User Experience
Screen Reader
Plain English
Software that reads content out loud.
Definition
A screen reader is software that reads digital content aloud for users who cannot see the screen.
In practice
Used by visually impaired users to navigate websites and applications.
In context
Half an hour navigating your own product with one, keyboard only, finds more than most audits. The experience is usually different from what the team imagined.
The reality
Many products are not properly optimised for screen readers, creating barriers.
Compared with
Screen Reader vs Assistive Technology
A screen reader is one kind of assistive technology, used mainly by blind and low-vision users. The category also includes magnification, switch access, voice control and more, each with different requirements.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What is a screen reader?
Software that converts text to speech.
Who uses screen readers?
Primarily visually impaired users.
Why are they important?
They enable accessible glossaryNavigationNavigation is the system of menus, links, and cues that lets people move through a product and reach what they need. It exposes the underlying structure, and is how most users experience that structure.Open glossary term.
What is a common issue?
Poor implementation leading to unusable experiences.
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