Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge both include features that make each browser more accessible to users, including people with low or no vision or those with a limited ability to operate a mouse or keyboard.
Firefox supports keyboard navigation by allowing users to default to using cursor keys to navigate. Cursor keys are the various keyboard keys that can be used to move the cursor. These typically include the arrow keys, Home, End, Page Up, Page Down, and groups of letter keys such as WASD, though the specific keys will depend on the keyboard layout.
Users can configure Firefox always to use cursor keys to navigate web pages by selecting the option in the Browsing section in Firefox's general settings.
This will allow users to navigate screen content as if they are using a read-only editor, select web content using the keyboard, and copy it to the clipboard. Shortcuts are also available, which can be used to perform various tasks easily in Firefox.
Also found in the Browsing section of Firefox's settings, this feature lets users easily navigate to the text or hyperlinks within a web page. The browser will automatically highlight the matching text or hyperlinks while a user types.
This feature makes it easier to access text boxes, buttons, and other form controls. When the Tab key is pressed, users can exit the search automatically, and the focus will shift to the next button or form field after the highlighted hyperlink or text.
The Page Zoom feature in Firefox lets users zoom in and out of web pages and images using keyboard shortcuts. Users can also use the Text Zoom feature to increase or decrease text size as desired.
Many websites use font sizes that make the text too small to read without causing eye strain. To make these web pages easier to read, users can set a minimum font size in their browsers. Once activated, Firefox will automatically increase the text to the desired size whenever a page with a size smaller than that is loaded.
Despite best practices emphasizing the importance of color contrast, many websites still use color combinations that make it hard to read the content. Firefox allows users to set default colors so that the browser can override a website’s original colors, allowing for more comfortable interaction with web content regardless of the design choices that were made.
Using an operating system high contrast mode will override all other web pages and browser settings. This can be disabled in Firefox to ensure your browser-specific preferences remain active.
Microsoft Edge functions as a screen reader, audibly reading web page content, news stories, sports items, and other information. Once a web page is opened, simply right-click the mouse or press and hold anywhere on the web page to select the Read Aloud setting. Read Aloud can also be selected using the Immersive Reader toolbar, browser settings, or using the Read Aloud keyboard shortcut.
Microsoft Edge has an Immersive Reader mode, which provides a simpler and cleaner layout with minimal distractions. Users can adjust the text size and theme according to their comfort level. To use immersive reading mode on compatible pages, hit F9 or select “Enter immersive reader” in the address bar.
Users can customize the experience by setting text and other reading preferences.
Edge lets users comfortably move focus through various browser sections using only the keyboard. Some of the items that can be accessed through the keyboard include:
Microsoft Edge has built-in accessibility features allowing users to zoom in or out to adjust text size. It also features a high contrast mode, making content easier to read.
Firefox and Edge both provide essential accessibility features
When choosing between Edge and Firefox, the bottom line is that both offer useful accessibility features. The better browser is the one that will fit the user's unique needs for accessibility and browser customization more effectively.