This is only partly true in my opinion.

1. It seems impossible to get anything meaningful out of the Calendar page – even if using the recommended  Agenda view for accessibility. I don’t know if this is the fault of the Tutors but it is pretty baffling to interpret with a screenreader with only unattributed numbers being announced.
2. 2. Ihave never found the Quizzes fully accessible. Check boxes are not announced in the version I have tried show it is impossible to tell what they relate to without sight.
3. I have never on the courses I have been on been able to complete a session evaluation form. There seems no way to focus into an edit box for feedback with a screenreader.
4. Similarly I have never been able to complete an end course evaluation for similar reasons. It seems impossible to focus into edit boxes in able to submit comments.
5. Whilst it is relatively easy to respond to Tutor initiated discussion I have never been able to initiate messages. With the screenreaders I use at least this is an extremely clunky process where you have to assign message receivers from drop down buttons  which seem very hard to manage with a Screenreader. Whilst I can sometimes get into a list containing the names of students and course tutors I have found no way of selecting these so that I can actually send a message.
6. There may be work arounds for all this but I have been using screenreaders since 1999 and I  certainly do not find these parts of the site straightforward or easy.

David G.

Sent fro
m Mail for Windows 10

Hello Paul,

Yes Canvas itself is accessible with JAWS2020. I have not tried it

with JAWS2021 yet so I can't comment there.

On 11/15/20, Paul Faucheux <pf112781@...> wrote:

> hi this is paul faucheux. is canvas accessible with jaws 2020 or 2021. i am

> going to be taking information communications  technology  courses at north

> shore technical community college. i previously went there from january 3

> 2008 to march 21 2011. during that time they used blackboard for course

> materials  and accessing assignments as well as submitting assignments

> please let me know  if it is accessible and if not what should i do or say

> to instructors and people at at the school. i will be taking the classes at

> there hammond louisiana campus. please email  me at pf112781@... or

> call me at 985-370-2072.

> 

> 

>

> 

> 

> 

--

Shai Wolman

Wolman technologies

(619)894-6587

Providing training to children and adults that empowers them to be

productive and successful with their assistive technology/computing

tasks.

atvistech@...

No, it's obvious what FS is trying to do.  They are deliberately making a two-upgrade SMA more expensive for $210 than a two-year license for $180,because they want to gradually migrate all JAWS customers to the licensing arrangement and eliminate the SMA arrangement altogether. Now that JAWS has reached a plateau and few new features can be expected in the future, many JAWS users may simply decide to let their SMA's lapse.  But by gradually switching them to the licensing arrangement, JAWS users will have to renew their licenses annually which would be more profitable for FS in the long run.

Gerald

Boy, that is a jump in price.  That should be for 2 upgrades.
After updating to 2021, I checked and JAWS indicates I have 1 more remaining upgrade.  Should that be reporting correctly or is there something to do to make sure that field in "About" is correct?

Thanks,



John Doering 
Pricing Analyst 
Office: 4147783040 Extn:4063 
Mobile:
445 S Curtis Rd West Allis, WI 53214 
https://ibvi.org
Industries for the Blind & Visually Impaired accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.
-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Bill White
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 11:23 AM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Jaws SMA

Hi, Don. They told me the price of a new SMA after January 1 will be $210.00.

Bill White
billwhite92701@...

-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io [mailto:main@jfw.groups.io] On Behalf Of Don H
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 9:11 AM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Jaws SMA

Well I used my last SMA to upgrade to 2021.  If I remember correctly I purchased my last SMA for $120 two years ago.  Now I am told that the cost will be $150 and that price is only good until Jan 1.  Don't know what the price will be after that.

No, it's obvious what FS is trying to do.  They are deliberately making a two-upgrade SMA more expensive for $210 than a two-year license for $180,because they want to gradually migrate all JAWS customers to the licensing arrangement and eliminate the SMA arrangement altogether. Now that JAWS has reached a plateau and few new features can be expected in the future, many JAWS users may simply decide to let their SMA's lapse.  But by gradually switching them to the licensing arrangement, JAWS users will have to renew their licenses annually which would be more profitable for FS in the long run.

