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? After this introduction, the floor will open to your questions! If you’ve never worked with a screen reader user before, or if you have burning questions about how people who are blind use the Internet, this is your chance! Ask any question at all in an open, safe learning environment.
Key Insights
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Screen readers are highly customizable tools that require extensive user settings for optimal functionality.
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Testing with real users and in real environments is crucial for effective accessibility evaluation.
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Screen reader users typically navigate by semantic structure (headings, landmarks) rather than linear tabbing.
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Different modalities in screen readers, like browse mode and focus mode, impact how users interact with web applications.
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Not all websites function the same as applications, and developers must manage keyboard interactions carefully.
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Mobile screen reader usage differs from desktop due to limited gestures and interaction methods.
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Providing feedback on user interactions, such as upvote or downvote buttons, is vital for accessibility but often overlooked.
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Understanding the user journey for screen reader users aids in creating more inclusive web designs.
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Debunking myths about how screen readers work can lead to better design choices from the development community.
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Accessibility design should not only focus on visibility but also on providing semantic meaning for screen reader interpretations.
Notable Quotes
"All of us at Fable think that it's so important to test not only with real users but also to test in real environments."
"A screen reader isn’t a one size fits all solution; it’s a solution that you customize to your exact needs."
"Often what happens is the web page will want to pop up a dialogue for cookie consent... if focus isn't moved, it may not be detected at all."
"There are some ways around that, such as with aria alert, but that can also interrupt whatever I was reading."
"I want to feel around... I'm just exploring the screen with my finger. I don't want to activate everything I touch."
"When I go into Google Docs, I am no longer thinking about what are the headings... it has many of the same components as an app."
"The promise that you're making when you say that your webpage behaves like an application is that you will handle every key press correctly."
"Every letter on the keyboard basically does something, and how on earth do you type into an edit box?"
"Mobile screen readers need to intercept gestures all the time because of the touchscreen environment."
"When the user changes something, it's important to ensure that not only visual property has changed but also the semantics."
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