How to use a screen reader

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How to use a screen reader

Users can choose from a variety of screen readers. Here are some common choices:

  • Mac/iOS: Voiceover
  • Windows: NVDA, JAWS, Narrator
  • Android: Talkback

According to WebAim’s screen reader survey in 2017, the most used screen readers are:

  1. JAWS
  2. NVDA
  3. Voiceover

Since most people use JAWS as their screen reader, it makes sense to test for accessibility with JAWS.

Unfortunately, JAWS is a paid software. If you’re on Windows, I recommend you use NVDA instead. If you’re on Mac, you can use Voiceover.

Screen reader and browser pairings

Screen readers perform differently in different browsers. WebAim recommends the following browser-screen reader pairings for the best experience.

  • Safari with VoiceOver
  • Firefox with NVDA
  • Chrome with JAWS
  • Internet Explorer with JAWS
  • Edge with Narrator

How a screen reader user surfs the web

If you want to build accessible software, you need to understand how a real screen reader user uses the web.

In this video below, Leonié Watson (an accessibility expert) gives us a walkthrough on how she uses JAWS to surf the web.

This video is 1 hour long. Please watch it. It’ll help you understand what you need to take note of. It’s going to help prime you for what’s coming up next.