How to Choose a Screen Reader That Meets WCAG Accessibility Guidelines

December 14, 2024

Screen readers are crucial for people with visual impairments. They help them interact with the latest technology and understand the content on websites, applications, and other documents. These tools ensure accessibility by interpreting on-screen content into speed or Braille.

A variety of screen readers are available on the market, offering different functionalities. So, making the right choice can be difficult for an average user. For this purpose, you can choose from screen readers approved by DOJ WCAG to save time and money.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has made WCAG compliance obligatory for many sectors, including education, healthcare, hospitality, government departments, and the services sector. The purpose is to compel these organizations to provide content that is accessible to everyone.

Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG)provide a robust framework to make digital content perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users. Selecting a screen reader that adheres to these standards is essential for organizations and individuals seeking to ensure inclusivity and meet legal requirements.

In this post, we shall talk about screen readers approved by DOJ WCAG. Whether you’re a user or a website owner wanting to improve the accessibility of your website, this post shall serve the purpose.

Accessibility Requirements as per the Department of Justice

DOJ has provided legal obligations for all organizations operating in the United States. These accessibility requirements deal with their digital and physical environments. The purpose is to ensure everyone, including people with disabilities, can access these organizations.

These requirements are primarily derived from key federal laws and standards, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

The DOJ’s publication on April 23, 2024, discussed many aspects pertaining to accessibility, including the following:

Organizations must adhere to the WCAG, Version 2.1, Levels A and AA as the standard for web content.
To ensure ADA compliance, websites and applications must strictly conform with the WCAG’s technical standard.

Here’s an overview:

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

As a major legislation enforcing accessibility across the United States, ADA compels businesses to ensure their services are accessible to people with disabilities.

Key ADA Titles

Title II compels government entities to ensure everyone has access to their services, activities, and programs. It also applies to state and government websites.
Title III requires businesses, such as hotels, retail stores, restaurants, etc., to provide accessible physical and digital spaces to all types of customers.

Digital accessibility means websites, mobile apps, and other kinds of digital content must be made accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Although WCAG compliance isn’t explicitly mandated by the ADA, the DOJ has made it standard for digital accessibility.

Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

According to Section 508, organizations should have digital content (websites, applications, forms, white papers, other documents, etc.) that is accessible to everyone. This section is primarily applicable to federal agencies but aligns with WCAG 2.1 Level AA requirements.

Enforcement and Penalties

The DOJ enforces accessibility requirements through investigations, lawsuits, and settlements. Penalties for non-compliance may include:

Legal fees.
Mandated accessibility audits.
Fines and damages.

Adoption of WCAG Guidelines

The DOJ referred to the WCAG to make it easier for businesses operating in the US to follow digital content accessibility. These guidelines can help website owners and developers create content that:

All kinds of users can interact with
Offers seamless navigability, even with assistive technologies
Users can easily understand
Is compatible with screen readers and other assistive technologies

Accessibility Testing and Compliance

The Final Rule from DOJ has issued a deadline for most states and local government departments to bring their websites into compliance with the WCAG version 2.1. Therefore, organizations must:

Audit digital properties for accessibility issues using tools and manual testing.
Fix barriers identified during testing, such as inaccessible navigation or missing alternative text.
Train staff on accessibility best practices.

WCAG Accessibility Guidelines

The Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) have been developed by Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) of the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). These guidelines are globally recognized and help software developers, website and store owners improve the accessibility of their content for people with visual impairments or other disabilities.

There are three levels of compliance: Level A, AA, and AAA. These levels represent varying degrees of accessibility:

The Basic Level: Level A deals with the fundamental accessibility requirements. Websites that fail to meet this level may face significant barriers.
Common Standard: Level AA is the most commonly adopted standard. Addressing common barriers, this level enhances accessibility for a wider range of audience.
The Most Rigorous: Level AAA is the highest level that ensures optimal accessibility. However, it may not be a necessity for all the websites.

