What are screen readers?
Screen readers are tools that use technology to help people who face difficulties accessing and interacting with digital content. These include websites or applications via touch or audio.
The screen readers allow blind or visually impaired people to read the text displayed on the computer screens with an advanced speech synthesizer. These tools use audio or touch to interact with websites and apps. It is an amazing technology that can make things more accessible for everyone.
A screen reader is not only helpful for people with visual impairments but also for individuals with cognitive impairments or anyone who prefers having screen content read aloud to them.
How do Screen Readers work?
Screen readers are like digital assistants that read out the content on the screen. The best part is, that users can customize them to match their preferences. They can control their speech speed, and language and even use a Braille display for navigation. This makes the technology inclusive for everyone.
Are screen readers user-friendly?
Screen readers are specially designed to be intuitive and easy to use. When you first start using a screen reader, it is important to learn the shortcut keys for touch gestures so you can quickly grasp the basics with just a few commands, becoming an advanced user takes some time and effort to get familiar with the advanced features. Getting training on how to use your screen reader can boost your confidence and enhance your skills with it.
Key Features and Functionalities of Screen Readers
These software have a variety of techniques and features that make web browsing accessible for blind individuals. Let’s dive into some of their key functionalities:
Text-to-Speech Conversion: Screen readers use text-to-speech technology to convert on-screen text into spoken words. This helps blind users access a wide range of digital content, from websites to emails. It is like having a virtual narrator at your fingertips.
Keyboard Shortcuts: These tools provide handy keyboard shortcuts and commands for efficient navigation. It enables users to easily jump between headings, links, and other elements on web pages. It is like having a secret passcode to explore the digital world with ease.
Alternative Text (Alt text): Alt Text, also known as Alternative Text is a powerful tool for making digital content more accessible. It is a descriptive text added to images that allow screen readers to read it aloud to blind users.
This helps them understand and visualize the images and graphics present on websites. With our alt-text writing services, we can ensure that the online experience is inclusive for everyone.
Heading and Landmarks: Headings and Landmarks are like signposts that guide screen readers to create a structured representation of web pages. This structure is essential for blind individuals to navigate and understand the content effortlessly. It is like having a clear roadmap to explore the digital world.
Form Input Assistance: When it comes to online forms, screen readers are a game changer. They read from labels, prompt for required fields, and provide feedback on input errors. This functionality ensures that blind individuals can actively participate in online activities like submitting forms or making purchases.
How do Screen Readers Help the Blind?
Screen readers are amazing tools that read the text displayed on web pages aloud using a text-to-speech engine. When it comes to interacting with web pages visually impaired users have two options. They can either use a keyboard to navigate and interact with the content or rely on assistive technologies like screen readers to access the information.
It is all about providing different ways for anyone to engage with the digital world. There are two ways in which a visually impaired user can interact with a web page.
1. Browse Mode
Screen readers are commonly used to read and explore websites. In this mode, users can navigate through different page elements in a sequential order by using the up and down arrow keys. To scan a page and identify various elements users can use keyword shortcuts like H for headings, F for forms, T for tables, and more.
2. Focus Mode
It is a fantastic feature that helps the users interact with specific functions on the web page, when filling out a form, users can easily switch to focus mode, allowing them to enter the relevant content using regular keystrokes. It makes the whole process smoother and more effective and when it comes to screen readers, they truly empower blind and visually impaired individuals to navigate the online world.
How to conduct a screen reader test for compatibility?
Before launching a website or an app it is important to test its accessibility. One way is to use the screen reader yourself and navigate the site to check for any issues. You can also have people on your team including those with visual impairments, review the site with the screen reader and note any errors or confusing parts.
Another option is to use a third-party testing service like JAWS Connect, which can provide authentic feedback from screen reader users.
JAWS Inspect is another tool that gives you a text output of what a screen reader user would experience. It is best to use both text-based and user testing to review your site thoroughly.
Furthermore, in this article at Technolopedia, we are going to explore some popular types of screen readers. So, here we go!
Some Popular Types of Screen Readers
Let’s delve into more detail about screen readers on both mobile phones and desktops.
Desktop: Most desktop operating systems have built-in screen reader options, but many visually impaired users prefer to use dedicated software like NVDA or JAWS for an enhanced experience. This software offers more advanced features and customization options.
