Screen Reader Testing for Developers: A Practical Getting Started Guide

# Screen Reader Testing for Developers: A Practical Getting Started Guide

Automated accessibility scanners are indispensable. They catch missing alt text, broken ARIA attributes, insufficient color contrast, and dozens of other WCAG violations in seconds. But automated tools can only detect roughly 30-40% of WCAG 2.1 success criteria. The remaining 60-70% requires manual testing, and the single most important manual test you can run is navigating your site with a screen reader.

Screen reader testing reveals problems that no automated scanner can catch. It tells you whether your page actually makes sense when read aloud in sequence, whether interactive components announce their state correctly, and whether a blind user can complete a checkout flow or fill out a contact form. These are the issues that determine whether a website is genuinely usable or merely passes a scan report.

If you are a developer at a web agency and you have never tested with a screen reader before, this guide will get you from zero to productive. You will set up a free screen reader, learn the core keyboard commands, follow a repeatable testing workflow, and know how to document what you find. By the end, you will have a manual testing skill that directly complements your automated scans and dramatically improves the quality of the accessibility work you deliver to clients.

Why Screen Reader Testing Matters Even with Automated Scanners

Automated scanners are excellent at structural analysis. They parse your HTML, evaluate your CSS, and check whether specific attributes exist and contain valid values. What they cannot do is understand context, intent, or user experience.

Reading order versus visual order

CSS Grid and Flexbox make it trivial to reorder elements visually without changing the DOM order. A sighted user sees a logical layout. A screen reader user hears content in DOM order, which may be completely incoherent. No automated tool checks whether reading order makes semantic sense.

Meaningful link and button text

An automated scanner can verify that a link has accessible text. It cannot tell you whether that text is useful. A page with twenty links all labeled "Read more" passes every automated check. A screen reader user pulling up the links list hears "Read more, Read more, Read more" with no way to distinguish between them.

Dynamic content and live regions

When a form submission fails and an error message appears, does the screen reader announce it? ARIA live regions control this behavior, and whether they actually work depends on the screen reader, the browser, the timing of the DOM update, and the politeness setting. Automated scanners can check whether aria-live is present in your markup. They cannot verify that the announcement actually fires at the right moment.

Custom component state

If you build a custom dropdown, accordion, or modal, automated tools can check that certain ARIA attributes exist. They cannot tell you whether the screen reader announces "expanded" when you open a dropdown and "collapsed" when you close it. They cannot tell you whether focus moves into a modal when it opens and returns to the trigger when it closes. These interaction patterns require a human operating a screen reader to verify.

Form labeling in context

A form field can have a valid element and still be confusing to a screen reader user. If your label says "Name" but there are three fields on the page labeled "Name" (one for the user, one for a billing contact, one for a shipping contact), the screen reader user has no way to know which "Name" they are currently editing without surrounding context that may not be programmatically associated.

The takeaway is straightforward: automated scanners and screen reader testing are complementary. Automated tools give you speed and coverage. Screen reader testing gives you accuracy and confidence. You need both. If you have not yet run an automated scan, start there. A11yScope's free scanner will give you a baseline report in minutes. Then use this guide to go deeper.

Setting Up Your Screen Reader

You do not need to buy anything. The two screen readers you should learn are both free, and you almost certainly already have one of them on your machine.

NVDA on Windows

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free, open-source screen reader for Windows. It is the standard tool for developer testing because it costs nothing and receives regular updates.

Installation:

Download NVDA from the official site at nvaccess.org.

Run the installer. It takes under a minute.

NVDA starts automatically after installation. You will hear a voice begin speaking immediately.

Launch NVDA at any time from the Start menu or by pressing Ctrl + Alt + N.

Essential configuration:

Set your modifier key. NVDA uses a modifier key (called the "NVDA key") for most commands. By default, this is the Insert key. On laptops without an Insert key, you can configure NVDA to use Caps Lock as the modifier instead. Open NVDA preferences with NVDA + N, then navigate to Preferences, Settings, Keyboard, and check "Use Caps Lock as an NVDA modifier key."
Choose a speech synthesizer. NVDA ships with the eSpeak NG synthesizer, which works well for testing. If you find it difficult to understand, you can switch to Windows OneCore voices in the Synthesizer settings.
Turn on focus highlighting. In Preferences, Settings, Vision, enable "Focus Highlight" so you can see which element NVDA is currently focused on. This is extremely helpful when you are learning.

Core NVDA keyboard commands:

NVDA + Space EToggle between browse mode (read content) and focus mode (interact with controls).
Tab / Shift + Tab EMove to the next or previous focusable element.
Up Arrow / Down Arrow EIn browse mode, read the previous or next line.
H / Shift + H EJump to the next or previous heading.
D / Shift + D EJump to the next or previous landmark region.
K EJump to the next link.
F EJump to the next form field.
T EJump to the next table.
Enter EActivate a link or button.
Space EActivate a button or toggle a control.
NVDA + F7 EOpen the Elements List (links, headings, form fields, buttons, or landmarks on the page).
Ctrl EStop speech immediately.
NVDA + Q EQuit NVDA.

Testing browser: Use NVDA with Firefox for best compatibility. Chrome also works well for most scenarios.

VoiceOver on macOS

VoiceOver is Apple's built-in screen reader, already installed on every Mac.

Launching VoiceOver:

Press Cmd + F5 to toggle VoiceOver on and off.

The VoiceOver modifier key:

VoiceOver commands use a modifier called the "VO key," which is Ctrl + Option pressed together. In this guide, VO is shorthand for Ctrl + Option.