Key Principles of WCAG Relevant to Screen Readers

To ensure WCAG compliance, websites, applications, and documents must meet the four key principles:

The Content Should be Perceivable

Information must be presented in ways users can perceive. For screen readers, this includes:

Providing alternative text for images
Using proper labeling for forms,
Creating logical heading structures

It Has to Be Operable

Users can use the site’s navigation and interface components not only with the keyboard but also with assistive technology devices. This aspect is crucial for users who rely on screen readers for navigation.

The Content Should Be Comprehensible

WCAG stresses making the digital content easier to understand so that everyone can find the information helpful. For example:

The language of the content should be clear
Navigation patterns must be predictable

This way, screen readers can interpret the content effectively.

The Content Must be Robust

All digital content should be compatible with the existing and modern assistive technologies. This will help screen readers and other technologies to process information correctly.

Why WCAG Compliance Matters for Screen Readers

The website content provides accessible code that allows screen readers and other assistive technologies to process the content.

By ensuring WCAG compliance, you can enhance the usability of these tools, which will eventually help users with visual impairments to access and interact with the content.

By meeting these standards, you can:

Adhere to legal and ethical obligations
Prevent penalties and other legal barriers
Maximize your chances of higher online traffic

What Features to Look for in WCAG-Compliant Screen Readers

It’s not only about converting text into speech as there are other important elements that need to be translated so that users can completely understand the context.

Therefore, we recommend screen readers that offer WCAG compliance for optimal user experience.

Some key features to look for in screen readers include:

Text-to-Speech Accuracy

The basic function of any screen reader is to interpret on-screen text into speech. The speech has to be accurate and easy-to-understand for every user. Text-to-speech accuracy is subject to the following aspects:

Natural-sounding voices
Perfect pronunciation
Adjustable speech rates

Make sure that the screen reader you chose offers a variety of voices, speech rates and pronunciations to choose from. It helps improve the user experience.

Seamless Navigation

Web content is not just about text; there are other elements that a screen reader may come across, such as headings, landmarks, lists and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) labels, etc.

A WCAG-compliant screen reader would allow users to move efficiently through these elements. It ensures that these interactive elements are accessible.

OS and Browser Compatibility

We all know that there are different types of operating systems and browsers.

A WCAG-compliant screen reader works seamlessly across platforms like:

Linux
macOS
Windows

It’s also compatible with Android and iOS mobile operating systems.

Moreover, the screen reader is compatible with browsers like Chrome, Safari, Edge, and Firefox, ensuring website content accessibility without hindrances.

Support for Assistive Technologies

Catering to users with diverse needs, advanced screen readers have the capability to integrate with other assistive devices, such as Braille displays. This functionality is especially important for individuals who rely on tactile output for accessibility.

Multilingual Support and Language Settings

Although English is the dominant language on the internet, other languages, such as Spanish, French, Portuguese, Japanese, Arabic, etc., also have a fair share. Web content often spans multiple languages.

Therefore, screen readers must offer robust multilingual support to ensure WCAG compliance. It should also offer easy switching between language settings to accommodate global users.

Adaptability to Different Content Formats

Users frequently interact with various content types, including PDFs, web pages, and documents. A WCAG-compliant screen reader should effectively handle these formats, maintaining consistent accessibility regardless of the content’s source or structure.

Conducting Accessibility Testing

A crucial stage, regular accessibility testing helps achieve and maintain WCAG compliance.

It lets you identify and address barriers, thereby creating inclusive digital experiences for all users, especially those that rely on screen readers or other assistive technologies.
You can prevent legal risks associated with non-compliance under frameworks like the ADA.

Accessibility testing ensures that your website or application meets the needs of individuals with disabilities. For WCAG compliance, it verifies that essential features work seamlessly with screen readers. These include such as:

Navigation
Text-to-speech output
Interactivity

Methods for Testing Screen Reader Compatibility

The two basic methods for accessibility testing include manual testing and automated testing.

Manual Testing

It involves hands-on interaction with the website or app using a screen reader (e.g., JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver). With the help of these tools, users can verify usability in real-world scenarios, such as navigating menus or filling out forms.

