How Screen Reader Technology Can Impact Your Business
By: Prudhvi Mandava
How often do we encounter the words, For more information, visit our website? In this increasingly digital world, it may be encountered nearly every day. But what if someone interested in learning more about your company has a visual impairment or other disability that makes reading a computer or mobile screen difficult, or even impossible?
Enter screen readers.
What is a screen reader and how do they work?
A screen reader is a type of assistive technology that does exactly what it says: it reads the computer screen for you. Screen readers are invaluable tools for enhancing the user experience of those with disabilities that prevent them from reading text on their own.
The software can relay information to the user in two different ways: speech or braille. It translates on-screen information into electronic text, which is then sent to a speech synthesizer or refreshable braille display. By pressing combinations of keys on the keyboard or braille display, the user is then able to hear the text spoken aloud or read the braille tactually. Screen readers can also provide important information about images, menus, icons, files, and dialogue boxes.
How do screen readers affect your business?
If you have a visual impairment, are you going to patronize a business that doesn’t consider your needs or one that does? To succeed in today’s digital world, companies need to present their digital content in a way that enables all customers to seek information, use their services, or purchase their products.
Complying with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and adhering to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) standards are key to providing all users of digital products a positive and productive experience. When your organization doesn’t consider how its digital content interacts with assistive technology, you could lose out on potential business and possibly get sued.
The 508 Institute can help.
For assistive technology to do its job, your website and documents must be made digitally accessible first. Making electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities is a process called 508 remediation. Remediated websites and documents allow screen readers to read content accurately and in the correct order.
The experts here at The 508 Institute are trained, experienced 508 remediators who can bring your business up to speed on how to provide accessibility to your digital documents. Our training courses teach you everything you need to know about remediating documents, testing websites for 508 compliance, and conducting rigorous quality control assessments, including the use of screen readers to conduct audio checks. In addition, we have a skilled team of writers that can create informative alt text describing all your photos, charts, and graphs, which can then be read aloud by a screen reader.
If your company needs assistance with meeting digital accessibility requirements, reach out to The 508 Institute today to help you get where you need to be.