When ensuring your website or mobile application is accessible, testing with specific screen reader and browser combinations is a crucial step. Different screen readers interact with browsers in unique ways, and this can significantly impact how users with disabilities experience your content. By incorporating testing with various combinations, you can catch accessibility issues that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Not All Screen Readers Work the Same Across Browsers

Each screen reader interacts with browsers differently based on their underlying architecture and how they interpret the website’s code. For example, JAWS may function smoothly in Chrome but experience issues in less common browsers. Likewise, NVDA works well with Firefox, while VoiceOver is designed to be most effective in Safari on Mac and iOS.

Relying on only one screen reader-browser combination for testing can leave gaps in accessibility. Testing across multiple combinations ensures that users, no matter their technology preferences, have equal access to your website or application.

Screen Reader and Browser Combinations Reflect Real-World Use

People with disabilities often have specific preferences when it comes to screen reader and browser combinations. For instance, JAWS with Chrome or Edge is a common combination for Windows users, while VoiceOver with Safari dominates on Mac and iOS. Similarly, TalkBack with Chrome is popular among Android users.

Testing using these real-world combinations reflects how users will actually engage with your website or mobile app. It helps you avoid overlooking issues that might only show up for specific screen reader and browser pairs, ensuring your site is inclusive and accessible to all users.

Addressing Browser-Specific Accessibility Issues

Some accessibility issues may only arise in specific browsers. For example, a dynamic form might work perfectly in Firefox with NVDA, but fail to be fully accessible in Chrome with JAWS. These types of browser-specific problems are often overlooked unless you test with multiple screen reader-browser combinations.

By identifying these issues, you can make the necessary changes to your website’s code or provide alternative solutions, ensuring all users have a consistent and accessible experience.

Optimizing for Mobile Accessibility

Accessibility doesn’t stop at the desktop. Mobile devices introduce an entirely different set of challenges for accessibility. Screen readers like VoiceOver (on iOS) and TalkBack (on Android) are widely used, and mobile interactions—like gestures—can significantly affect the user experience.

Testing your mobile app or mobile-optimized site with these screen readers is essential to ensuring that users navigating on their phones or tablets have the same level of accessibility as those using desktop computers.

Don’t Assume Usability from Testing Alone

It’s important to recognize that the purpose of testing with a screen reader and browser is to ensure your website or mobile app functions with the technology. However, this type of testing shouldn’t be mistaken for usability testing. In most cases, the person conducting the testing is not an experienced primary screen reader user.

Assuming you know what the best experience is for a screen reader user simply because you can run accessibility tests is like assuming you know the best experience for every user just because you can use a browser. Usability testing requires involving actual users who rely on screen readers daily. Their insights are crucial to understanding how well your site functions from a real-world perspective.

Staying Current with Popular Tools

The world of screen readers and browsers is constantly evolving, with new features and updates being rolled out regularly. To ensure you’re testing with the most relevant tools, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with data on screen reader usage and browser popularity. Resources like the WebAIM Screen Reader User Survey provide invaluable insights into the tools and combinations that people with disabilities use most frequently.

By aligning your accessibility testing with current trends, you can ensure your website or mobile app is optimized for the widest possible audience.

It’s More Than Compliance: Focus on Experience

Testing with different screen reader-browser combinations is about more than just checking boxes for WCAG compliance. It’s about providing an excellent user experience for everyone. Screen reader users deserve the same smooth and intuitive experience as any other user, and testing ensures you are doing your part to deliver on that promise.

By identifying and resolving issues specific to different combinations, you can enhance usability and ensure that your website or mobile app is accessible and enjoyable for all visitors.

Conclusion: Test Accessibility Like Your Users

Testing website accessibility with multiple screen reader and browser combinations is critical to ensuring inclusivity. By focusing on popular combinations like JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack with mainstream browsers such as Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge, you help ensure your digital content is accessible to all users, regardless of their chosen technology.

Remember, accessibility is more than compliance—it’s about creating a better user experience for everyone.

We can help with your testing through either our training or accessibility audits, contact us for more details.

Let’s change the world together—one accessible website at a time.