Mobile Phones: Both Android and Apple iOS have built-in screen readers but Android users take advantage of Talkback, while Apple users use VoiceOver. These screen readers allow visually impaired users to navigate and interact with their mobile devices using spoken feedback.
It is worth noticing that users often choose one type of screen reader and stick with it. This is because each screen reader has its unique features and functions, and it takes time to become familiar with and proficient in using a particular screen reader.
In addition to desktop and mobile screen readers, there are also other types of assistive technologies available for visually impaired users. These can include refreshable braille displays, screen magnifiers, and speech recognition software among others. Below are a few other types of screen readers:
5 Types of Screen Readers In 2024
1. Built-in Screen Readers:
Most computer systems have built-in screen readers that help people with visual impairments. For example, Windows has a Narrator, Apple has VoiceOver, and Google Chrome has ChromeVox.
These screen readers read the text on the screen so that people can hear it. Mobile devices also have screen readers like TalkBack for Android and VoiceOver for iPhones and iPads to make it easier for everyone to use technology.
Features:
- VoiceOver provides comprehensive screen reading functionality and supports braille displays
- The built-in screen reader that offers navigation features like links, tables
- Talkback provides screen reading features including reading text, controls
- Offers built-in tutorials to assist users in learning the screen reader
2. Online Screen Readers:
There are online screen readers available that can be accessed through web pages. Tools like WebAnywhere and Spoken Web provide a simple interface for users to navigate web elements and hear article content.
These portals are especially helpful for individuals who may not have the capability to download screen reader software onto their computers.
While their capabilities may be somewhat limited, they still offer a valuable solution for accessing screen reading capabilities online.
Features:
- Offers intuitive navigation controls and keyboard shortcuts
- Makes web content accessible to individuals with visual impairments
- Supports multiple languages to access the web in their preferred language
- Compatible with different web browsers and operating systems like Chrome and Firefox
3. JAWS (Job Access with Speech):
Freedom Scientific developed JAWS which is one of the most widely used screen readers in the world. It is designed specifically for Windows operating systems and provides a variety of features.
It supports multi-screen setups, seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Office, and even supports touchscreen and gesture inputs. Furthermore, it is compatible with braille displays, making it a comprehensive and versatile screen reader.
However, it requires some learning to fully utilize its features and navigate digital content effectively. It’s impressive to see how technology is advancing to make digital content more accessible to everyone.
Features:
- It offers both speech and braille outputs
- It supports various applications and web browsers
- It offers customized settings such as voice speed and verbosity
- It includes advanced navigation commands like quick keys, heading navigation, and virtual cursor
4. ZoomText for Windows:
ZoomText is an amazing screen amplification and reading program designed for users with low vision. It comes in three versions: magnifier, magnifier plus reader, and magnifier with all the screen reading software. It is great to see that it is being recognized and utilized by screen reader users.
In fact, according to WebAim’s 2021 survey, 4.7% of defendants stated that they use ZoomText as their main desktop screen reader. It is fantastic to see technology evolving to meet the needs of different users.
Features:
- It has a built-in screen reader called “ZoomText Reader”
- It offers a powerful screen magnification option to enlarge text, images
- It offers various customization options like color schemes and pointer enhancement
- It also offers additional tools like text-to-text speech, reading zones, and document reading
5. NVDA (Nonvisual Desktop Access):
NVDA is a free screen reader for Windows and is the second most popular option according to the survey, works with braille displays and Microsoft applications.
It can speak about 55 different languages and has tutorials on its website to help the users set it up. One cool thing about NVDA is that it can be loaded from a USB drive which is handy for students and people who use public computers.
Features:
- It provides accessibility for blind readers
- It offers comprehensive screen reading functionality
- It is a free and open-source screen reader that supports braille displays
- It provides open feedback for text, controls, and other on-screen elements
End Notes
Screen readers have revolutionized the online experience for blind people. They enable users to browse websites, access information, and engage in activities independently. With features such as text-to-speech, keyboard navigation, and alt-screen, screen readers ensure that the internet is accessible to all. If you or someone you know could benefit from screen readers, there are multiple options available for different operating systems and mobile devices. Do not hesitate to explore and utilize these incredible tools to make the online experience more inclusive for everyone.