A screen reader is a software app that converts screen text into synthetic speech and/or braille (tactile) output. The user usually works with a keyboard rather than a mouse.

Screen readers are an important consideration as they enable users who are blind or have low vision to interact with online surveys in a non-visual manner. They enable the user to determine what is on the screen and present the information in a way that allows efficient navigation of the different elements.

Whilst most commonly utilised by people who are blind or who have low vision, screen readers also help those who:

• experience cognitive difficulties or learning disabilities, like dyslexia
• are learning a language
• prefer listening to content rather than reading it

Some may also use screen readers alongside their limited vision. For example, one may consume the images and media on a web page visually while relying on a screen reader for the text-based content.

A user generally controls their screen reader with the keyboard. There are a couple of exceptions to this:

• Braille displays can also be used as the input device.
• Users with cognitive impairments (rather than sight impairments) might still use a mouse. So, for that group of users, it is vitally important that what they can see on the screen is accurately represented in an aural sense.

A screen reader comes with a library of keyboard commands that tell the screen reader to do things, like move between the different survey components of a page, move the cursor/focus around within each component, start/stop reading text, jump back to re-read a section of text, spell out words, start and stop playing a media file, etc.

Screen readers can translate text information into two forms, speech and braille. Most commonly, screen readers use text-to-speech (TTS) technology to read text content aloud in a synthesised human voice. Proficient users of TTS screen readers often increase the reading speed far past what the average person is capable of reading visually.

To see a screen reader in action, this video is recommended, showing a blind person using and describing one.

In addition to text-to-speech, some screen readers can convert onscreen text into braille. For this function, users connect an external device, called a refreshable braille display, which generates braille characters on a pad as the screen reader scans the text.

Here’s what a typical refreshable braille display looks like:

 

There are different screen readers available. Nearly all computers, tablets and smartphones have a screen reader function built in. The most popular programs are:

• JAWS (job access with speech) is a desktop screen reader for Windows. JAWS was one of the first screen readers and was launched for Windows 1.0 in 1995 and is extremely popular.
• NVDA (Non-visual desktop access) is a free, open-source screen reader for Windows computers. It is the second most used desktop screen reader.
• VoiceOver – is available (free) on all Apple products.
• TalkBack – popular on Android devices.