Testing with Screen Readers

Table of Contents

Overview

All website content and functionality must be fully accessible to screen reader users.

Ensure that user agents, including assistive technologies such as screen readers, can accurately interpret and parse content

It’s important to perform a manual test using a screen reader on your desktop in order to ensure that screen reader users can access all online content and functionality.

All screen readers share similar functionality and capabilities.

However, keyboard shortcuts, voices, and ways of calling out links, images, and so on, vary between them.

Since users will be accustomed to their preferred screen reader’s conventions, these differences don’t typically impact coding practices.

The key is to adhere to accessibility standards and generally-accepted accessibility techniques.

How Screen Readers Work

Screen readers convert digital text into synthesized speech.

They empower users to hear content and navigate with the keyboard.

The technology helps people who are blind or who have low vision to use information technology with the same level of independence and privacy as anyone else.

Screen readers are also used by people with certain cognitive or learning disabilities, or users who simply prefer audio content over text.

Beyond the web, screen readers also work with documents, spreadsheets, and the user’s operating system.

Screen readers read content differently from humans.

The voice may sound somewhat robotic and monotone. Experienced users often like to speed up the reading rate to 300 words per minute or more—well beyond what an inexperienced listener can easily understand. It takes time to get used to a screen reader, but once users become accustomed to it, they can race through content at speeds that awe sighted individuals.

Common Screen Readers

The following are the most common screen reader and browser combinations used among vision impaired users.

1. JAWS (Windows based software. Need to purchase license) + Internet Explorer, Chrome or FF 

2. NVDA (this is a free, open source, Windows based software) + Firefox 

3. VoiceOver (iOS) + Safari

JAWS is not fully compatible with Microsoft Edge.

How to enable VoiceOver on the Mac

Step by step instructions on how to enable VoiceOver on the Mac.

Download NVDA

Download NVDA

JAWS Screen Reader

JAWS screen reader by Freedom Scientific

Assistiv Labs

Test virtually with different screen reader and browser combinations

Screen reader/Browser Stats

Screen reader and browser stats

Mobile Screen Readers

Please see our Mobile Accessibility Guide on how to test with mobile screen readers.