Core VoiceOver keyboard commands:

VO + Right Arrow / VO + Left Arrow EMove to the next or previous element.
VO + Space EActivate the current element.
Tab / Shift + Tab EMove to the next or previous focusable element.
VO + U EOpen the Rotor (VoiceOver's equivalent of NVDA's Elements List). Use Left/Right arrows to switch categories, Up/Down to navigate within a category.
VO + Cmd + H / VO + Cmd + Shift + H EJump to the next or previous heading.
VO + Cmd + L EJump to the next link.
VO + Cmd + J EJump to the next form control.
VO + Cmd + T EJump to the next table.
Ctrl EStop speech immediately.
VO + A EStart reading from the current position.
Cmd + F5 ETurn off VoiceOver.

Testing browser: Use VoiceOver with Safari. Apple develops VoiceOver and Safari together, and the combination has the best ARIA support on macOS.

Which screen reader should you use?

Test with the screen reader that matches your operating system. If you are on Windows, use NVDA with Firefox. If you are on macOS, use VoiceOver with Safari. For agency work where cross-platform coverage matters, test with both.

The Screen Reader Testing Workflow

Turning on a screen reader and randomly navigating is not testing. Use the following structured workflow for every page you test.

Step 1: Test the page title

When you load a page, the screen reader announces the </code> element. Verify that the title is descriptive and unique. "Home - CompanyName" is fine. "Untitled" or a duplicated title across pages is a failure.</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Step 2: Navigate by landmarks</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Use landmark navigation (<code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">D</code> in NVDA, or the Rotor landmarks category in VoiceOver) to move through the page's landmark regions. A well-structured page should have:</p> <ul class="list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4"><li class="ml-4"><strong>banner</strong> EThe site header (<code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><header></code> as a direct child of <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><body></code>).</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>navigation</strong> EThe primary navigation (<code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><nav></code>). Multiple nav elements should each have a unique <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">aria-label</code>.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>main</strong> EThe main content area (<code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><main></code>). There should be exactly one.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>contentinfo</strong> EThe site footer (<code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><footer></code> as a direct child of <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><body></code>).</li> </ul> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Missing landmarks or multiple navigation landmarks with no distinguishing labels are findings to document.</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Step 3: Navigate by headings</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Use heading navigation (<code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">H</code> in NVDA, <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">VO + Cmd + H</code> in VoiceOver) to move through the hierarchy. Open the headings list (<code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">NVDA + F7</code> then select Headings, or <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">VO + U</code> then arrow to Headings) to see the full outline. Check for:</p> <ul class="list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4"><li class="ml-4"><strong>Exactly one <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><h1></code></strong> that describes the page content.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>No skipped levels</strong> in the heading hierarchy (e.g., <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><h2></code> jumping to <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><h4></code>).</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Descriptive heading text.</strong> "Shipping Options" is useful. "Section" is not.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Content sections without headings</strong> that screen reader users cannot jump to.</li> </ul> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Step 4: Test interactive elements with the keyboard</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Press <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">Tab</code> to move through every interactive element. For each one, check:</p> <ul class="list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4"><li class="ml-4"><strong>Is it reachable with Tab?</strong> Unreachable elements are completely inaccessible.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Does it have a descriptive accessible name?</strong> "Submit order" is good. "Button" alone is a failure.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Is the focus order logical?</strong> Watch for focus jumping past main content.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Is the focus indicator visible?</strong> If you cannot tell which element is focused, sighted keyboard users cannot either.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Does the role match the behavior?</strong> Something that looks like a button should be announced as a button, not a link.</li> </ul> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Step 5: Test forms</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Forms are where screen reader testing delivers the most value. For each form:</p> <ul class="list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4"><li class="ml-4"><strong>Are all fields labeled?</strong> The screen reader should announce a descriptive label for each input.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Are required fields announced as required?</strong> The <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">required</code> attribute or <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">aria-required="true"</code> handles this.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Do error messages get announced?</strong> Submit invalid data and listen. If errors appear visually but the screen reader stays silent, you have a live region problem.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Is error association correct?</strong> Error messages should be linked to fields using <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">aria-describedby</code>.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Do grouped fields have group labels?</strong> Radio buttons should be in a <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><fieldset></code> with a <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><legend></code>.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Do custom controls work?</strong> Test that custom dropdowns, date pickers, and other custom components can be operated and announce their state correctly.</li> </ul> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Step 6: Test dynamic content</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Interact with every component that changes the page without a full reload:</p> <ul class="list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4"><li class="ml-4"><strong>Modals:</strong> Does focus move into the modal? Can you Tab without focus escaping behind it? Does focus return to the trigger when it closes?</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Accordions:</strong> Does the screen reader announce "expanded" and "collapsed"?</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Tab panels:</strong> Can you navigate between tabs with arrow keys?</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Notifications and alerts:</strong> Does the screen reader announce toast messages without the user navigating to find them? This requires <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">aria-live</code> or <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">role="alert"</code>.</li> </ul> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Step 7: Test images and media</h3> <ul class="list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4"><li class="ml-4"><strong>Informative images</strong> should have meaningful alt text describing content or purpose.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Decorative images</strong> with <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">alt=""</code> should not be announced at all.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Videos</strong> should have captions available.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Audio players</strong> should have keyboard-accessible, labeled controls.