Automated Testing

For quick testing, you can rely on tools like Accessibility Spark, Axe, WAVE, and Lighthouse. These tools can quickly analyze web content for WCAG violations and help you improve screen reader accessibility.

For example, automated tools can identify issues such as missing alt text, poor color contrast, or improperly labeled elements. That said, it is recommended that automated tools should be used as complementary tools; manual testing may be more time-consuming but has its benefits.

How to Test Screen Readers Accessibility

The three basic aspects for accessibility testing include:

Alt Text: Check whether alternative text is correctly assigned to images and other non-text content because screen readers can only process text, not images.
Dynamic and Interactive Content: Test compatibility with elements like dropdown menus, modals, and forms to confirm they are operable via keyboard and assistive technology.
Navigation: Ensure users can navigate headings, lists, and landmarks logically using screen reader shortcuts.

Common Pitfalls in Accessibility Testing and How to Avoid Them

Some websites may face the issue of low accessibility score even after the use of manual and automated tools. This could be due to the following reasons.

Over-reliance on Automated Tools

Automated accessibility checkers are useful. But these tools cannot detect issues like poor alt text descriptions or unclear navigation. This is why, you need manual testing to prevent all kinds of accessibility-related barriers.

Inconsistent Testing

It isn’t just about one browser or device. A website that may be working smoothly on Chrome may still have accessibility barriers on Firefox. Similarly, a website may be offering a good desktop accessibility but mobile users may be facing accessibility issues.

Ensure that you tested your application, website content or other digital content across multiple platforms and devices to overcome all potential accessibility issues. For this purpose, you can use Accessibility Spark that offers a comprehensive analysis taking into account all the aspects of accessibility.

Ignoring User Feedback

Real-world users provide invaluable insights. Include user testing by individuals who rely on screen readers.

Failure to Test Updates

Accessibility should be an ongoing process. Regularly test updates and new content to maintain compliance.

Tips Choose the Right Screen Reader (200 words)

Here are some tips to choose the right screen reader:

Who is It Meant For?

Different types of people, such as visually impaired users, developers, or companies implementing a screen reader for compliance. will be using different types of screen readers to access a website.

An organization might need a comprehensive screen reader while an individual might need a screen reader with limited functionality. Each has their own requirements.

Ensure Platform Compatibility

Screen readers approved by DOJ WCAG work seamlessly across multiple platforms and devices.

Evaluate Your Budget and Requirements

Before purchasing one, compare free options with paid ones: For examples, NVDA and VoiceOver are free options with substantial features. On the other hand, JAWS and Dolphin SuperNova are premium tools.

Paid tools offer advanced features as well as better customer support. But again, you need to weigh the product against your requirements.

See for Ongoing Support

Choose a screen reader backed by regular updates and responsive technical support to ensure compatibility with evolving technologies and accessibility standards.

Check Product Ratings and Feedback

Go through user reviews, testimonials, and case studies. Feedback from actual users can highlight practical pros and cons.

Prioritize Training and Education

Opt for screen readers that come with robust documentation, tutorials, or training sessions. Proper education ensures users can maximize the tool’s features effectively.

Conclusion

Screen reader accessibility has become a vital aspect, ensuring every individual can get access to and use the website information for their benefit.

You can choose from the above-mentioned popular screen readers to remove accessibility barriers across your web pages and online documents.

Alternatively, you can get Accessibility Spark for a quick analysis. The platform ensures automated accessibility testing backed by AI-powered algorithms, improving your digital content’s score.

By addressing barriers, not only can you avoid legal restrictions but also provide a seamless user experience to all audience.

Desktop Screen Readers	Mobile Screen Readers	Browser-specific Screen Readers	Enterprise-level Screen Readers
JAWS (Job Access With Speech)	TalkBack (Android)	ChromeVox	Dolphin SuperNova
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)	VoiceOver (iOS)	Orca	ZoomText Fusion
VoiceOver
Narrator