Learning how to test with a screen-reader
Screen-readers let people who cannot use a visual monitor access digital content through synthetic speech or electronic braille. They can be complex to master. But to test your website, app or digital product, you don't need to be an expert. You just need enough knowledge to judge how well it performs.
We can provide an introduction to testing with the following screen-readers:
- JAWS For Windows
- NVDA For Windows
- Narrator for Windows
- VoiceOver for Mac OS
- VoiceOver for iOS mobile devices
- TalkBack for Android mobile devices
Sessions range from one hour for a basic overview to six hours for more depth. Multiple sessions are available so participants can practise between them. Two typical examples are described below.
Basic introduction to screen-readers
A 2-hour session demonstrating screen-reader use on the digital platforms your organisation uses.
We will:
- Provide an overview of what a screen-reader is and what it is not, as well as discuss strategies for choosing which to test with
- Talk about techniques used by blind users to maximise the potential of their chosen screen-reader
- Explain how design and development can make the use of a platform and screen-reader easy or impossible and suggest low-hanging fruit techniques to avoid pitfalls
- Talk about how designers, developers, content creators and testers typically use a screen-reading tool differently to the blind end-user
- Apply all of the above to digital platforms used in your specific organisation and make some high-level observations
- Prepare handouts and links to resources to assist team members after the session has concluded
Approximate timeframe
Number of hours: 2
Deep dive into your screen-reader of choice
A deeper course focused on your chosen screen-reader. Many teams focus on one or two - typically one for desktop and one for mobile, depending on how their stakeholders use their products.
Participants cover everything in the 2-hour option, then go further. Additional topics include:
- Starting and stopping the screen-reader
- Customising and configuring the screen-reader
- Controlling what it says
- Navigating using the screen-reader and semantic elements
- Key tests to perform to ensure your site or digital product is optimised for use with the screen-reader being studied
- Observations on how this screen-reader may behave differently to others
This option works best across three 2-hour sessions or two 3-hour sessions. Spreading the sessions lets participants practise between them and bring questions to the next one.
Approximate timeframe
Number of hours: 6
Contact Neil
If you would like to contact Neil Jarvis Consultants, please feel free to do so, either by filling out the form below, by emailing or phoning.
Email: neil@neiljarvisconsultants.com
Phone: +64-21-0653468
Or fill out this form