tutorials/google-docs/track-changes?utm_source=openai))  \n  - **Suggesting** \u2014 changes are proposed as suggestions (like Word\u2019s Track Changes) that others can accept or reject. ([deckoholic.ai](https://www.deckoholic.ai/tutorials/google-docs/track-changes?utm_source=openai))  \n  - **Viewing** \u2014 the document is read-only; you can\u2019t make changes. ([pcworld.com](https://www.pcworld.com/article/606677/how-to-track-changes-in-google-docs.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\n### How to Switch Modes (Using the Pencil Icon)\n\n1. Locate the pencil icon at the **top-right corner** of the Google Docs toolbar, usually under the Share button. ([pcworld.com](https://www.pcworld.com/article/606677/how-to-track-changes-in-google-docs.html?utm_source=openai))  \n2. Click the pencil icon (or the word next to it, which might say \"Editing\", \"Suggesting\", or \"Viewing\"). A dropdown will appear. ([umatechnology.org](https://umatechnology.org/how-to-track-changes-in-google-docs-on-pc-and-mobile-app/?utm_source=openai))  \n3. Select the mode you want:\n   - To turn on suggestions: choose *Suggesting*.\n   - To go back to making direct edits: choose *Editing*.  \n   - To prevent any edits: choose *Viewing*. ([customguide.com](https://www.customguide.com/course/google-docs/track-changes-in-google-docs?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n### What JAWS Needs to Know\n\n- If you\u2019re in *Editing* mode, JAWS will assume changes are direct. For the Track-Changes-like behavior (suggestions), you need to be in *Suggesting* mode.\n- The pencil icon, or a description read by JAWS, should indicate your current mode (\u201cEditing mode,\u201d \u201cSuggesting mode,\u201d \u201cViewing mode\u201d).\n- If you\u2019re a *Commenter*, you\u2019ll automatically be in Suggesting mode when opening the document. If you're an *Editor*, you need to switch modes yourself via the pencil icon. ([computerworld.com](https://www.computerworld.com/article/1723650/google-docs-cheat-sheet-how-to-get-started.html?utm_source=openai))\n\n---\n\nIf you want, I can give you info on what JAWS specifically says about that icon (what its label is, how it announces the mode) so you\u2019ll know exactly what to listen for."
    },
    {
        "role": "user",
        "content": "No%2C%20you%20are%20being%20stupid!%20How%20would%20JAWS%20describe%20the%20pencil%20icon%3F%20I%20can%27t%20see%20the%20pencil."
    },
    {
        "role": "assistant",
        "content": "I couldn\u2019t find an official source that documents *exactly* what JAWS says when the pencil icon is focused in Google Docs. But here\u2019s what I learned from the most relevant information\u2014what JAWS *ought* to announce, based on how Google Docs is structured with screen-reader support, and what you can try to hear it say:\n\n---\n\n### What Google Docs Provides for Screen Readers\n\n- Google Docs has a built-in \u201cscreen reader support\u201d feature (Tools \u2192 Accessibility \u2192 Turn on screen reader support) that enables many announcements including when you change modes. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6239410?hl=en-AU&utm_source=openai))  \n- In \u201cSuggesting\u201d mode, text insertions are announced as *\u201cinserted\u201d*, deletions as *\u201cdeleted\u201d*, along with the author of the suggestion. ([support.google.com](https://support.google.com/docs/answer/6239410?hl=en-AU&utm_source=openai))  \n- JAWS has updates where it **\u201cindicates when you move in and out of text in Google Docs that is marked as a suggestion.\u201d** ([support.freedomscientific.com](https://support.freedomscientific.com/downloads/jaws/PreviousFeatures?version=2021&utm_source=openai))  \n\nSo JAWS definitely gives useful feedback about mode-related changes and the effects of being in one mode or another on how edits are treated.\n\n---\n\n### What the Pencil Icon Means (as Described)\n\nFrom Google Docs documentation:\n\n- The pencil icon (often next to \u201cEditing\u201d) is part of the mode selector. ([pcworld.com](https://www.pcworld.com/article/606677/how-to-track-changes-in-google-docs.html?utm_source=openai))  \n- It reflects the *current editing mode*: Editing, Suggesting, or Viewing. ([pcworld.com](https://www.pcworld.com/article/606677/how-to-track-changes-in-google-docs.html?utm_source=openai))  \n\n---\n\n### What JAWS *Likely* Reads (What to Listen For)\n\nBased on standard behavior of JAWS combined with Google Docs\u2019 accessibility features, when you navigate to the pencil icon/or mode dropdown, JAWS should say something like:\n\n- \u201cEditing mode. Menu.\u201d\n- Or \u201cMode button. Editing mode selected.\u201d\n- If you open the dropdown, \u201cSuggesting mode menu item,\u201d \u201cViewing mode menu item.\u201d\n- If you change to Suggesting mode, something like \u201cSuggesting mode selected.\u201d\n\nIt may include the word \u201cpencil\u201d (e.g. \u201cPencil icon, Editing mode\u201d) or an equivalent description. JAWS tends to announce the label (which is the mode name) and the nature of the control (\u201cmenu button,\u201d etc.).\n\n---\n\n### What You Can Do to Hear Exactly What JAWS Says\n\nTry these steps with JAWS on:\n\n1. **Turn on screen reader support in Google Docs** (Tools \u2192 Accessibility).  \n2. Use the **Tab key** repeatedly to move through the toolbar and headers until focus lands around the top right where the Share button / Avatar / icon area is.  \n3. Listen for a phrase that includes \u201cEditing,\u201d \u201cSuggesting,\u201d or \u201cViewing\u201d \u2014 those are mode names.  \n4. Once you find it, press Enter or Space to open the mode dropdown. Then use arrow keys to navigate the items. JAWS may announce the name for each item as you land on it.  \n\n---\n\nIf you want, I could simulate what JAWS *I believe* would say (based on my understanding of screen reader patterns and Google Docs) so you know what to listen for. Do you want me to write out that example?"
    }
]