Hi Duane,
Here is what you will need to use Google Sheets.  Unfortunately, this will involve several steps and you may need help with each one.  First I recommend NVDA as it will work better with Google products than oldver versions of JAWS.  NVDA is adequate for most computer tasks you would need to do.  Many of the commands are the same as JAWS.
Here's what else you will need to do.  If you don't have a Google account, get one.  Install the Chrome browwser and enable screenreader support for your  Google account.  I can't remember the commands but there is documentation on the Google site.  Once you have Chrome installed and screenreader support enabled, you will need to check with the school to see if the spreadedeet they gave you has been shared for edit.  You would have to give them your e-mail address.  To use Google Sheets, open the Google Chrome and make sure you are logged into your Google account.  Open the link to the document.  I hope they gave  you a link.  Once you are in Google Sheets, it will work like Excel.  Currently there is an issue where a screenreader may read text twice when you use the up or down arrows.  I know I've thrown a lot of information at you.  Before you do anything, get lists of commands on the Google website.

Your other alternative would be to get a Chrome book, or use the one your children have.  I don't know how to use Chromevox but there are probably resources.  I don't know if Google Classroom is accessible.  Again I'm sorry I threw a lot of information at you. If you have an iPhone, you can do some of the setup with your phone.  You can even install the Google Sheets and Chrome apps.  The only limitation is that Google Sheets on the iPhone will only let you view the first 3 columns i don't see the point of using it.  I hope this information helps.  You may need to walk through some of the steps with someone by phone.  Unfortunately, Google doesn't have direct phone support.  You will have to send an e-mail to their disability support desk.

I hope I haven't thoroughly confused you. Byq the way, I would encourage you not to use Internet Explorer for anything.  It is a dead browser and some new Windows applications won't work with it.  You are better off with either Firefox or Chrome.

Dan

Sent from my iPhone

> On Sep 24, 2018, at 4:57 PM, Brian Sargee <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> 
> Hi Duane,
> 
> Can you help them with their assignments using Chromevox on either of their Chromebooks? Chromevox is a pretty decent screen reader. If you’re more comfortable with JAWS and Windows, you can always easily convert Google Docs, sheets, or slides to MS Office equivalents under the file menu in Chrome.
> 
> Brian Sargee
> 
>> On Sep 24, 2018, at 9:51 AM, Duane Farrar <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi All,
>> 
>> My two children are now in middle school and I am one overwhelmed blind parent, just so you know where I'm coming from!
>> 
>> I am currently using a Windows 7 desktop PC (I was unable to upgrade it to Windows 10 for reasons never fully explained by the Windows 10 upgrade installation program.) I am using JAWS version 17. Unfortunately, I let my most recent SMA lapse and now the web site says it will cost me $750 to upgrade to the newest version of JAWS and renew my SMA. I use Internet Explorer as my browser.
>> 
>> Yesterday, I did purchase a new Windows 10 laptop that is still in the box and I'll have to decide whether to upgrade JAWS or switch to NVDA. (BTW, will I be able to boot up my new laptop using Narrator without any sighted assistance? Any tips on that would also be welcome in a separate message.)
>> 
>> That all said...
>> 
>> The school my children attend uses Google Classroom for their classwork and homework assignments, although it is not fully implemented yet. (While in school, each child has the use of a Chrome Book computer.) I was given the link to a temporary Google Sheets spreadsheet document for their weekly and future homework assignments. I pulled up the document in my IE browser but found it practically impossible to navigate using any familiar JAWS keystrokes so I could not make any coherent sense of the document. In addition, my JAWS software spontaneously unloaded and reloaded itself a couple of times while I was trying to access this Google spreadsheet document.
>> 
>> For both my Windows 7 desktop and Windows 10 laptop, which combination of screen reader and browser programs would be the best for accessing Google Classroom and Google Docs? Any advice on how to navigate these Google products  is greatly appreciated. I expect I am facing some steep learning curves in the near future.
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Duane Farrar
>> 
>> 
>>  VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
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> 
>    VICUG-L is the Visually Impaired Computer User Group List.
> Archived on the World Wide Web at
>    http://listserv.icors.org/archives/vicug-l.html
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>    Subscribe: [log in to unmask]


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