Summary
Starting out with a ten-minute live demo from an expert screen reader user, Samuel Proulx will introduce you to not only how they work, but the thought processes behind using the Internet with a screen reader. What are some of the most important things to take into account when attempting to construct a mental model of a screen reader user? How do these effect the way you think about designing websites and apps? How can designers learn to move beyond thinking visually, to create designs that work for everyone? After this introduction, the floor will open to your questions! If you have burning questions about how people who are blind use the Internet, or what design patterns work best and why or why not, this is your chance! Ask any question at all in an open, safe learning environment.
Key Insights
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Assistive technology has evolved significantly, but user experience varies greatly depending on design choices.
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Screen reader users rely heavily on hotkeys and semantic structure for efficient navigation.
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Web pages and web applications are fundamentally different in terms of accessibility requirements.
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Collaboration with advocacy organizations can increase trust and improve recruitment of blind users for testing.
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Customization of screen reader settings is essential for personal efficiency and efficacy.
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The experience of blind users is often misunderstood; they don't navigate like sighted users might assume.
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Simplicity and consistency in design greatly enhance usability for screen reader users.
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Properly implemented ARIA attributes are crucial for complex web applications to communicate effectively with screen readers.
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Blind users often prefer desktop applications for tasks requiring significant typing due to ease of use with keyboards.
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Learning specialized hotkeys is worthwhile for frequently used applications, but can be burdensome for infrequent tasks.
Notable Quotes
"I've had the incredible privilege to see just how quickly the assistive technology and accessibility landscape was changed."
"I want to consume information as fast and as efficiently as possible to make sure that I'm on the same level as my sighted colleagues."
"Every assistive technology is not a one size fits all type of software."
"I'm skimming the top surface of a web page and then drilling down further and further."
"We use many hotkeys to allow us to replicate that visual at a glance."
"When you simplify design, you're making it easier to navigate and comprehend."
"A landmark is a way to mark off a particular piece of content and explain its role for screen reader users."
"The more complicated a web app becomes, the more necessary the RIA application attribute is."
"Mobile apps can be really, really great because of their simplified design."
"Learning specialized hotkeys adds cognitive load, so it's about trust and frequency of use."
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