A screen reader is a form of assistive technology that converts digital text into synthesized speech or braille output. It allows people with visual impairments or reading disabilities to access and interact with digital content by audibly announcing what appears on screen, including text, buttons, images (via alt text), and navigational elements.
Screen readers are essential tools for digital accessibility, ensuring that websites, applications, and documents are usable by people with visual impairments. They serve as the primary way blind and low-vision users experience digital content, transforming what's visual into an auditory or tactile experience.
Beyond serving users with permanent visual disabilities, screen readers benefit:
By designing for screen reader compatibility, you're not just fulfilling accessibility requirements like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) or legal obligations – you're embracing inclusive design that improves the experience for everyone.
Screen readers interact with a computer's operating system to capture what's displayed and convert it to alternative formats. The core components include:
Popular screen readers include:
Screen reader users typically navigate using keyboard shortcuts rather than a mouse. They move through content sequentially or jump between elements like headings, links, or form controls.
To ensure your digital products work well with screen readers:
✅ Use semantic HTML elements (headings, lists, buttons) that inherently communicate their purpose
✅ Include descriptive alt text for images that convey meaning
✅ Create a logical content structure with properly nested headings (H1, H2, etc.)
✅ Label form fields explicitly with the <label> element
✅ Test with actual screen readers – NVDA, JAWS, and VoiceOver represent most user experiences
✅ Use ARIA attributes when necessary to enhance accessibility information
✅ Ensure keyboard navigability for all interactive elements
✅ Write descriptive link text that makes sense out of context
❌ Using visual-only cues like color or position to convey meaning ❌ Creating custom elements without proper ARIA roles and states ❌ Adding decorative images with meaningful alt text (use null alt="" instead) ❌ Hiding content from screen readers that should be accessible ❌ Using PDF documents without proper accessibility tagging ❌ Building complex interactive elements without testing screen reader compatibility ❌ Relying on placeholder text instead of proper labels ❌ Providing insufficient context for UI changes and state updates
When conducting card sorting studies, it's important to consider screen reader accessibility:
When analyzing card sorting results, consider how screen reader users might organize information differently based on their navigation patterns. They often prefer clear, logical structures with descriptive headings and minimal nesting.
Card sorting can help you discover how to organize content in ways that benefit screen reader users by:
Understanding how screen readers work is an important part of creating accessible digital experiences. When designing your next information architecture, consider testing with actual screen reader users to gain insights into their navigation preferences.
Ready to create an information architecture that works for all users? Try free card sorting to gather insights that will help you build more accessible digital products.