</li> </ul> <h2 class="text-2xl font-bold mt-10 mb-4">Common Problems You Will Discover</h2> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">After testing dozens of sites, you will notice the same issues repeatedly. Knowing what to expect makes testing faster.</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Meaningless link text</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Links that say "click here," "read more," or "learn more" are meaningless out of context. Screen reader users navigate by pulling up a list of all links (<code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">NVDA + F7</code> or the VoiceOver Rotor). Twenty links labeled "Read more" make the page unusable for link-based navigation.</p> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4"><strong>The fix:</strong> Make every link's text describe its destination. If changing the visible text is not possible, use <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">aria-label</code> or a visually-hidden text pattern.</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Missing or broken live regions</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">When dynamic content appears (form errors, cart updates, notifications), screen reader users will not know it exists without ARIA live regions. Common failures:</p> <ul class="list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4"><li class="ml-4"><strong>No live region at all.</strong> Content appears visually but the screen reader says nothing.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Live region added dynamically.</strong> The <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">aria-live</code> container must exist in the DOM before the content changes, or some screen readers miss the announcement.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Wrong politeness setting.</strong> <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">aria-live="assertive"</code> or <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">role="alert"</code> interrupts immediately (use for errors). <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">aria-live="polite"</code> waits for the current announcement to finish (use for status updates).</li> </ul> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Broken tab order</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">CSS layout changes and absolute positioning frequently cause the tab order to diverge from visual order. Focus jumps to unexpected locations, which is disorienting for all keyboard users.</p> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4"><strong>The fix:</strong> Never use positive <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">tabindex</code> values (like <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">tabindex="2"</code>). Ensure DOM order matches visual order. If you use CSS Grid or Flexbox <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">order</code> properties, verify that the resulting tab order still makes sense.</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Unlabeled form controls</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Automated scanners catch inputs with no <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><label></code>, but they miss labels that are technically present but misleading: identical labels for different fields, placeholder text as the only label, or icon buttons with no <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">aria-label</code> announced simply as "button."</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Focus management failures</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">When a modal dialog opens, keyboard focus must move into the modal. When the modal closes, focus must return to the triggering element. In single-page applications, when a route change occurs, focus should move to the new page's main content or heading so the screen reader user knows the page has changed. These focus management patterns are almost never handled correctly without deliberate implementation, and they are impossible for automated scanners to verify.</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Tables without proper headers</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Data tables need <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm"><th></code> elements for column and row headers, and complex tables need <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">scope</code> attributes or <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">headers</code>/<code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">id</code> associations. Without these, a screen reader user hearing "John, 42, New York" has no idea that "John" is a name, "42" is an age, and "New York" is a city. The screen reader simply reads the cell contents in sequence with no context.</p> <h2 class="text-2xl font-bold mt-10 mb-4">Recording and Documenting Screen Reader Findings</h2> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Screen reader testing is only useful if you document findings in a way that other developers can act on.</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">What to record for each issue</h3> <ul class="list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4"><li class="ml-4"><strong>Page URL</strong> where the issue occurs.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Issue description.</strong> "The 'Add to cart' button is announced as 'button' with no accessible name" is actionable. "Button is broken" is not.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Steps to reproduce.</strong> Exact navigation steps to encounter the issue.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Screen reader and browser.</strong> Always note the combination, e.g., "NVDA 2025.1, Firefox 135."</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>WCAG success criterion.</strong> Reference the specific criterion violated (e.g., 4.1.2 for unlabeled controls).</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Severity.</strong> Critical (blocks a task), serious (very difficult), moderate (confusing but completable), or minor (best practice).</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Recommended fix.</strong> A specific code-level suggestion.</li> </ul> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Documentation tools</h3> <ul class="list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4"><li class="ml-4"><strong>Screen recording</strong> with audio captures the screen reader output. Use OBS, the macOS recorder (<code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">Cmd + Shift + 5</code>), or the Windows Snipping Tool recorder.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Browser DevTools</strong> Accessibility Inspector shows computed accessible names and roles, supplementing what you hear.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Issue templates</strong> in a spreadsheet or tracker ensure consistency across your team.</li> </ul> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Prioritizing findings</h3> <li class="ml-4 list-decimal"><strong>Critical:</strong> Users cannot complete a primary task. Fix immediately.</li> <li class="ml-4 list-decimal"><strong>Serious:</strong> Task completion with significant difficulty. Fix this sprint.</li> <li class="ml-4 list-decimal"><strong>Moderate:</strong> Suboptimal but functional. Schedule for next sprint.</li> <li class="ml-4 list-decimal"><strong>Minor:</strong> Best-practice improvements. Add to backlog.</li> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">For a deeper look at systematic auditing that combines automated and manual findings, see our <a href="/blog/website-accessibility-audit-guide" class="text-primary hover:text-primary-dark underline" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">website accessibility audit guide</a>.</p> <h2 class="text-2xl font-bold mt-10 mb-4">Combining Automated and Manual Testing for Full Coverage</h2> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">The most effective workflow uses automated scanning as the foundation and screen reader testing as the verification layer.</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Start with an automated scan</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Run your site through an automated scanner first. This catches missing alt text, empty links, form label issues, color contrast failures, and invalid ARIA attributes. Fix these before manual testing. There is no point in firing up a screen reader to find issues a scanner catches in milliseconds.</p> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">If you are not already running automated scans, <a href="/" class="text-primary hover:text-primary-dark underline" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A11yScope's free scanner</a> will analyze your pages against WCAG 2.1 and give you a prioritized violation list. Address automated findings first, then move to the manual testing workflow in this guide.