Firefox Extended Support Release now requires JAWS 2018 or newer
Jonathan MosenSeptember 10, 20180
Firefox has now reached a stage in its evolution where it is necessary for JAWS
users to be either running JAWS 2018 or later or switch to an alternative
browser.
If you’ve been reading our blog for some time, you’ll recall that we’ve kept
you informedregarding our close collaboration with Mozilla with respect to
Firefox Quantum. To briefly recap, Quantum is the new technology present in
versions of Mozilla’s Firefox browser starting with version 60.
Quantum uses a multi-process methodology, which means it’s super-fast. However,
it required major changes to the way all screen readers obtain information from
Firefox. Engineers from Freedom Scientific and Mozilla have diligently worked
their magic, and we’re pleased with the interaction between our technologies.
Either out of an abundance of caution or because of organizational
requirements, some users have chosen to remain on the extended service release
(ESR) of Firefox, which until last week was version 52.0. That was a version
that predated all the quantum changes. Since Quantum is now a mature product
and Firefox continues to add security enhancements to keep its users safe,
Firefox 52 has been replaced as the ESR release by version 60.2.0, which uses
Quantum technology.
If you are running the current version of JAWS, JAWS 2018, then you will be
able to use the new ESR release, although there are advantages in skipping
ahead to the current Firefox version, 62, which includes some performance
improvements when used with JAWS.
If you are not running JAWS 2018 or later, and are thus using older technology
(version 18, 17, etc.) developed before the new Firefox versions, then it’s
necessary either to upgrade JAWS to the current version or switch to an
alternative browser.
This Firefox situation is just one example of how quickly the world of
technology can change. Our engineers are constantly working to ensure that JAWS
is compatible with the latest software releases, including updates to Office,
Google apps, the entire Windows operating system and more. An investment in
keeping your SMA current is an investment in being as productive as possible
through having access to current technology, plus quality support for using
JAWS with that technology.
If upgrading your JAWS version is not an option, you might consider using
Google Chrome as an alternative, standards-compliant browser.
Our thanks once again to Mozilla for working with us to deliver a great Firefox
Quantum experience.
--
David Goldfield, Assistive Technology Specialist
WWW.David-Goldfield.Com<http://WWW.David-Goldfield.Com>