Learning how to test with a screen-reader
Screen-readers enable people who cannot use the traditional visual monitor to read information on their device to do so using synthetic speech or electronic braille. They are complex applications and can be difficult to master if you don't use them all the time. The good news is that if all you want to do is to test your website, mobile app or other digital product for screen-reader access, you don't need to be a complete expert. You do though need to understand how to use the screen-reader to judge how well your product is performing.
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 can last from an hour for a very basic overview, through to six hours for more detailed introductions. Multiple sessions can also be provided so that you can practice what you learned between sessions. Below are just a couple of typical examples.
Basic introduction to screen-readers
A 2-hour session which will demonstrate screen-reader use on digital platforms used in your organisation.
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
We will provide a more detailed training course into your preferred choice of screen-reader. While it is good to test on more than one, many teams prefer to be confident with one or two particular screen-readers, such as one for desktop and another for mobile. Others will focus on just one of those, depending on the likely usage patterns of their stakeholders.
Participants will learn everything from the 2-hour option but go on to learn about a screen-reader in more depth. Additional learning will 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
Note: this option is ideally delivered over three 2-hour sessions, or two 3-hour sessions. We have found that concentration is better and the multiple sessions allow attendees to practice what they have learned between sessions and ask questions at 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