</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Layer in screen reader testing</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Once your scan results are clean, begin the screen reader workflow. Focus on areas where automation is blind: reading order, link text quality in context, form interaction flows, dynamic content announcements, focus management, and custom component interaction patterns.</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Retest after fixes</h3> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">After developers implement fixes, retest with the screen reader. A scanner can verify that an <code class="bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm">aria-label</code> was added, but only a screen reader test confirms the announcement sounds correct in context.</p> <h3 class="text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3">Make it part of your process</h3> <ul class="list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4"><li class="ml-4"><strong>During development:</strong> Test new components with a screen reader before merging. It takes five minutes.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>During QA:</strong> Include screen reader checkpoints in your QA checklist.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>During client handoffs:</strong> Include screen reader testing notes in your accessibility documentation.</li> <li class="ml-4"><strong>Ongoing monitoring:</strong> A11yScope's <a href="/#pricing" class="text-primary hover:text-primary-dark underline" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Pro plan</a> provides continuous automated monitoring that alerts you when new issues appear, so you know when to run manual verification again.</li> </ul> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">For a practical guide on fixing automated scanner findings before beginning manual testing, see our article on how to <a href="/blog/fix-accessibility-issues-automated-scanners" class="text-primary hover:text-primary-dark underline" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">fix accessibility issues</a> found by automated scanners.</p> <h2 class="text-2xl font-bold mt-10 mb-4">Getting Started Today</h2> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">You do not need to become a screen reader expert overnight. Start with these steps:</p> <li class="ml-4 list-decimal"><strong>Install NVDA or turn on VoiceOver.</strong> Spend ten minutes navigating a website you know well. Get comfortable with Tab, arrow keys, heading jumps, and the elements list or Rotor.</li> <li class="ml-4 list-decimal"><strong>Test one page on a current project.</strong> Follow the seven-step workflow in this guide. Document every issue you find.</li> <li class="ml-4 list-decimal"><strong>Fix the critical issues.</strong> Then retest to confirm the fixes work.</li> <li class="ml-4 list-decimal"><strong>Run an automated scan.</strong> Use <a href="/" class="text-primary hover:text-primary-dark underline" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">A11yScope's free scanner</a> to catch everything the screen reader testing did not cover, and compare the two sets of results.</li> <li class="ml-4 list-decimal"><strong>Make it routine.</strong> Add screen reader testing to your definition of done for new components and features. Five minutes of testing during development saves hours of remediation after launch.</li> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">Screen reader testing is a skill that improves with practice. The first time you use a screen reader, it will feel slow and unfamiliar. By your tenth session, you will be navigating pages fluently and spotting issues instantly. The developers who invest in learning this skill deliver genuinely accessible websites, not just websites that pass an automated scan.</p> <p class="text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4">The combination of automated scanning for breadth and screen reader testing for depth is what separates adequate accessibility work from excellent accessibility work. Start with automation, layer in manual testing, and you will be delivering a level of quality that most agencies never reach.</p></div><div class="mt-16 bg-blue-50 rounded-2xl p-8 text-center space-y-4"><h3 class="text-xl font-bold text-foreground">Check your website's accessibility now</h3><p class="text-muted">Free instant scan. No sign-up required.</p><a class="inline-block bg-primary text-white font-bold px-8 py-3 rounded-xl hover:bg-primary-dark transition-colors" href="/">Scan Your Website Free</a></div></article></div><script src="/_next/static/chunks/72e142f30eb8f380.js" id="_R_" 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class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003e# Screen Reader Testing for Developers: A Practical Getting Started Guide\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eAutomated accessibility scanners are indispensable. They catch missing alt text, broken ARIA attributes, insufficient color contrast, and dozens of other WCAG violations in seconds. But automated tools can only detect roughly 30-40% of WCAG 2.1 success criteria. The remaining 60-70% requires manual testing, and the single most important manual test you can run is navigating your site with a screen reader.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eScreen reader testing reveals problems that no automated scanner can catch. It tells you whether your page actually makes sense when read aloud in sequence, whether interactive components announce their state correctly, and whether a blind user can complete a checkout flow or fill out a contact form. These are the issues that determine whether a website is genuinely usable or merely passes a scan report.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eIf you are a developer at a web agency and you have never tested with a screen reader before, this guide will get you from zero to productive. You will set up a free screen reader, learn the core keyboard commands, follow a repeatable testing workflow, and know how to document what you find. By the end, you will have a manual testing skill that directly complements your automated scans and dramatically improves the quality of the accessibility work you deliver to clients.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold mt-10 mb-4\"\u003eWhy Screen Reader Testing Matters Even with Automated Scanners\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eAutomated scanners are excellent at structural analysis. They parse your HTML, evaluate your CSS, and check whether specific attributes exist and contain valid values. What they cannot do is understand context, intent, or user experience.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eReading order versus visual order\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eCSS Grid and Flexbox make it trivial to reorder elements visually without changing the DOM order. A sighted user sees a logical layout. A screen reader user hears content in DOM order, which may be completely incoherent. No automated tool checks whether reading order makes semantic sense.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eMeaningful link and button text\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eAn automated scanner can verify that a link has accessible text. It cannot tell you whether that text is useful. A page with twenty links all labeled \"Read more\" passes every automated check. A screen reader user pulling up the links list hears \"Read more, Read more, Read more\" with no way to distinguish between them.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eDynamic content and live regions\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eWhen a form submission fails and an error message appears, does the screen reader announce it? ARIA live regions control this behavior, and whether they actually work depends on the screen reader, the browser, the timing of the DOM update, and the politeness setting. Automated scanners can check whether \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003earia-live\u003c/code\u003e is present in your markup. They cannot verify that the announcement actually fires at the right moment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eCustom component state\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eIf you build a custom dropdown, accordion, or modal, automated tools can check that certain ARIA attributes exist. They cannot tell you whether the screen reader announces \"expanded\" when you open a dropdown and \"collapsed\" when you close it. They cannot tell you whether focus moves into a modal when it opens and returns to the trigger when it closes. These interaction patterns require a human operating a screen reader to verify.