Screen readers
A screen reader is an assistive technology tool. It can help users to read content or navigate a service if they are unable to, or struggle to, see a screen.
They are mostly used by people with low vision, who are blind and are unable to navigate with a mouse. They are also sometimes used by people with cognitive disabilities or who are neurodiverse.
Screen readers provide all the information that a user would get visually, just in a different way. Rather than receive information from a computer visually, it can receive it audibly or by brail display.
Types of screen readers
There are 3 main types of screen readers.
Paid ones, such as JAWS (Job Access With Speech). Free versions, such as NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access), and ones built into the operating system of a device, such as VoiceOver on Apple devices and Narrator on Windows devices.
How to test with a screen reader
Most screen readers are used in the same way, but they all have their own keyboard shortcuts and commands. The easier way to start testing with one is to switch the screen reader on and use the tab key to navigate your way through your service. This will give you a basic idea of how a screen reader works and the type of information that is relayed audibly to a user.
However, this will only give you information on interactive components, such as links and buttons in your service. There are many other types of web content that should be tested to ensure your website is accessible.
Who should test with a screen reader
Everyone can carry out these tests on a service. It's useful to understand how people who use a screen reader might navigate a service you are creating, content you are writing, or a document you are creating.
Interaction designers and developers especially, should know the basics of a screen reader and be able to carry out checks on a service they are designing or developing.
Screen reader tools and how to use them
Guidance and videos for specific tools.
Voiceover
Voiceover is available on Apple devices. It is a built-in screen reader that can be used on iPhones, iPads and Macs.
We have created guidance for using Voiceover and a tutorial video for features and testing for common issues.
NVDA
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free screen reader for Microsoft Windows.
We are working on guidance and a tutorial video for this tool.
Jaws
JAWS (Job Access With Speech) is a paid version of a screen reader.
We are working on guidance and a tutorial video for this tool.
Information about this page
- Created
- 18 October 2024
- Last reviewed
- 18 October 2024
- Last updated
- 18 October 2024
- Reason this page exists
- This page exists to help people understand how to use tools to test for, and understand accessibility issues in a product.
- Suggest a change or comment
- Issue 77