In a world where everything is digitalized, it’s very important to ensure that the digital products and services available are easily accessible, that is everyone has equal access to it and no one is left behind. Individuals who are blind or visually impaired, illiterate, or have any learning disability face digital barriers as navigating through websites or digital interfaces doesn’t come easy to them. In such situations, the “screen reader” comes into play.
A screen reader is widely recognized as a technical aid that helps visually impaired individuals to have access to the digital content provided in the form of images, texts, or other elements by converting them into speech or braille output.
Key Functions of A Screen Reader
Screen reader isn’t merely a text-to-speech tool, but is a more complex application designed to provide users with comprehensive access to digital content. Some of the primary functions of a screen reader include:
1. Text-To-Speech Conversion: Screen readers help to read aloud the text displayed on the screen, including everything from documents and emails to web pages and application menus.
2. Braille Output: For individuals For prefer tactual feedback, screen readers can help them as it can output content to a braille display, which raises and lowers pins to form braille characters.
3. Navigation Assistance: Screen readers help individuals navigate through various web pages, applications, and other digital environments by announcing headlines, links, and other elements that enable efficient movement through content.
4. Keyboard Shortcuts: A screen reader helps visually impaired users by offering them several keyboard shortcuts to perform their tasks easily and quickly, as using mouse-based navigation isn’t easy for them.
How Screen Readers Work
Screen Readers work by connecting with the operating system and applications to fetch the information and interpret it. Here is a detailed and simplified breakdown to make one understand how the screen reader works:
1. Analyzing Content: The screen reader first retrieves the content given in the form of texts, images, or any other element, from the operating system or application. This includes anything given on the web content page to the labels on buttons provided in an application.
2. Interpretation of Semantics: Once the analysis of content is completed, the screen reader interprets the structure of the content. This interpretation of structure involves understanding the role of different elements like headings, tables, paragraphs, and lines and how they relate to each other following the content hierarchy.
3. Generation of Output: After the analysis and interpretation of the content, the screen reader converts it into the form of a speech or braille output. The user also has the option to control the rate of speech, choose among different voices, and even adjust the braille display settings to suit their preferences.
4. User Interaction: As the users study the content, the screen reader provides feedback in the form of audio and describes the items they interact with. Users can also make use of certain keyboard shortcuts to command the screen reader by asking it to move through the content, activate certain links, or perform other actions.
Popular Screen Readers
There are several screen readers available in the market each with its unique features made according to its users’ needs and different operating systems. Some of the most renowned screen readers include:
1. Job Access With Speech (JAWS)
JAWS is one of the widely used screen readers which is highly compatible with Windows operating systems and offers various advanced features. Scripting capabilities are one of those feature that allows the user to customize the software for specific applications.
2. NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access)
NVDA is an open-source screen reader for Windows. It’s a very popular choice among users due to its cost-effectiveness and community-driven development. It’s capable of supporting multiple languages and is compatible with a wide range of applications.
2. VoiceOver
VoiceOver is a built-in screen reader for Apple devices and is highly integrated with the Apple ecosystem such as macOS, iOS, and iPad. It provides seamless access to all Apple applications and services.
3. Narrator
The narrator comes pre-installed with Windows and is considered a basic screen reader designed for individuals who might not need the advanced features offered by JAWS or NVDA but at the same time require reliable access to navigate through digital content.
Challenges Faced By Screen Reader Users
There are a significant amount of benefits that are offered by screen readers to its users, but still, there are a few challenges that a user faces while navigating digital content. These challenges are:
1. Inconsistent Web Design:
A user can face significant challenges while using a screen reader if a website is not designed keeping the factor of easy access to all individuals in mind. One of the most common errors while designing web content is the absence of alt text, images, and links.
The alt images and texts are the descriptions of the images or animations in the text form and in the absence of alt text and images, people with visual impairment who are dependent on screen readers can not understand the visual content in the absence of alternative description.
As a result, a large portion of the population with visual disabilities is excluded from accessing online content.
2. Complex Interactions:
A screen reader might face difficulties in interpreting and navigating through websites while coming across dynamic content such as pop-ups, drop-down menus, and other interactive elements.
3. Learning Curve:
Using a screen reader can be tricky as the user has to memorize several keyboard shortcuts and understand navigation cues, which require some time and patience from the user’s end.
Conclusion:
Screen Reader has changed the lives of visually impaired people, by allowing them to have easy access to the digital content provided worldwide. It helps to convert the on-screen texts and images in the form of auditory feedback or the form of braille language and hence helps them to effectively navigate through various websites, applications, and documents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is A Screen Reader?
A screen reader is a software application that helps visually impaired users have access to digital content by converting the text, images, and other elements present over the web in the form of speech or braille output.
2. Can screen readers access all types of digital content?
Screen Reader can have access to most of the types of digital content namely text, and images (with alt text). However, if a website consists of complex visual content like charts, infographics, and certain multimedia might require some additional description or can be less accessible.
3. Are all websites compatible with screen readers?
A screen reader is not compatible with all websites. The compatibility of the screen reader heavily relies on the fact that whether the websites have been designed keep in mind the factor of accessibility. Websites that are inconsistently structured might be impossible or difficult for screen readers to navigate.
4. How can I make my website more accessible to screen readers?
The website can be made more accessible to screen readers, by following the WCAG (Web Content Accessible) guidelines. This includes the usage of proper HTML structure, ensuring easy keyboard navigability, and avoiding complex layouts.
