Web Accessibility Testing, Part 1: Screen Readers

Web Accessibility Testing, Part 1: Screen Readers

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Technical level: Beginner

Duration: 90 minutes (estimate)

IAAP CAECs: 1.50 (This class counts toward renewal of IAAP certification)

Course Synopsis:

An overview of the screen readers JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver. How to use screen readers to navigate the web, and a systematic approach to testing webpages for accessibility using screen readers. This course is not intended to teach blind people how to use screen readers in their daily lives; however, the guidance on screen reader testing is applicable to both sighted and non-sighted accessibility testers. This course is designed to equip accessibility testers with:

  • A general understanding of what screen readers are
  • How screen readers read web sites
  • What screen readers are available
  • Why webpages should be tested with screen readers
  • The basics of how to use JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver on web sites
  • A systematic approach to testing webpages for accessibility using screen readers

Course Topics: Web Accessibility Testing, Part 1: Screen Readers

  • Screen Reader Basics
    • What Are Screen Readers?
    • Who Uses Screen Readers?
    • Why Test with Screen Readers?
    • Which Screen Readers Should You Test With?
    • Can Websites Detect Screen Readers?
    • Windows Screen Readers on a Mac
  • Characteristics of Screen Readers
    • No Visual Interface
    • No Mouse, Just Keyboard
    • Linear Content
    • Non-Linear Navigation
    • No Visual Styles
    • Pronunciation
    • Characters & Symbols
    • Abbreviations and Acronyms
    • Screen Readers Read the Accessibility API and/or DOM
    • Virtual Buffer
  • Accessibility APIs
    • Windows
    • MacOS
    • Browsers
  • Wayfinding and Reading Content with Screen Readers
    • Page Title
    • Read All Content
    • Headings
    • Landmarks
    • Lists
    • Navigating Sequentially
    • Previous and Next Items
    • Focusable Items (with Tab key)
    • Graphics
    • Links
    • Tables
    • Searching within the Page
    • Exploring Forms
  • Screen Reader Modes
    • Document/Browse/Scan Mode
    • Focus, Application, and Forms Mode
    • Table Mode
    • JAWS PC Cursor, JAWS Cursor, & Virtual PC Cursor
  • JAWS (Windows)
    • Keystrokes
    • Configuration Options
  • NVDA (Windows)
    • Keystrokes
    • Configuration Options
  • VoiceOver (iOS)
    • Gestures
    • Configuration Options
  • TalkBack (Android)
    • Gestures
    • Configuration Options
  • VoiceOver (macOS)
    • Enabling Keyboard Accessibility on a Mac
    • Keystrokes
    • Configuration Options
  • Narrator (Windows)
    • Keystrokes
    • Configuration Options
  • ChromeVox