Accessibility 101: Exploring Screen Readers
Screen readers. What are they, and what exactly do they do? Together let’s go on a journey and figure this out.
Screen readers are software programs that help blind or visually impaired individuals to read text on their computer screens, tablets, and mobile devices. However, screen readers may also be used by individuals that may not have time to read text, may speak a foreign language, or may have a reading disability.
For example, someone with dyslexia can benefit greatly from using a screen reader. The International Dyslexia Association uses a software called Browsealoud. We will explore all of the cool functions this software has to offer after we learn more about how screen readers work.
Researching Screen Readers
Researchers at Towson University set out to explore how website accessibility can be an issue for individuals with disabilities. During the study, 100 blind participants were examined.
84 participants used the JAWS screen reader, 12 participants used the Window-Eyes screen reader, and the remaining participants used other screen readers. As of today, Window-Eyes has been discontinued. The screen reader software has now migrated to JAWS.
The scientists used diaries to record user experiences. A frustration scale was used to determine a participant’s level of frustration. The scale ranged from 1 – not very frustrating to 9 – very frustrating. The average score was 7. Overall, 308 frustrating experiences were recorded.
The following frustrations were discovered:
- Confusing page layouts
- Conflict between screen readers and applications
- Forms that were poorly designed or unlabeled
- Pictures not having alt text
- Misleading links
- Inaccessible documents such as PDFs
- Websites causing screen readers to crash
According to the results of the study, “users reported losing, on average, 30.4% of time due to these frustrating situations” (Lazar, Allen, Kleinman, & Malarkey). For more information about frustration on the web, check out the infographic below.
Researchers concluded that these frustrations can be avoided. In fact, they claim that these website improvements are very easy to implement. For example, “Things such as clearer wording on forms, alt text, frame names, and links would go a long way to improving the user experience.” (Lazar, Allen, Kleinman, & Malarkey).
With knowledge comes power! The best thing that website developers can do is to learn more about website accessibility. Their goal should be to discover ways to incorporate and improve it on their website. This can be accomplished by taking the time to learn how to use screen readers or by performing usability testing.
How Do Screen Readers Work?
By sending commands via a keyboard or a braille display, an individual can control how a screen reader navigates and speaks. Many screen readers try to have a human-like voice reading the content. However, the playback voice can still sometimes sound a bit robotic or monotoned.
Fun fact, people that have experience with using a screen reader “often like to speed up the reading rate to 300 words per minute or more—well beyond what an inexperienced listener can easily understand” (WebAIM). Curious about how this sounds? Check out the video below.
According to the American Foundation for the Blind, “A command can instruct the synthesizer to read or spell a word, read a line or full screen of text, find a string of text on the screen, announce the location of the computer’s cursor or focused item, and so on.” These commands also help with performing advanced functions such as locating specific text or identifying parts of a navigation menu.
Many screen readers are free, but some can be purchased. However, did you know that you may have a screen reader built right into your computer? Screen readers are built into computers that run Linux, Windows, Mac, IOS, Android, and more (American Foundation for the Blind).
Windows User
If you are using a Windows operating system, Narrator is available for you to use. You can access this feature by clicking Start > Settings > Ease of Access > Narrator. Begin using Narrator by toggling the switch from Off to On.
To learn more about this software, watch it in action in the video below.
Mac User
If you are using a Mac operating system, VoiceOver is available for you to use. You can access this feature by clicking Launchpad > System Preferences > Accessibility > VoiceOver. You can begin using VoiceOver by checking the Enable VoiceOver box.
Check out Apple’s Accessibility page to learn more about how VoiceOver helps make their products accessible to everyone.
“Using any screen reader for the first time can be a confusing and discouraging experience. Using an audio interface is almost always a little disorienting for sighted users. Also, much of the content on a web page will seem to be inaccessible, when in fact the problem may be that the new user simply does not know how to use the screen reader.”
– WebAIM
If you’ve never used a screen reader before, I highly recommend completing the beginner tutorials before jumping right in. These guides are a great way to help you with understanding and using keyboard commands. When getting started, be patient. Using a screen reader to its full potential takes practice.
Experimenting with Screen Readers
In this section, come with me as we explore the screen readers Browsealoud and VoiceOver. Let it be noted that I am not doctoring these videos. What you see is what you get. Thanks for watching, and please bear with me.
Exploring Browsealoud
As previously mentioned, the International Dyslexia Association uses a screen reading software that is built into their website. This reader is called Browsealoud. It appears that organizations can have this screen reader available as a tool for their website visitors to use. Individuals can also try the reader free for 90 days and can opt to purchase a subscription.
From my understanding, this screen reader can accommodate more than a website visitor that has dyslexia. The software also helps make websites accessible to individuals that have visual impairments or who speak different languages.
Let’s explore the features that this screen reader has to offer. Check out the video below.
Exploring VoiceOver
I use an Apple computer. I’ve never truly used my computer’s screen reader. As previously stated, VoiceOver is the built-in screen reading software for this type of computer.
After completing the VoiceOver Training, I found myself with more questions than answers. For some reason, my brain couldn’t comprehend what was going on. By consulting YouTube, I found this basic VoiceOver tutorial.
According to the video, these keyboard commands will be our best friends:
- Command + F5 (Turns VoiceOver on and off)
- Control + Alt + Right Arrow (Allows moving around the screen)
- Control + Alt + Command + H (Lets you move around headings)
- Control + Alt + Space (Helps with clicking on things)
Now that we know some basic VoiceOver functions, let’s put them into action. Check out the video below to see how VoiceOver performs (and how I react) on the UA Little Rock website.
