The Secrets of Screen Readers Revealed

Sean KeeganFebruary 28, 2008

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Overview• What is a screen-reader?

• Who uses these programs?

• How do screen-readers work?

• Features of screen-readers

• Technology challenges for screen-readers

• Authoring content to support access

Screen-Readers Defined• Screen-readers are a type of assistive computer

technology that allow a blind or visually impaired user interact with a computer

• Screen-readers are software applications that• Read content on the screen• Allow users to perform various actions (such as copy/paste,

edit text, etc.)• Allow for computer interaction without the use of the mouse

Screen-Readers Defined• Three major screen-readers for the Windows platform

• JAWS, Window-Eyes, and Supernova• Supernova is a combination screen-reader/screen-

magnification application• All must be purchased separately from the Windows OS

• Only one system currently available on OS X• VoiceOver is built into the OS X operating system and

does not require separate purchase• Not currently as robust in terms of application support

as MS Windows

Screen-Reader Users• Screen-reader applications are designed for blind or

visually-impaired individuals

• Individuals typically use the keyboard or refreshable braille display to interact with on-screen information

• A major challenge for individuals using screen-readers is that you only "see" a small part of the screen at any time

Analogy of the Day

Imagine that you are looking at your computer screen through a soda straw

Question of the Day

How is Google like a screen-reader?

How do they work?• Screen-readers communicate the text information to

the individual

• Graphics and icons are okay provided there is a text label associated with that graphic

• Toolbars in applications• System tray icons• Images on a Web page

• Problems begin to arise when an application has an image of text…but there is no actual text content!

Screen-Reader Features• Screen-readers "collect" information from various

off-screen models

• This allows the individual to re-organize and access discrete pieces of information based on their need

• Two Issues• Knowing how to access discrete pieces of information

with the screen-reader• Having that information actually being available in the

various off-screen models

Challenges• Screen-readers work best when information can be

textually discerned and accessed from the keyboard

• Content that is mouse dependent and/or image-based limits access and functionality for all users

• Fly-out menus• Drag-and-drop interfaces• AJAX Events

• User interfaces that do not conform to programming standards or do not provide functional alternatives

Authoring Suggestions• Create the rich interfaces, but also provide fall-back

options for those using assistive technology, older Web browsers, handheld devices, etc.

• Provide structure for documents using headings

• Add text descriptions for images or icons

• Use symbols as well as color to differentiate content

• Provide accurate names for hyperlinks• Avoid the "Click here for more information" lingo

Discussion Lists• Designing Accessible Web Pages

http://htclistserv.htctu.fhda.edu/read/all_forums/

• WebAIM Discussion Listhttp://www.webaim.org/discussion/

Simulations• WebAIM Screen-Reader Simulation

http://www.webaim.org/simulations/screenreader.php

• HTCTU Text Transcoderhttp://www.htctu.net/divisions/webaccess/transcoder/transcodermain.htm

Screen-Reader Sites• JAWS

http://www.freedomscientific.com/jaws-hq.asp

• Supernovahttp://www.yourdolphin.com/productdetail.asp?id=1

• Window-Eyeshttp://www.gwmicro.com/Window-Eyes/

Q & A

Evaluation Survey Link

http://tinyurl.com/256l98

Upcoming/Archived Seminars

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http://www.cccone.org/seminars/index.php

Thanks for Attending

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http://www.cccone.org/index.php