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eForm labeling in context\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eA form field can have a valid \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003clabel\u003e\u003c/code\u003e element and still be confusing to a screen reader user. If your label says \"Name\" but there are three fields on the page labeled \"Name\" (one for the user, one for a billing contact, one for a shipping contact), the screen reader user has no way to know which \"Name\" they are currently editing without surrounding context that may not be programmatically associated.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eThe takeaway is straightforward: automated scanners and screen reader testing are complementary. Automated tools give you speed and coverage. Screen reader testing gives you accuracy and confidence. You need both. If you have not yet run an automated scan, start there. \u003ca href=\"/\" class=\"text-primary hover:text-primary-dark underline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eA11yScope's free scanner\u003c/a\u003e will give you a baseline report in minutes. Then use this guide to go deeper.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold mt-10 mb-4\"\u003eSetting Up Your Screen Reader\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eYou do not need to buy anything. The two screen readers you should learn are both free, and you almost certainly already have one of them on your machine.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eNVDA on Windows\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eNVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) is a free, open-source screen reader for Windows. It is the standard tool for developer testing because it costs nothing and receives regular updates.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstallation:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003eDownload NVDA from the official site at nvaccess.org.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003eRun the installer. It takes under a minute.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003eNVDA starts automatically after installation. You will hear a voice begin speaking immediately.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003eLaunch NVDA at any time from the Start menu or by pressing \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eCtrl + Alt + N\u003c/code\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEssential configuration:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSet your modifier key.\u003c/strong\u003e NVDA uses a modifier key (called the \"NVDA key\") for most commands. By default, this is the \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eInsert\u003c/code\u003e key. On laptops without an Insert key, you can configure NVDA to use \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eCaps Lock\u003c/code\u003e as the modifier instead. Open NVDA preferences with \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eNVDA + N\u003c/code\u003e, then navigate to Preferences, Settings, Keyboard, and check \"Use Caps Lock as an NVDA modifier key.\"\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChoose a speech synthesizer.\u003c/strong\u003e NVDA ships with the eSpeak NG synthesizer, which works well for testing. If you find it difficult to understand, you can switch to Windows OneCore voices in the Synthesizer settings.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTurn on focus highlighting.\u003c/strong\u003e In Preferences, Settings, Vision, enable \"Focus Highlight\" so you can see which element NVDA is currently focused on. This is extremely helpful when you are learning.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCore NVDA keyboard commands:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eNVDA + Space\u003c/code\u003e EToggle between browse mode (read content) and focus mode (interact with controls).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eTab\u003c/code\u003e / \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eShift + Tab\u003c/code\u003e EMove to the next or previous focusable element.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eUp Arrow\u003c/code\u003e / \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eDown Arrow\u003c/code\u003e EIn browse mode, read the previous or next line.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eH\u003c/code\u003e / \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eShift + H\u003c/code\u003e EJump to the next or previous heading.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eD\u003c/code\u003e / \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eShift + D\u003c/code\u003e EJump to the next or previous landmark region.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eK\u003c/code\u003e EJump to the next link.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eF\u003c/code\u003e EJump to the next form field.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eT\u003c/code\u003e EJump to the next table.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eEnter\u003c/code\u003e EActivate a link or button.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eSpace\u003c/code\u003e EActivate a button or toggle a control.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eNVDA + F7\u003c/code\u003e EOpen the Elements List (links, headings, form fields, buttons, or landmarks on the page).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eCtrl\u003c/code\u003e EStop speech immediately.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eNVDA + Q\u003c/code\u003e EQuit NVDA.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTesting browser:\u003c/strong\u003e Use NVDA with Firefox for best compatibility. Chrome also works well for most scenarios.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eVoiceOver on macOS\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eVoiceOver is Apple's built-in screen reader, already installed on every Mac.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLaunching VoiceOver:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003ePress \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eCmd + F5\u003c/code\u003e to toggle VoiceOver on and off.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe VoiceOver modifier key:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eVoiceOver commands use a modifier called the \"VO key,\" which is \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eCtrl + Option\u003c/code\u003e pressed together. In this guide, \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO\u003c/code\u003e is shorthand for \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eCtrl + Option\u003c/code\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCore VoiceOver keyboard commands:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + Right Arrow\u003c/code\u003e / \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + Left Arrow\u003c/code\u003e EMove to the next or previous element.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + Space\u003c/code\u003e EActivate the current element.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eTab\u003c/code\u003e / \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eShift + Tab\u003c/code\u003e EMove to the next or previous focusable element.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + U\u003c/code\u003e EOpen the Rotor (VoiceOver's equivalent of NVDA's Elements List). Use Left/Right arrows to switch categories, Up/Down to navigate within a category.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + Cmd + H\u003c/code\u003e / \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + Cmd + Shift + H\u003c/code\u003e EJump to the next or previous heading.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + Cmd + L\u003c/code\u003e EJump to the next link.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + Cmd + J\u003c/code\u003e EJump to the next form control.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + Cmd + T\u003c/code\u003e EJump to the next table.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eCtrl\u003c/code\u003e EStop speech immediately.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + A\u003c/code\u003e EStart reading from the current position.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eCmd + F5\u003c/code\u003e ETurn off VoiceOver.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTesting browser:\u003c/strong\u003e Use VoiceOver with Safari. Apple develops VoiceOver and Safari together, and the combination has the best ARIA support on macOS.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eWhich screen reader should you use?