Screen reader testing
Everyone navigates the web differently based on their individual usability preferences, and the same is true for users with disabilities.
Sometimes users with disabilities configure their standard software or hardware by increasing text size or turning on captions through adaptive strategies. Users adapt their current environment to meet their needs better. Sometimes users require specialized software, or assistive technology, to meet suitability needs.
According to the W3C, assistive technology is "software and hardware that people with disabilities use to improve interaction with the web. These include screen readers that read web pages aloud for people who cannot read the text, screen magnifiers for people with some types of low vision, and voice recognition software and selection switches for people who cannot use a keyboard or mouse."
All these tools provide a way for users to access the content they are interacting with on the web. These tools can benefit not only users with disabilities but many others who recognize that using multiple ways to perceive the content increases comprehension of the content. Think about how the current generation consumes media and video content much more urgently than just reading text on the web.
Screen reader overview
A screen reader is an assistive technology that allows a visually impaired person to navigate and consume content on the web. The technology uses a voice synthesizer and converts the text, images, or other screen elements into speech or Braille, which users can hear or feel, and perceive.
In 1986, Jim Thatcher, an American scientist at IBM, created the first screen reader: the IBM Screen Reader. Initially introduced for DOS (desktop operating system), a non-user graphical interface system, a screen reader was later developed for a Windows operating system.
Organizations and groups recognized the value of screen readers and began to develop new screen readers for computers and touch devices. The most dominant screen reader on the market today is Job Access With Speech (JAWS) from Freedom Scientific.
An annual WebAIM survey from Utah State University found that over 90 percent of respondents use the JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver screen readers. The remainder includes Zoom Text, System Access, and Narrator, as shown in the following diagram:
The following is a summary of all the screen readers reported in the survey:
- JAWS is a fee based solution that offers a 45 minute interval trial for quick testing. It is only available on Windows.
- NVDA is a free solution available for download and only available on Windows.
- VoiceOver is available for Apple devices, including mobile.
- Narrator is available with all Windows devices.
- ZoomText/Fusion is a fee-based solution that is primarily used by individuals with low vision who require magnification of a screen in addition to a screen reader to help consume content.
Screen reader users
The most common use of a screen reader is by persons who have blindness who are unable to view the content directly. In order to navigate digital content they require the system that translates the written text, the page structure and interactive components within an application into speech. However, other users can benefit from screen readers as well.
Deafblind users can also use screen readers with refreshable Braille. They use a standard keyboard to input data that works with a screen reader that produces the audible translation, then translated to a refreshable Braille keyboard that transforms the audible into tactile information.
Low-vision users leverage screen readers and other assistive technologies, such as magnifiers. Combining magnification and other enhanced visual features with the audible output from the screen reader allows for better comprehension of the content.
Users with cognitive and learning disorders can use screen readers to increase comprehension because the technology applies to both visual and audible senses.
As screen readers become easier to use and more integrated into applications, more individuals can use them to understand the content.
Testing methods for screen reader
The key to testing with a screen reader is understanding the different ways that people navigate content with a screen reader. There are three common methods through which users of screen readers navigate content, i.e., navigating by arrow keys, tab keys or quick keys.
Navigate by Arrow key
With this navigation method, users read or browse content with the Up and Down arrow keys. This navigation method is often referred to as Browse mode on a screen reader. With Browse mode, users can review an entire page to understand the layout, structure, and content. Users explore the content linearly reviewing all the text and interactions on the page.
The following video demonstrates how to use the Up and Down arrow keys in Browse mode with a screen reader.
Video: JAWS Browse mode using arrow keys
Transcript
Heading level two easy recipe for scrambled eggs. The following is a list of ingredients and steps to prepare. Feel free to check each box as they are completed. Heading level three ingredients. Four large eggs checkbox not checked. Kosher sole checkbox not checked. Ground black pepper checkbox not checked. One tablespoon butter checkbox not checked. Heading Level three steps. Beat the eggs, 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper in the bowl. Checkbox not checked.
Navigate by Tab key
With this navigation method, users navigate by moving to interactive elements on a page. This navigation method is often referred to as Forms mode. Forms mode is more common for users who are familiar with the page because they know the general content (for example, whether there are many links, images, or tables) and want to navigate through the elements and identify the ones to which they want to jump to. The following video demonstrates how to use the Tab key in Forms mode with a screen reader.
Note: When navigating in this way, plain text is not announced to screen reader. This behavior is expected because the user navigates to only the interactive elements on the page.
Video: JAWS Forms mode using Tab key
Transcript
Four large eggs, checkbox not checked. To check press space bar. Space checked. Kosher salt checkbox not checked. To check press space bar. Space. Checked. Ground black pepper checkbox not checked. To check press space bar. Space. Checked. One tablespoon butter. Checkbox not checked. To check press space bar. Space. Checked. Beat the eggs, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and black pepper in the bowl. Checkbox not checked. To check press space bar.
Navigate by Quick Keys
Users navigate by using the quick keys in a screen reader to access the specific elements on a page. Generally, users first browse the page with arrow keys to become familiar, then, like the Tab key, they jump directly to the element on the page of interest (for example, a heading, a table, a region, or a set of links). This method allows for the most efficiency. Example of quick key for JAWS includes "h" for headings, "t" for tables, and "r" for regions.
Video: JAWS Quick key navigation
Transcript
(Pega) We have an easy recipe for scrambled eggs, a little bit of textual information, as well as a column listing ingredients, as well as another listing steps to prepare the recipe. So what we can do first is we can navigate through and cycle through the headers of the page with JAWS by pressing the H key. So I'll demonstrate that behavior. Now with JAWS enabled, I'll press H. (JAWS): Wrapping to top recipe, Heading level one. (Pega): And we hear that the first recipe header is announced, the heading level one at the top left. If I press H again, (JAWS): Easy recipe for scrambled eggs. Heading level two. (Pega): We hear both the heading level and label announced for this heading. And continuing to press H, (JAWS): Ingredients heading Level three. Steps heading level three. Wrapping the top recipe heading level one. (Pega): We can see that JAWS will fully cycle through all the headings on the page as well as announce their heading level. So in addition, JAWS also has another key press capability for check boxes as well. As we see both in ingredients and steps, they are listed out as check once that step is completed. So using the X key I will move between boxes and fill in some other values. (JAWS): Four large eggs, checkbox not checked. kosher sold, checkbox not checked, ground black pepper checkbox not checked, space. Ground black pepper checkbox checked. To clear check mark press space bar. One tablespoon butter checkbox not check.
Screen reader navigation checklist
Review all methods when you test your application for accessibility compliance. Ensure that you check for the following elements when testing:
- You can navigate to all interactive elements on the page, and the screen reader announces the role of the element (for example, list, menu, combo box) and the label.
- The navigation order mirrors the visual order and makes sense based on its context on the page.
- Interactive elements that change state announce the current state to the screen reader (for example, expand and collapse, checkbox is selected or clear, and drop down selected).
- Images or graphics announce a description, or alternate text, to the screen reader.
- Dynamic actions announce to the screen reader when the context of the content changes.
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