How People Who Are Blind Can Orientate Themselves Using a Screen Reader

Most of you who have read my blog posts or know me are aware I am completely blind. From my electronic communications you have read from me you also may understand that I use computers and mobile devices. Some probably do not know how I use these tools therefor I will explain some.  

I use a form of assistive technology called a screen reader which is software on my devices.  The screen reader reads aloud in synthesized speech the application components including the user interface controlling elements for the application enabling me to use these. My screen reader also reads web pages, web applications and the user interface elements to perform the system administration tasks for my devices. 

I think you will find the blog post A Tale of Two Rooms written by an employee I know from The Paciello Group beneficial to help you understand how a screen reader user navigates and orientates themselves on a web page or within an application. 

Does anyone have any questions to clarify anything? Do you have any other examples of how accessibility design can assist in navigation and orientation? Does anyone have an example of similar navigational and orientation techniques for people with other disabilities? 

We all look forward to hearing your valuable comments. 

Bill Tipton

Contributing Author,

Global Dialogue Center

http://www.globaldialoguecenter.com/

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/wdtipton

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bill.tipton.39

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wdtipton 

Comments

[Debbe Kennedy]

Bill, Very inspiring! Also saw your post for your wedding picture. Very cool!

Blessings,
Debbe

[Erich Manser]

Great topic for discussion, Bill. As someone slowly losing vision, and transitioning gradually from screen magnification over to screen reader, it's been interesting to note the ways I need to shift my thinking with regards to layout and design of online content. When considering how a page layout looks visually, and compare that to how it might be constructed to give a logical sequence and element order audibly. What I realize is that logical reading order and layout not only produces a better experience for a screen reader user, but for everyone else, as well. It just needs to be thought of early enough in the design process to make it "not painful", having to go back and redesign the layout later, after-the-fact! Great post!
Erich Manser