How do users actually interact with a web page using one? We’ll explore this problem a bit more in the last section of this article where we look a bit more closely at the different screen reader platforms. Most people tend to choose one brand of screen reader and stick with it, simply because the number of new keyboard commands they’d have to learn would be impractical. The commands used to operate JAWS, for instance, are completely different from those used in NVDA and VoiceOvers. Even though programs may share some basic similarities, each screen reader offers its own series of commands. Some of the most popular ones are JAWS (Window), NVDA (Window), VoiceOver (Mac & iOS), Talkback (Android), and ChromeVox (Chromebook).

There are over fifteen screen readers on the market today. Speech and Braille outputs are often used in conjunction with each other. Other software provides the information in Braille through a refreshable display that contains one or more rows of cells where Braille characters are formed in real-time. The audio variety screen reader converts content into speech through a text-to-speech (TTS) engine which can be perceived through speakers or earphones.

The software will then translate that content or data into a format the user is able to consume and interact with such as audible speech and Braille. As the name implies, screen readers “read” content on the computer’s screen and web browsers like text, images, and links, or content on the computer’s operating system (OS) such as icons, menus, files, applications, and folders. A 'screen reader' is a generic term used for software that helps visually impaired people use a computer. Let’s start with the most basic question. How do blind people surf the internet using a screen reader? Well, I’m glad you asked! While there are many types of platforms in use today, one of the most common for navigating and interacting with content on the internet is the screen reader. population needs some form of assistive technology to fully access the web. researchers found that an estimated 7.3 million Americans have a vision disability, ranging from impaired vision to total blindness.

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