Gerald

Boy, that is a jump in price.  That should be for 2 upgrades.

After updating to 2021, I checked and JAWS indicates I have 1 more remaining upgrade.  Should that be reporting correctly or is there something to do to make sure that field in "About" is correct?

Thanks,

John Doering 

Pricing Analyst 

Office: 4147783040 Extn:4063 

Mobile:

445 S Curtis Rd West Allis, WI 53214 

https://ibvi.org

Industries for the Blind & Visually Impaired accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.

-----Original Message-----

From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Bill White

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 11:23 AM

To: main@jfw.groups.io

Subject: Re: Jaws SMA

Hi, Don. They told me the price of a new SMA after January 1 will be $210.00.

Bill White

billwhite92701@...

-----Original Message-----

From: main@jfw.groups.io [mailto:main@jfw.groups.io] On Behalf Of Don H

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 9:11 AM

To: main@jfw.groups.io

Subject: Jaws SMA

Well I used my last SMA to upgrade to 2021.  If I remember correctly I purchased my last SMA for $120 two years ago.  Now I am told that the cost will be $150 and that price is only good until Jan 1.  Don't know what the price will be after that.

On Nov 16, 2020, at 1:21 PM, Van Lant, Robin via groups.io <Robin_Van_Lant@...> wrote:



But I think those of us with a professional license still need to do the SMA route, isn’t that right?

 

From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Gerald Levy via groups.io
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 11:18 AM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Jaws SMA

 

 

No, it's obvious what FS is trying to do.  They are deliberately making a two-upgrade SMA more expensive for $210 than a two-year license for $180,because they want to gradually migrate all JAWS customers to the licensing arrangement and eliminate the SMA arrangement altogether. Now that JAWS has reached a plateau and few new features can be expected in the future, many JAWS users may simply decide to let their SMA's lapse.  But by gradually switching them to the licensing arrangement, JAWS users will have to renew their licenses annually which would be more profitable for FS in the long run.

 

Gerald

 

 

 

On 11/16/2020 12:33 PM, John Doering wrote:

Boy, that is a jump in price.  That should be for 2 upgrades.

After updating to 2021, I checked and JAWS indicates I have 1 more remaining upgrade.  Should that be reporting correctly or is there something to do to make sure that field in "About" is correct?

Thanks,

John Doering 

Pricing Analyst 

Office: 4147783040 Extn:4063 

Mobile:

445 S Curtis Rd West Allis, WI 53214 

https://ibvi.org

Industries for the Blind & Visually Impaired accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.

-----Original Message-----

From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Bill White

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 11:23 AM

To: main@jfw.groups.io

Subject: Re: Jaws SMA

Hi, Don. They told me the price of a new SMA after January 1 will be $210.00.

Bill White

billwhite92701@...

-----Original Message-----

From: main@jfw.groups.io [mailto:main@jfw.groups.io] On Behalf Of Don H

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 9:11 AM

To: main@jfw.groups.io

Subject: Jaws SMA

Well I used my last SMA to upgrade to 2021.  If I remember correctly I purchased my last SMA for $120 two years ago.  Now I am told that the cost will be $150 and that price is only good until Jan 1.  Don't know what the price will be after that.

This communication may contain privileged and/or confidential information. It is intended solely for the use of the addressee. No confidentiality or privilege is waived or lost as a result of any transmission errors. If you are not the intended recipient, you are strictly prohibited from disclosing, copying, distributing or using any of this information. If you have received this communication in error, please contact the sender immediately and destroy the material in its entirety, whether electronic or hard copy.

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The sender of this communication is a licensed securities representative employed by or associated with KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC and may also represent KeyBank National Association (“KeyBank N.A.”). Securities products and services are offered by KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. Banking products and services are offered by KeyBank N.A.

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If you prefer not to receive future e-mail offers for products or services from Key send an e-mail to DNERequests@... with 'No Promotional E-mails' in the SUBJECT line.