\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eTest with the screen reader that matches your operating system. If you are on Windows, use NVDA with Firefox. If you are on macOS, use VoiceOver with Safari. For agency work where cross-platform coverage matters, test with both.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold mt-10 mb-4\"\u003eThe Screen Reader Testing Workflow\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eTurning on a screen reader and randomly navigating is not testing. Use the following structured workflow for every page you test.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eStep 1: Test the page title\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eWhen you load a page, the screen reader announces the \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003ctitle\u003e\u003c/code\u003e element. Verify that the title is descriptive and unique. \"Home - CompanyName\" is fine. \"Untitled\" or a duplicated title across pages is a failure.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eStep 2: Navigate by landmarks\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eUse landmark navigation (\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eD\u003c/code\u003e in NVDA, or the Rotor landmarks category in VoiceOver) to move through the page's landmark regions. A well-structured page should have:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ebanner\u003c/strong\u003e EThe site header (\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003cheader\u003e\u003c/code\u003e as a direct child of \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003cbody\u003e\u003c/code\u003e).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003enavigation\u003c/strong\u003e EThe primary navigation (\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003cnav\u003e\u003c/code\u003e). Multiple nav elements should each have a unique \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003earia-label\u003c/code\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003emain\u003c/strong\u003e EThe main content area (\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003cmain\u003e\u003c/code\u003e). There should be exactly one.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003econtentinfo\u003c/strong\u003e EThe site footer (\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003cfooter\u003e\u003c/code\u003e as a direct child of \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003cbody\u003e\u003c/code\u003e).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eMissing landmarks or multiple navigation landmarks with no distinguishing labels are findings to document.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eStep 3: Navigate by headings\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eUse heading navigation (\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eH\u003c/code\u003e in NVDA, \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + Cmd + H\u003c/code\u003e in VoiceOver) to move through the hierarchy. Open the headings list (\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eNVDA + F7\u003c/code\u003e then select Headings, or \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eVO + U\u003c/code\u003e then arrow to Headings) to see the full outline. Check for:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExactly one \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003ch1\u003e\u003c/code\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e that describes the page content.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo skipped levels\u003c/strong\u003e in the heading hierarchy (e.g., \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003e\u003c/code\u003e jumping to \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003ch4\u003e\u003c/code\u003e).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescriptive heading text.\u003c/strong\u003e \"Shipping Options\" is useful. \"Section\" is not.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContent sections without headings\u003c/strong\u003e that screen reader users cannot jump to.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eStep 4: Test interactive elements with the keyboard\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003ePress \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eTab\u003c/code\u003e to move through every interactive element. For each one, check:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it reachable with Tab?\u003c/strong\u003e Unreachable elements are completely inaccessible.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it have a descriptive accessible name?\u003c/strong\u003e \"Submit order\" is good. \"Button\" alone is a failure.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the focus order logical?\u003c/strong\u003e Watch for focus jumping past main content.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the focus indicator visible?\u003c/strong\u003e If you cannot tell which element is focused, sighted keyboard users cannot either.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes the role match the behavior?\u003c/strong\u003e Something that looks like a button should be announced as a button, not a link.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eStep 5: Test forms\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eForms are where screen reader testing delivers the most value. For each form:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre all fields labeled?\u003c/strong\u003e The screen reader should announce a descriptive label for each input.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre required fields announced as required?\u003c/strong\u003e The \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003erequired\u003c/code\u003e attribute or \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003earia-required=\"true\"\u003c/code\u003e handles this.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo error messages get announced?\u003c/strong\u003e Submit invalid data and listen. If errors appear visually but the screen reader stays silent, you have a live region problem.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs error association correct?\u003c/strong\u003e Error messages should be linked to fields using \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003earia-describedby\u003c/code\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo grouped fields have group labels?\u003c/strong\u003e Radio buttons should be in a \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003cfieldset\u003e\u003c/code\u003e with a \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003clegend\u003e\u003c/code\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo custom controls work?\u003c/strong\u003e Test that custom dropdowns, date pickers, and other custom components can be operated and announce their state correctly.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eStep 6: Test dynamic content\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eInteract with every component that changes the page without a full reload:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModals:\u003c/strong\u003e Does focus move into the modal? Can you Tab without focus escaping behind it? Does focus return to the trigger when it closes?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccordions:\u003c/strong\u003e Does the screen reader announce \"expanded\" and \"collapsed\"?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTab panels:\u003c/strong\u003e Can you navigate between tabs with arrow keys?\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotifications and alerts:\u003c/strong\u003e Does the screen reader announce toast messages without the user navigating to find them? This requires \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003earia-live\u003c/code\u003e or \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003erole=\"alert\"\u003c/code\u003e.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eStep 7: Test images and media\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInformative images\u003c/strong\u003e should have meaningful alt text describing content or purpose.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDecorative images\u003c/strong\u003e with \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003ealt=\"\"\u003c/code\u003e should not be announced at all.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVideos\u003c/strong\u003e should have captions available.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAudio players\u003c/strong\u003e should have keyboard-accessible, labeled controls.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold mt-10 mb-4\"\u003eCommon Problems You Will Discover\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eAfter testing dozens of sites, you will notice the same issues repeatedly. Knowing what to expect makes testing faster.