This video covers how screen reader testing works on websites, what testers listen for, and how the process fits into a broader accessibility evaluation.
Screen reader testing involves using assistive technology to move through a website the way a person who is blind or has low vision would. Testers open a screen reader, such as NVDA, JAWS, or VoiceOver, and interact with the page using only keyboard commands. The screen reader announces page elements aloud, and the tester listens to confirm that the content is accurate, logical, and complete.
Testers evaluate several things during this process. They confirm that images have appropriate text alternatives, that form fields are properly labeled, and that interactive elements like buttons and links announce their purpose. They also check that the reading order makes sense and that no content is skipped or repeated.
Automated scans cannot replicate this process. Scans flag approximately 25% of accessibility issues by reviewing code, but they cannot determine whether a screen reader experience is coherent from a user perspective. Screen reader testing fills that space by evaluating the experience as a person would encounter it.
This type of evaluation is a core part of any accessibility audit. It is typically conducted alongside keyboard testing and visual code inspection to produce a complete picture of a website’s WCAG conformance.