No, it's obvious what FS is trying to do.  They are deliberately making a two-upgrade SMA more expensive for $210 than a two-year license for $180,because they want to gradually migrate all JAWS customers to the licensing arrangement and eliminate the SMA arrangement altogether. Now that JAWS has reached a plateau and few new features can be expected in the future, many JAWS users may simply decide to let their SMA's lapse.  But by gradually switching them to the licensing arrangement, JAWS users will have to renew their licenses annually which would be more profitable for FS in the long run.

Gerald

Boy, that is a jump in price.  That should be for 2 upgrades.

After updating to 2021, I checked and JAWS indicates I have 1 more remaining upgrade.  Should that be reporting correctly or is there something to do to make sure that field in "About" is correct?

Thanks,

John Doering 

Pricing Analyst 

Office: 4147783040 Extn:4063 

Mobile:

445 S Curtis Rd West Allis, WI 53214 

https://ibvi.org

Industries for the Blind & Visually Impaired accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.

-----Original Message-----

From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Bill White

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 11:23 AM

To: main@jfw.groups.io

Subject: Re: Jaws SMA

Hi, Don. They told me the price of a new SMA after January 1 will be $210.00.

Bill White

billwhite92701@...

-----Original Message-----

From: main@jfw.groups.io [mailto:main@jfw.groups.io] On Behalf Of Don H

Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 9:11 AM

To: main@jfw.groups.io

Subject: Jaws SMA

Well I used my last SMA to upgrade to 2021.  If I remember correctly I purchased my last SMA for $120 two years ago.  Now I am told that the cost will be $150 and that price is only good until Jan 1.  Don't know what the price will be after that.

Boy, that is a jump in price.  That should be for 2 upgrades.
After updating to 2021, I checked and JAWS indicates I have 1 more remaining upgrade.  Should that be reporting correctly or is there something to do to make sure that field in "About" is correct?

Thanks,



John Doering 
Pricing Analyst 
Office: 4147783040 Extn:4063 
Mobile:
445 S Curtis Rd West Allis, WI 53214 
https://ibvi.org
Industries for the Blind & Visually Impaired accepts no liability for the content of this email, or for the consequences of any actions taken on the basis of the information provided, unless that information is subsequently confirmed in writing. If you are not the intended recipient, you are notified that disclosing, copying, distributing or taking any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.
-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Bill White
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 11:23 AM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: Jaws SMA

Hi, Don. They told me the price of a new SMA after January 1 will be $210.00.

Bill White
billwhite92701@...

-----Original Message-----
From: main@jfw.groups.io [mailto:main@jfw.groups.io] On Behalf Of Don H
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 9:11 AM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Jaws SMA

Well I used my last SMA to upgrade to 2021.  If I remember correctly I purchased my last SMA for $120 two years ago.  Now I am told that the cost will be $150 and that price is only good until Jan 1.  Don't know what the price will be after that.

Maybe you can copy and paste it to a fresh notepad document to give you
a chance to read it so you know what it says.

Justin


From: main@jfw.groups.io [mailto:main@jfw.groups.io] On Behalf Of
Cynthia Bruce
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 12:28 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: form fields in word

Hi Brian,

These are forms my students have completed. I tried the key commands
you listed, but nothing seems to happen.

From: <mailto:main@jfw.groups.io>main@jfw.groups.io
<<mailto:main@jfw.groups.io>main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Brian
Vogel
Sent: November 16, 2020 1:14 PM
To: <mailto:main@jfw.groups.io>main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: form fields in word

Cynthia,

Are you being tasked with looking at forms that others have
already filled out? If so, you might want to consider converting the
whole form to "straight MS-Word document" format, even if just for the
purpose of reading, and not saving the result if it must remain as a
fillable form. If it does not need to remain that way after you've
received it for processing, and you may need to refer to it later, I'd
save the "converted to normal MS-Word document" version for filing
purposes.

When dealing with fillable Word forms as the person
filling them out, unless you have your screen reader echoing
character-by-character as you type, you will hear nothing as you fill
out a form field. This is a quirk of how these are processed by Word.
You've got to complete the filling in, tab to the next
field/checkbox/whatever, then Shift+TAB back to get your text that you
filled in read.