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eMeaningless link text\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eLinks that say \"click here,\" \"read more,\" or \"learn more\" are meaningless out of context. Screen reader users navigate by pulling up a list of all links (\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eNVDA + F7\u003c/code\u003e or the VoiceOver Rotor). Twenty links labeled \"Read more\" make the page unusable for link-based navigation.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe fix:\u003c/strong\u003e Make every link's text describe its destination. If changing the visible text is not possible, use \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003earia-label\u003c/code\u003e or a visually-hidden text pattern.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eMissing or broken live regions\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eWhen dynamic content appears (form errors, cart updates, notifications), screen reader users will not know it exists without ARIA live regions. Common failures:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo live region at all.\u003c/strong\u003e Content appears visually but the screen reader says nothing.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLive region added dynamically.\u003c/strong\u003e The \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003earia-live\u003c/code\u003e container must exist in the DOM before the content changes, or some screen readers miss the announcement.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWrong politeness setting.\u003c/strong\u003e \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003earia-live=\"assertive\"\u003c/code\u003e or \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003erole=\"alert\"\u003c/code\u003e interrupts immediately (use for errors). \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003earia-live=\"polite\"\u003c/code\u003e waits for the current announcement to finish (use for status updates).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eBroken tab order\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eCSS layout changes and absolute positioning frequently cause the tab order to diverge from visual order. Focus jumps to unexpected locations, which is disorienting for all keyboard users.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe fix:\u003c/strong\u003e Never use positive \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003etabindex\u003c/code\u003e values (like \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003etabindex=\"2\"\u003c/code\u003e). Ensure DOM order matches visual order. If you use CSS Grid or Flexbox \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eorder\u003c/code\u003e properties, verify that the resulting tab order still makes sense.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eUnlabeled form controls\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eAutomated scanners catch inputs with no \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003clabel\u003e\u003c/code\u003e, but they miss labels that are technically present but misleading: identical labels for different fields, placeholder text as the only label, or icon buttons with no \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003earia-label\u003c/code\u003e announced simply as \"button.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eFocus management failures\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eWhen a modal dialog opens, keyboard focus must move into the modal. When the modal closes, focus must return to the triggering element. In single-page applications, when a route change occurs, focus should move to the new page's main content or heading so the screen reader user knows the page has changed. These focus management patterns are almost never handled correctly without deliberate implementation, and they are impossible for automated scanners to verify.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eTables without proper headers\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eData tables need \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003e\u003cth\u003e\u003c/code\u003e elements for column and row headers, and complex tables need \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003escope\u003c/code\u003e attributes or \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eheaders\u003c/code\u003e/\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eid\u003c/code\u003e associations. Without these, a screen reader user hearing \"John, 42, New York\" has no idea that \"John\" is a name, \"42\" is an age, and \"New York\" is a city. The screen reader simply reads the cell contents in sequence with no context.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold mt-10 mb-4\"\u003eRecording and Documenting Screen Reader Findings\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eScreen reader testing is only useful if you document findings in a way that other developers can act on.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eWhat to record for each issue\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePage URL\u003c/strong\u003e where the issue occurs.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssue description.\u003c/strong\u003e \"The 'Add to cart' button is announced as 'button' with no accessible name\" is actionable. \"Button is broken\" is not.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSteps to reproduce.\u003c/strong\u003e Exact navigation steps to encounter the issue.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScreen reader and browser.\u003c/strong\u003e Always note the combination, e.g., \"NVDA 2025.1, Firefox 135.\"\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWCAG success criterion.\u003c/strong\u003e Reference the specific criterion violated (e.g., 4.1.2 for unlabeled controls).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeverity.\u003c/strong\u003e Critical (blocks a task), serious (very difficult), moderate (confusing but completable), or minor (best practice).\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRecommended fix.\u003c/strong\u003e A specific code-level suggestion.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eDocumentation tools\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScreen recording\u003c/strong\u003e with audio captures the screen reader output. Use OBS, the macOS recorder (\u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003eCmd + Shift + 5\u003c/code\u003e), or the Windows Snipping Tool recorder.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrowser DevTools\u003c/strong\u003e Accessibility Inspector shows computed accessible names and roles, supplementing what you hear.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssue templates\u003c/strong\u003e in a spreadsheet or tracker ensure consistency across your team.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003ePrioritizing findings\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritical:\u003c/strong\u003e Users cannot complete a primary task. Fix immediately.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSerious:\u003c/strong\u003e Task completion with significant difficulty. Fix this sprint.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModerate:\u003c/strong\u003e Suboptimal but functional. Schedule for next sprint.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinor:\u003c/strong\u003e Best-practice improvements. Add to backlog.\u003c/li\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eFor a deeper look at systematic auditing that combines automated and manual findings, see our \u003ca href=\"/blog/website-accessibility-audit-guide\" class=\"text-primary hover:text-primary-dark underline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ewebsite accessibility audit guide\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold mt-10 mb-4\"\u003eCombining Automated and Manual Testing for Full Coverage\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eThe most effective workflow uses automated scanning as the foundation and screen reader testing as the verification layer.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eStart with an automated scan\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eRun your site through an automated scanner first. This catches missing alt text, empty links, form label issues, color contrast failures, and invalid ARIA attributes. Fix these before manual testing. There is no point in firing up a screen reader to find issues a scanner catches in milliseconds.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eIf you are not already running automated scans, \u003ca href=\"/\" class=\"text-primary hover:text-primary-dark underline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eA11yScope's free scanner\u003c/a\u003e will analyze your pages against WCAG 2.1 and give you a prioritized violation list. Address automated findings first, then move to the manual testing workflow in this guide.