The rise of digital technology has helped people from all backgrounds connect in new and unique ways. However, some devices and apps are easier for people with disabilities to navigate than others. For users who are blind or have low vision, navigating the internet can be a challenge if content is not presented in an accessible format, even with a screen reader.
What is a screen reader?
A screen reader is a system that takes information from a digital page and presents it in a way that blind or visually impaired users can engage with. The screen reader can be a text-to-speech system where content is presented audibly through speakers or headphones, or a braille configuration, where one or two sentences are presented over time with a refreshable display.
Who uses screen readers?
Screen readers are primarily used for people who are blind. They provide an auditory alternative to reading a traditional web page. However, there are other audiences that benefit from these devices.
Screen readers are also useful for people who have learning and reading disabilities. Digital screens, in particular, can create challenges for some people, especially if the website uses challenging fonts or colors that don’t contrast.
Users with cognitive impairments may also use screen readers, along with people who have motor disabilities. Additionally, disability does not function in a vacuum. About 16 percent of people who use screen readers have multiple disabilities.
Outside of people with disabilities, screen readers are also used by people with low literacy levels, non-native speakers, and people who prefer to listen to content instead of reading. Roughly 12 percent of screen readers users don’t have a disability.
What is a screen reader like?
Screen readers present web content in a linear way. When a seeing person views a website, they evaluate the font choices, colors, images, and other visual cues on the page. Visual cues can enhance the branding on a website (like a rock band choosing dramatic fonts to announce a concert lineup) or distract users (like the crowded MySpace profiles of the early 2000s). This type of markup is not useful to a screen reader.
Screen readers present the information as plain text and include semantic information like subheads and links. The tool presents information like an audiobook, reading different sections of the page.
How do users who are blind interact with screen readers?
There are both similarities and differences in how people who are blind engage with online content. Think about what happens when you visit a website for the first time. You likely scan the page to get a feel for the layout (where are the categories, what do they say) and develop an understanding of what the content is about. The same can be said for web users who are blind.
Using a screen reader, the person who is blind will go over the website manually to understand its layout. They review the different pages and identify if a site has a search function. The process of reading a website in this manner can take longer than a seeing user, who usually scans the webpage over a few seconds.
People who use screen readers often turn to website search functions to get to key pages faster. For example, if a user wants to contact a business, they can search for the keyword contact. This is easier than waiting for the reader to work through each of the website’s pages.
How much do screen readers cost?
Screen readers can vary from no cost to expensive software and hardware. There are some online tools that offer screen reading so users can access this technology even if they don’t have access to their preferred screen reading technology. These free tools can also benefit people who aren’t sure if screen reading is right for them. For example, some with low vision might test out an online app to get a feel for the overall experience.
Can screen readers understand all web content?
Screen readers sort information into titles, headings, and text. They can then present information clearly in this manner. If a website doesn’t use HTML to specification or have a standard hierarchy for information, it can be challenging for screen readers to interpret. Many people who are blind or who have low vision rely on search bars to find content − it is hard to find quality information without clear headings and titles.
Similarly, a screen reader can’t describe an image unless there are alt tags that describe it. This contextual information helps the web user fully understand what the content is about.
It’s up to web content creators to make sure their pages are accessible for screen reader users. Otherwise, they will alienate this key market.
Are screen readers the only option?
While screen readers are certainly a popular tool for people who are blind or have low vision, not everyone uses them. There are some alternatives for people who don’t have access to a screen reader or prefer not to use one. These include but are not limited to:
- Screen magnifiers that increase the size of the pages
- Refreshable Braille displays
- High-contrast modes
The use of these alternatives depends on the needs and personal preferences of web users. Some people with low vision don’t feel the need to switch over to screen reader technology as long as they can control their digital settings. Others prefer to have both high-contrast modes and screen reading tools at the same time.
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