----------------------------------
What follows presumes the designer of the fillable form did what they
should have and imposed editing restrictions such that the original
recipient was only able to traverse the fillable parts and interact
with them. Also that they did not password protect these settings as
well, otherwise you'd have to know the password to complete the removal
of editing restrictions.

Unprotecting All Word Form Fields and Converting Them to Regular Text

1. You must first remove the restricted editing settings that
allow you only to fill out the form

a. Activate the Developer Tab, Restrict Editing. ALT+L,PE

b. Activate the Stop Protection button, which is the only
button. Just Hit Enter

c. Close the Restrict Editing pane. CTRL+Spacebar,C

2. Select all content in the document. CTRL+A

3. Issue the command to convert all form fields to regular
Word text. CTRL+SHIFT+F9

At this point all form fields will be straight text like the rest of
the document, and can be edited just as you usually would. You cannot
reverse this action, so be certain you have filled out anything that
needs to have been filled out before going through the above steps.
--

Brian - Windows 10 Pro, 64-Bit, Version 2004, Build 19041

The purpose of education is not to validate ignorance but to overcome it.
~ Lawrence Krauss

Maybe you can copy and paste it to a fresh notepad document to give you
a chance to read it so you know what it says.

Justin


From: main@jfw.groups.io [mailto:main@jfw.groups.io] On Behalf Of
Cynthia Bruce
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 12:28 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: form fields in word

Hi Brian,

These are forms my students have completed. I tried the key commands
you listed, but nothing seems to happen.

From: <mailto:main@jfw.groups.io>main@jfw.groups.io
<<mailto:main@jfw.groups.io>main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Brian
Vogel
Sent: November 16, 2020 1:14 PM
To: <mailto:main@jfw.groups.io>main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: form fields in word

Cynthia,

Are you being tasked with looking at forms that others have
already filled out? If so, you might want to consider converting the
whole form to "straight MS-Word document" format, even if just for the
purpose of reading, and not saving the result if it must remain as a
fillable form. If it does not need to remain that way after you've
received it for processing, and you may need to refer to it later, I'd
save the "converted to normal MS-Word document" version for filing
purposes.

When dealing with fillable Word forms as the person
filling them out, unless you have your screen reader echoing
character-by-character as you type, you will hear nothing as you fill
out a form field. This is a quirk of how these are processed by Word.
You've got to complete the filling in, tab to the next
field/checkbox/whatever, then Shift+TAB back to get your text that you
filled in read.

----------------------------------
What follows presumes the designer of the fillable form did what they
should have and imposed editing restrictions such that the original
recipient was only able to traverse the fillable parts and interact
with them. Also that they did not password protect these settings as
well, otherwise you'd have to know the password to complete the removal
of editing restrictions.

Unprotecting All Word Form Fields and Converting Them to Regular Text

1. You must first remove the restricted editing settings that
allow you only to fill out the form

a. Activate the Developer Tab, Restrict Editing. ALT+L,PE

b. Activate the Stop Protection button, which is the only
button. Just Hit Enter

c. Close the Restrict Editing pane. CTRL+Spacebar,C

2. Select all content in the document. CTRL+A

3. Issue the command to convert all form fields to regular
Word text. CTRL+SHIFT+F9

At this point all form fields will be straight text like the rest of
the document, and can be edited just as you usually would. You cannot
reverse this action, so be certain you have filled out anything that
needs to have been filled out before going through the above steps.
--

Brian - Windows 10 Pro, 64-Bit, Version 2004, Build 19041

The purpose of education is not to validate ignorance but to overcome it.
~ Lawrence Krauss

Maybe you can copy and paste it to a fresh notepad document to give you a chance to read it so you know what it says.

Justin


From: main@jfw.groups.io [mailto:main@jfw.groups.io] On Behalf Of Cynthia Bruce
Sent: Monday, November 16, 2020 12:28 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: form fields in word

Hi Brian,

These are forms my students have completed. I tried the key commands you listed, but nothing seems to happen.