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eLayer in screen reader testing\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eOnce your scan results are clean, begin the screen reader workflow. Focus on areas where automation is blind: reading order, link text quality in context, form interaction flows, dynamic content announcements, focus management, and custom component interaction patterns.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eRetest after fixes\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eAfter developers implement fixes, retest with the screen reader. A scanner can verify that an \u003ccode class=\"bg-gray-100 text-red-700 px-1.5 py-0.5 rounded text-sm\"\u003earia-label\u003c/code\u003e was added, but only a screen reader test confirms the announcement sounds correct in context.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 class=\"text-xl font-bold mt-8 mb-3\"\u003eMake it part of your process\u003c/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul class=\"list-disc space-y-2 my-4 pl-4\"\u003e\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDuring development:\u003c/strong\u003e Test new components with a screen reader before merging. It takes five minutes.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDuring QA:\u003c/strong\u003e Include screen reader checkpoints in your QA checklist.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDuring client handoffs:\u003c/strong\u003e Include screen reader testing notes in your accessibility documentation.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOngoing monitoring:\u003c/strong\u003e A11yScope's \u003ca href=\"/#pricing\" class=\"text-primary hover:text-primary-dark underline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003ePro plan\u003c/a\u003e provides continuous automated monitoring that alerts you when new issues appear, so you know when to run manual verification again.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eFor a practical guide on fixing automated scanner findings before beginning manual testing, see our article on how to \u003ca href=\"/blog/fix-accessibility-issues-automated-scanners\" class=\"text-primary hover:text-primary-dark underline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003efix accessibility issues\u003c/a\u003e found by automated scanners.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 class=\"text-2xl font-bold mt-10 mb-4\"\u003eGetting Started Today\u003c/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eYou do not need to become a screen reader expert overnight. Start with these steps:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eInstall NVDA or turn on VoiceOver.\u003c/strong\u003e Spend ten minutes navigating a website you know well. Get comfortable with Tab, arrow keys, heading jumps, and the elements list or Rotor.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTest one page on a current project.\u003c/strong\u003e Follow the seven-step workflow in this guide. Document every issue you find.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFix the critical issues.\u003c/strong\u003e Then retest to confirm the fixes work.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRun an automated scan.\u003c/strong\u003e Use \u003ca href=\"/\" class=\"text-primary hover:text-primary-dark underline\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"\u003eA11yScope's free scanner\u003c/a\u003e to catch everything the screen reader testing did not cover, and compare the two sets of results.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"ml-4 list-decimal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMake it routine.\u003c/strong\u003e Add screen reader testing to your definition of done for new components and features. Five minutes of testing during development saves hours of remediation after launch.\u003c/li\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eScreen reader testing is a skill that improves with practice. The first time you use a screen reader, it will feel slow and unfamiliar. By your tenth session, you will be navigating pages fluently and spotting issues instantly. The developers who invest in learning this skill deliver genuinely accessible websites, not just websites that pass an automated scan.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp class=\"text-gray-700 leading-relaxed my-4\"\u003eThe combination of automated scanning for breadth and screen reader testing for depth is what separates adequate accessibility work from excellent accessibility work. Start with automation, layer in manual testing, and you will be delivering a level of quality that most agencies never reach.\u003c/p\u003e"])</script><script>self.__next_f.push([1,"6:[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"min-h-screen bg-white\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"nav\",null,{\"className\":\"max-w-6xl mx-auto px-6 py-4 flex items-center justify-between border-b border-gray-100\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/\",\"className\":\"flex items-center gap-2\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"svg\",null,{\"className\":\"h-8 w-8 text-primary\",\"fill\":\"none\",\"viewBox\":\"0 0 24 24\",\"strokeWidth\":2,\"stroke\":\"currentColor\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"path\",null,{\"strokeLinecap\":\"round\",\"strokeLinejoin\":\"round\",\"d\":\"M9 12.75L11.25 15 15 9.75m-3-7.036A11.959 11.959 0 013.598 6 11.99 11.99 0 003 9.749c0 5.592 3.824 10.29 9 11.623 5.176-1.332 9-6.03 9-11.622 0-1.31-.21-2.571-.598-3.751h-.152c-3.196 0-6.1-1.248-8.25-3.285z\"}]}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"className\":\"text-xl font-bold text-foreground\",\"children\":\"A11yScope\"}]]}],[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/\",\"className\":\"bg-primary text-white text-sm font-semibold px-5 py-2.5 rounded-lg hover:bg-primary-dark transition-colors\",\"children\":\"Free Scan\"}]]}],[\"$\",\"article\",null,{\"className\":\"max-w-3xl mx-auto px-6 pt-12 pb-20\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"$L5\",null,{\"href\":\"/blog\",\"className\":\"text-sm text-muted hover:text-primary transition-colors inline-flex items-center gap-1 mb-8\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"svg\",null,{\"className\":\"h-4 w-4\",\"fill\":\"none\",\"viewBox\":\"0 0 24 24\",\"strokeWidth\":2,\"stroke\":\"currentColor\",\"children\":[\"$\",\"path\",null,{\"strokeLinecap\":\"round\",\"strokeLinejoin\":\"round\",\"d\":\"M15.75 19.5L8.25 12l7.5-7.5\"}]}],\"Back to Blog\"]}],[\"$\",\"header\",null,{\"className\":\"mb-8\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"flex items-center gap-3 text-sm text-muted mb-3\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"time\",null,{\"dateTime\":\"2026-02-25\",\"children\":\"February 25, 2026\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"children\":\"·\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"children\":[16,\" min read\"]}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"children\":\"·\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",null,{\"children\":\"A11yScope Team\"}]]}],[\"$\",\"h1\",null,{\"className\":\"text-3xl sm:text-4xl font-extrabold text-foreground leading-tight\",\"children\":\"Screen Reader Testing for Developers: A Practical Getting Started Guide\"}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"flex gap-2 mt-4\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"span\",\"Screen Reader\",{\"className\":\"text-xs bg-blue-50 text-primary px-2.5 py-1 rounded-full font-medium\",\"children\":\"Screen Reader\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",\"Testing\",{\"className\":\"text-xs bg-blue-50 text-primary px-2.5 py-1 rounded-full font-medium\",\"children\":\"Testing\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",\"NVDA\",{\"className\":\"text-xs bg-blue-50 text-primary px-2.5 py-1 rounded-full font-medium\",\"children\":\"NVDA\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",\"VoiceOver\",{\"className\":\"text-xs bg-blue-50 text-primary px-2.5 py-1 rounded-full font-medium\",\"children\":\"VoiceOver\"}],[\"$\",\"span\",\"Accessibility\",{\"className\":\"text-xs bg-blue-50 text-primary px-2.5 py-1 rounded-full font-medium\",\"children\":\"Accessibility\"}]]}]]}],[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"prose max-w-none\",\"dangerouslySetInnerHTML\":{\"__html\":\"$f\"}}],\"$L10\"]}]]}]\n"])</script><script>self.__next_f.push([1,"10:[\"$\",\"div\",null,{\"className\":\"mt-16 bg-blue-50 rounded-2xl p-8 text-center space-y-4\",\"children\":[[\"$\",\"h3\",null,{\"className\":\"text-xl font-bold text-foreground\",\"children\":\"Check your website's accessibility now\"}],[\"$\",\"p\",null,{\"className\":\"text-muted\",\"children\":\"Free instant scan. 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