Textual Information for screen reader

The screen reader user gains access to content, navigation and all actions via audio feedback that is based on textual information. This means the user can hear when the action of say 'copying and pasting' text occurs and font changes are made to text within an application or even when a dialog box appears on the screen. If text is displayed in a none standard way it may not be accessible to a screen reader user. (CEUD 1.6, IBM 4.1, VPAT section 1194.21 (f)).

Testing Techniques

These techniques may be used to perform the test.

Method

The only way to test this aspect of a software application is to work through a series of menus, generate some text and then follow another set of actions such as cut or copy, paste into another document.

Criteria for this Test

Poor No actions or navigation can be heard when using a screen reader
Fair Menu items and some actions can be heard but no content generation.
Good Actions for navigation heard, basic text generation possible or other actions but not full use of the program.
Excellent All aspects of the application are accessible and announced by the screen reader.

Results for this Test

Score Product
ExcellentAccess Menu
ExcellentMicrosoft Office Outlook
ExcellentMicrosoft Office Word
ExcellentWindows Live Messenger
GoodEndNote
GoodMicrosoft Calculator
GoodNero StartSmart
GoodPaint.NET
GoodWindows Movie Maker
FairAdobe Acrobat Professional
FairAdobe Photoshop
FairAdobe Reader
FairCamtasia Studio Software
FairGoogle Earth
PoorKMplayer
PooryEd - Graph Editor