From: <mailto:main@jfw.groups.io>main@jfw.groups.io <<mailto:main@jfw.groups.io>main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Brian Vogel
Sent: November 16, 2020 1:14 PM
To: <mailto:main@jfw.groups.io>main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: form fields in word

Cynthia,

Are you being tasked with looking at forms that others have already filled out? If so, you might want to consider converting the whole form to "straight MS-Word document" format, even if just for the purpose of reading, and not saving the result if it must remain as a fillable form. If it does not need to remain that way after you've received it for processing, and you may need to refer to it later, I'd save the "converted to normal MS-Word document" version for filing purposes.

When dealing with fillable Word forms as the person filling them out, unless you have your screen reader echoing character-by-character as you type, you will hear nothing as you fill out a form field. This is a quirk of how these are processed by Word. You've got to complete the filling in, tab to the next field/checkbox/whatever, then Shift+TAB back to get your text that you filled in read.

----------------------------------
What follows presumes the designer of the fillable form did what they should have and imposed editing restrictions such that the original recipient was only able to traverse the fillable parts and interact with them. Also that they did not password protect these settings as well, otherwise you'd have to know the password to complete the removal of editing restrictions.

Unprotecting All Word Form Fields and Converting Them to Regular Text

1. You must first remove the restricted editing settings that allow you only to fill out the form

a. Activate the Developer Tab, Restrict Editing. ALT+L,PE

b. Activate the Stop Protection button, which is the only button. Just Hit Enter

c. Close the Restrict Editing pane. CTRL+Spacebar,C

2. Select all content in the document. CTRL+A

3. Issue the command to convert all form fields to regular Word text. CTRL+SHIFT+F9

At this point all form fields will be straight text like the rest of the document, and can be edited just as you usually would. You cannot reverse this action, so be certain you have filled out anything that needs to have been filled out before going through the above steps.
--

Brian - Windows 10 Pro, 64-Bit, Version 2004, Build 19041

The purpose of education is not to validate ignorance but to overcome it.
~ Lawrence Krauss

Hi Brian,

These are forms my students have completed. I tried the key commands you listed, but nothing seems to happen.

From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Brian Vogel
Sent: November 16, 2020 1:14 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: form fields in word

Cynthia,

           Are you being tasked with looking at forms that others have already filled out?  If so, you might want to consider converting the whole form to "straight MS-Word document" format, even if just for the purpose of reading, and not saving the result if it must remain as a fillable form.  If it does not need to remain that way after you've received it for processing, and you may need to refer to it later, I'd save the "converted to normal MS-Word document" version for filing purposes.

            When dealing with fillable Word forms as the person filling them out, unless you have your screen reader echoing character-by-character as you type, you will hear nothing as you fill out a form field.  This is a quirk of how these are processed by Word.  You've got to complete the filling in, tab to the next field/checkbox/whatever, then Shift+TAB back to get your text that you filled in read.

----------------------------------
What follows presumes the designer of the fillable form did what they should have and imposed editing restrictions such that the original recipient was only able to traverse the fillable parts and interact with them.  Also that they did not password protect these settings as well, otherwise you'd have to know the password to complete the removal of editing restrictions.

Unprotecting All Word Form Fields and Converting Them to Regular Text

1.       You must first remove the restricted editing settings that allow you only to fill out the form

a.       Activate the Developer Tab, Restrict Editing.  ALT+L,PE

b.       Activate the Stop Protection button, which is the only button.  Just Hit Enter

c.       Close the Restrict Editing pane.  CTRL+Spacebar,C

2.       Select all content in the document.  CTRL+A

3.       Issue the command to convert all form fields to regular Word text.  CTRL+SHIFT+F9

At this point all form fields will be straight text like the rest of the document, and can be edited just as you usually would.  You cannot reverse this action, so be certain you have filled out anything that needs to have been filled out before going through the above steps.

--

Brian - Windows 10 Pro, 64-Bit, Version 2004, Build 19041  

The purpose of education is not to validate ignorance but to overcome it.
       ~ Lawrence Krauss

Hi Brian,

These are forms my students have completed. I tried the key commands you listed, but nothing seems to happen.

