Why Web Accessibility Isn’t Just About Screen Readers

For many internet users, screen readers are indispensable technologies. People with vision disabilities may use JAWS, NVDA, Apple VoiceOver, and other screen-reading software every day; if web content isn’t optimized for accessibility, those users may be left out. 

It’s understandable that non-disabled web developers often install screen readers to use when testing content (and we’re certainly not recommending against that practice). But it’s also important to understand that screen readers aren’t the only assistive technology (AT) available — and a website can work perfectly with screen readers while being largely inaccessible to other groups of users. 

Digital accessibility is about making accommodations for all types of disabilities

The World Health Organization estimates that about 1.3 billion people (16% of the global population) experience a significant disability. For comparison, about 0.5% of the global population are blind, and about 3.7% have a moderate or severe vision impairment.

Those are still big numbers: Hundreds of millions of people have significant vision impairments, and you don’t want to ignore that audience when building your website. 

But the full spectrum of disabilities is much broader. It includes: 

• Auditory Disabilities: Individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing require alternatives to audio content. Without accurate and synchronized captions for videos or transcripts for audio-only content, they may not be able to access multimedia. 
• Motor Disabilities: People with conditions like Parkinson's disease, cerebral palsy, or physical injuries may struggle with websites that demand precise mouse movements. They might prefer keyboard-only navigation (no mouse) or use alternative input devices such as switch controls, eye tracking monitors, or voice recognition software.
• Cognitive and Neurological Disabilities: This broad category includes learning disabilities, ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and memory impairments. Overly complex navigation, inconsistent layouts, distracting animations, walls of dense text, or unclear language can create significant barriers for these users. 
• Speech Disabilities: Individuals with speech disabilities may use assistive technologies for communication.

As outlined by the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), the goal of digital accessibility is to address these varied needs — along with preferences, since some people simply choose to use AT over traditional mouse-and-keyboard controls. WebAIM’s 2024 Screen Reader Survey, 10% of regular screen reader users said that they did not use screen reading software due to a disability.

Screen reader testing is a vital part of the process; it's not the entire process

Many of the basic tactics that improve websites for screen reader users will also improve access for other types of disabilities. That’s one reason that testing with screen readers is a non-negotiable part of a thorough accessibility audit.

But as a developer, designer, or team leader, you also need a truly inclusive approach — if you focus solely on screen readers, you might make key mistakes: 

• A user with low vision who doesn't use a screen reader might find the site unusable if text cannot be resized without breaking the presentation, or if there's insufficient color contrast between text and its background.
• A keyboard-only user may become trapped if interactive elements are not reachable or operable using the Tab key and other standard keyboard commands, even if a screen reader can announce those elements.
• Content that relies heavily on color-coding to convey information will be problematic for users with color vision deficiencies (CVD, also incorrectly known as colorblindness). 
• Individuals with cognitive disabilities might struggle with a screen reader-compatible site if the language is overly complex, the layout is confusing, or if unexpected pop-ups or time limits create unnecessary pressure.

We also want to note here that screen reader testing needs to go beyond a superficial check. It’s not just about whether a screen reader can read the content; it’s about the quality of the user experience. 

Is the information presented in a logical order? Can users easily navigate to different sections? Are interactive elements clearly identified and operable? If you don’t have significant aptitude with screen readers, you may not be able to answer those questions.

Related: How Do We Perform Accessibility Testing for the Impact of Visual Disabilities?

Consider the entire spectrum of abilities when building your content

Development and design teams must embrace a holistic and inclusive approach from the outset. This means shifting from a mindset of merely fixing issues for one type of assistive technology: You should be proactively designing for the widest possible range of human abilities and experiences.

Fortunately, we’ve got WCAG to help us build that approach. If you’re new to the document, we recommend starting with AudioEye’s introduction to WCAG’s POUR principles, which can be vital for building the right mindset. 

You should also include several key considerations in your content creation and web development lifecycle:

• Prioritize Semantic HTML: Using HTML elements for their intended purpose (e.g., <nav> for navigation, <button> for buttons, proper heading tags for structure) provides a naturally accessible foundation that benefits users of various assistive technologies, not just screen readers. 
• Ensure Robust Keyboard Support: Every interactive element on your website – links, buttons, form fields, custom widgets – must be operable with a keyboard alone.
• Design for Visual Clarity: This includes maintaining sufficient color contrast, allowing text resizing without loss of content or functionality, and ensuring that information conveyed with color is also available through other visual cues or text.
• Use Clear, Simple Language: Content that is easy to understand benefits users with cognitive disabilities, those who are non-native speakers, and all other users. Avoid jargon where possible or provide clear explanations for industry-specific terms.
• Involve Users with Diverse Disabilities in Testing: While automated tools and expert reviews are essential, nothing replaces testing your website with real users who have different types of disabilities. First-hand feedback can reveal usability issues that technical checks alone might miss.

Building accessibility into your processes from the beginning – is more effective and often more cost-efficient than trying to remediate issues after launch. By considering the entire spectrum of human abilities, you create a more usable, intuitive, and welcoming experience for everyone who visits your website. 

This wider lens doesn't just meet compliance requirements; it opens your digital doors to a larger audience and reflects a commitment to genuine inclusivity. To learn more, download our free eBook: Developing the Accessibility Mindset.