Screen Readers

A screen reader is a software application that interprets and reads digital content aloud, enabling individuals who are blind or have low vision to interact with computers and mobile devices. It vocalizes everything on the screen, including text, links, buttons, and other user interface elements. Screen readers also allow users to navigate an interface using a keyboard and can translate the content into Braille for those who use a Braille display.

Example: A quality assurance tester is verifying the accessibility of a new website's login page. To ensure that the page is usable for people with visual impairments, they use a popular screen reader like NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access). The tester would navigate the page using only their keyboard and listen to what the screen reader announces. They would check that the screen reader correctly identifies and reads out labels for the username and password fields, and that it clearly announces when the "Sign In" button is selected. This process confirms that the login page is both perceivable and operable for users who rely on assistive technology.