From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Brian Vogel
Sent: November 16, 2020 1:14 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: form fields in word

Cynthia,

           Are you being tasked with looking at forms that others have already filled out?  If so, you might want to consider converting the whole form to "straight MS-Word document" format, even if just for the purpose of reading, and not saving the result if it must remain as a fillable form.  If it does not need to remain that way after you've received it for processing, and you may need to refer to it later, I'd save the "converted to normal MS-Word document" version for filing purposes.

            When dealing with fillable Word forms as the person filling them out, unless you have your screen reader echoing character-by-character as you type, you will hear nothing as you fill out a form field.  This is a quirk of how these are processed by Word.  You've got to complete the filling in, tab to the next field/checkbox/whatever, then Shift+TAB back to get your text that you filled in read.

----------------------------------
What follows presumes the designer of the fillable form did what they should have and imposed editing restrictions such that the original recipient was only able to traverse the fillable parts and interact with them.  Also that they did not password protect these settings as well, otherwise you'd have to know the password to complete the removal of editing restrictions.

Unprotecting All Word Form Fields and Converting Them to Regular Text

1.       You must first remove the restricted editing settings that allow you only to fill out the form

a.       Activate the Developer Tab, Restrict Editing.  ALT+L,PE

b.       Activate the Stop Protection button, which is the only button.  Just Hit Enter

c.       Close the Restrict Editing pane.  CTRL+Spacebar,C

2.       Select all content in the document.  CTRL+A

3.       Issue the command to convert all form fields to regular Word text.  CTRL+SHIFT+F9

At this point all form fields will be straight text like the rest of the document, and can be edited just as you usually would.  You cannot reverse this action, so be certain you have filled out anything that needs to have been filled out before going through the above steps.

--

Brian - Windows 10 Pro, 64-Bit, Version 2004, Build 19041  

The purpose of education is not to validate ignorance but to overcome it.
       ~ Lawrence Krauss

From: main@jfw.groups.io <main@jfw.groups.io> On Behalf Of Brian Vogel
Sent: November 16, 2020 1:14 PM
To: main@jfw.groups.io
Subject: Re: form fields in word

Cynthia,

           Are you being tasked with looking at forms that others have already filled out?  If so, you might want to consider converting the whole form to "straight MS-Word document" format, even if just for the purpose of reading, and not saving the result if it must remain as a fillable form.  If it does not need to remain that way after you've received it for processing, and you may need to refer to it later, I'd save the "converted to normal MS-Word document" version for filing purposes.

            When dealing with fillable Word forms as the person filling them out, unless you have your screen reader echoing character-by-character as you type, you will hear nothing as you fill out a form field.  This is a quirk of how these are processed by Word.  You've got to complete the filling in, tab to the next field/checkbox/whatever, then Shift+TAB back to get your text that you filled in read.

----------------------------------
What follows presumes the designer of the fillable form did what they should have and imposed editing restrictions such that the original recipient was only able to traverse the fillable parts and interact with them.  Also that they did not password protect these settings as well, otherwise you'd have to know the password to complete the removal of editing restrictions.

Unprotecting All Word Form Fields and Converting Them to Regular Text

1.       You must first remove the restricted editing settings that allow you only to fill out the form

a.       Activate the Developer Tab, Restrict Editing.  ALT+L,PE

b.       Activate the Stop Protection button, which is the only button.  Just Hit Enter

c.       Close the Restrict Editing pane.  CTRL+Spacebar,C

2.       Select all content in the document.  CTRL+A

3.       Issue the command to convert all form fields to regular Word text.  CTRL+SHIFT+F9

At this point all form fields will be straight text like the rest of the document, and can be edited just as you usually would.  You cannot reverse this action, so be certain you have filled out anything that needs to have been filled out before going through the above steps.

--

Brian - Windows 10 Pro, 64-Bit, Version 2004, Build 19041  

The purpose of education is not to validate ignorance but to overcome it.
       ~ Lawrence Krauss