Lori,

In this case, just knowing it's an HP is enough, since I have 4 HP laptops in my household (3 different models).  Unless they've changed something radically, which I doubt, this is a settings change that requires getting into UEFI/BIOS.  And since there is no screen reader assistance on any machine until the operating system itself has loaded and applications can be launched.

The HP support page, HP Notebook PCs - How to lock or unlock the fn (function) key, gives detailed information on turning the hotkeys/action keys functionality off (or back on again) via UEFI/BIOS for the various HP laptop model ranges.
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Brian - Windows 10, 64-Bit, Version 21H2, Build 19044  

Here is a test to find out whether your mission in life is complete.  If you’re alive, it isn’t.
     ~ Lauren Bacall