Key Things to Remember
Since screen readers are the eyes for many people that are using them, it is important to think about the key information that this software may or may not pick up on. The website design choices that you make can affect what information is read or missed by your audience. It can also determine how your website or document is navigated.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Incorporate headings
- Consider adding Skip Navigation links
- Include alternative text
- Make paragraphs distinct
- Words may be pronounced differently
- Punctuation may or may not be read
- Acronyms may be spelled out or pronounced as a word
For more information about how to design for screen readers, visit WebAIM and AFB.
Sources
Designing for Screen Reader Compatibility. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://webaim.org/techniques/screenreader/
Lazar, J., Allen, A., Kleinman, J., & Malarkey, C. (n.d.). What Frustrates Screen Reader Users on the Web: A Study of 100 Blind Users. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HUMAN–COMPUTER INTERACTION, 247-269.
Molnar, Retrieved November 10, 2020, https://pixabay.com/vectors/media-laptop-tablet-pc-smartphone-774068/
Screen readers. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2020, from http://www.afb.org/blindness-and-low-vision/using-technology/assistive-technology-products/screen-readers
UsabilityGeek. (2020, July 11). 10 Free Screen Readers For Blind Or Visually Impaired Users. Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://medium.com/usabilitygeek/10-free-screen-readers-for-blind-or-visually-impaired-users-45a45c757617
Waters, E., Vinkle, S., & Roekel, K. (2014, December 19). Accessibility tips for people with dyslexia ” Simply Accessible. Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://simplyaccessible.com/article/user-needs-dyslexia/
What are iOS Accessibility Features? (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2020, from http://www.boia.org/blog/what-are-ios-accessibility-features
Why Screen Readers Are Essential for Website Accessibility. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2020, from http://www.boia.org/blog/why-screen-readers-are-essential-for-website-accessibility
I have heard of screen readers before but never fully understood how they worked. I remember my mom accidentally turning that feature on on her tablet before… Her startled reaction was as funny as you can imagine.
Reading about how screen readers actually work does give me a lot to consider when designing a webpage. With the amount of technology and devices we use there is so much to consider when designing a webpage. It is so much more than font type and background colors now. A far step away from early web surfing on Netscape.
I can close my eyes and imagine exactly how your mom reacted when she accidentally turned on her screen reader. If you don’t know about the technology or if you don’t ever use it, you can be definitely startled by it. I hope I was able to help provide some insight into your future webpage designing. 🙂
After watching your trial run with screen readers I am really excited to give them a try. I don’t think I will ever get to the point of designing a web page, although, you never know. But, the information you provided was informative and extensive. I want to see how this will work with some of my more intensive reading assignments…. I love to take hand written notes, so reading on a computer then looking down to take notes, then looking up again and trying to find my place can be time consuming but having it read aloud would be like an actual lecture (kinda). I can engage at a different level. For me, the mac user information was most valuable. Thank you
If you ever get the chance to tinker around with a screen reader, definitely share your experience. You can tell it was a lot of trial and error on my part. I think the more practice you have with software like this, the better. I can see how a user can get frustrated though. If they know how to use the software, and the markups aren’t there. I am a BIG fan of writing my notes too. I feel like I remember the content better. You make a good point, I bet it would feel like a lecture if you had the screen being read to you while you were taking notes. The voice might be a little robotic, but the concept is totally there. I might have to give it a try.
Your post is very informative. I like how you used the videos to further explain your points.
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
I’m seriously loving all of the accessibility blogs we have going on in this class. I think accessibility is such an essential part of online content, and many users/creators don’t think to include that in their final design choices either for lack of knowledge or laziness. I am creating online content for future students in my OWI courses, and this blog is so informative. I already have a colorblind filter attached to my browser that lets me see how colors are viewed, but I’ve never seen this dyslexia feature (or the screen reader feature for that matter)! To have successful online content, one must create accessible content, and I think you are doing a great job at informing the public, Nicole. Great read!
I feel ya when it comes to creating a learning environment that is friendly for everyone. The OWI courses taught me a lot about that. I had to put on the brakes and seriously think about how people learn differently. That is awesome that you have a colorblind filter attached to your browser. Which one are you using? I would love to check it out. Yeah, I have had to learn a thing or two about dyslexia. My nephew is dyslexia so I am always looking for tools and gadgets to help him out. He struggles with using a computer. Thanks for all of your kind comments. I appreciate you checking out my blog. 🙂
When learning web development, I was taught to consider the “Key things to remember” that you listed on your site, but these key things are easy to forget when coding. I don’t always stop to think “Is there anyone in my target audience who may have a disability?” When writing on the web, we think about how our content meets our audience needs and expectations, but we don’t always consider if the content is accessible to them. ” Your post, especially your videos, helps developers to understand the importance of designing for screen readers, and the negative affects of failing to do so.
When learning web development, I was taught to consider the “Key things to remember” that you listed on your site, but these key things are easy to forget when coding. I don’t always stop to think “Is there anyone in my target audience who may have a disability?” When writing on the web, we think about how our content meets our audience needs and expectations, but we don’t always consider if the content is accessible to them. ” Your post, especially your videos, helps developers to understand the importance of designing for screen readers, and the negative affects of failing to do so.
Coding enough can be a challenge in its self. I can see where not thinking about screen readers and making content accessible is put on the backburner. I really look up to the work that you and all web developers do. You guys are some super talented people! Thanks for taking the time to read my post and watch my videos.
Since most people already commented on the over the discussion of the contents of your article. I’d like to go ahead and give you props on how well you laid out your information with proper headings for information and embedding these helpful videos on your topic.