Using the NVDA Screen Reader to Test Web Accessibility

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Using the NVDA Screen Reader to Test Web Accessibility

Posted January 28, 2025

AudioEye

Posted January 28, 2025

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NVDA is a free screen reader for Windows devices used by millions of individuals with disabilities worldwide. The tool enables these individuals to browse online content and is essential to compliance with accessibility laws, including the ADA and EAA. Here’s how to use NVDA as part of your digital accessibility strategy.

Originally Posted on April 10, 2023.

Screen readers — also known as screen-reading software — output text as either audio or Braille. They’re most commonly used by people with visual impairments to interact with digital content. Still, a 2024 WebAIM survey found that 65.6% of respondents use NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) as their primary screen reader, making it the most popular device (JAWS was a close second with 60.5%).

So, what exactly is NVDA? And why should it be a key part of your digital accessibility strategy? We’ll answer those questions below and share best practices for using the software to help you evaluate your digital content for accessibility.

A graphic representation of a screen reader, next to an audio icon.

NVDA: A Popular, Free Screen Reader for Windows

Michael Curran, an accessibility consultant and software engineer, started the NVDA project in 2006. Curran, who has a vision disability, recognized that most screen-reading software was prohibitively expensive — and many free programs had frustrating limitations. 

NVDA was specifically designed to address these issues, providing users with a free, open-source screen reader that helps people with visual impairments access and interact with digital content on Windows computers.

Some of its top features include:

  • Portability: NVDA can be installed on a USB stick, enabling users to launch the software on virtually any Windows computer, including public-use machines at libraries, colleges, workplaces, etc.
  • Customizability: Users can configure hotkeys and maintain their settings across multiple machines, ensuring a consistent experience.
  • Open-source development: Because NVDA is an open-source platform, it’s accessible to any developer who wants to contribute, fostering continuous improvement and innovation.
  • Application and browser integration: NVDA works seamlessly with popular applications, including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Reader, and Zoom. It also works well with browsers like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, and other accessibility-compliant software. However, older or less common applications that lack proper accessibility support may not work well with NVDA. 
  • Refreshable Braille display support: NVDA supports a wide range of refreshable Braille displays, providing tactile feedback for users who rely on Braille for digital navigation. 
  • Language support: NVDA supports more than 50 languages, making it a truly global tool for accessibility. Its growing language library reflects the contributions of its active developer and user community. 
  • Plugins and add-ons: NVDA’s functionality can be extended with plugins and add-ons for specific needs. For example, users can install add-ons to enhance compatibility with applications like Skype, VLC Media Player, Microsoft Office, and web development tools.

 

Unlike JAWS, NVDA is supported entirely through donations and grants, making it accessible to anyone who needs it. The full version of NVDA is available for free download on the NV Access website, empowering users to achieve great independence and productivity.

Can I Use the NVDA Screen Reader to Test My Website’s Accessibility?

Screen reader testing plays an important role in web accessibility. However, this testing method is best performed by people who have substantial experience with the software in question — or who use a screen reader in their daily lives.

If you’re new to NVDA, you probably won’t have the same experience as a long-time user. 

For example, If you’re used to browsing websites with a mouse keyboard, using keyboard shortcuts or commands alone may feel frustrating. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your website has accessibility issues. Additionally, you may miss some issues that would be apparent to a long-time NVDA user.

With that said, downloading a screen reader can provide valuable insights to help you create accessible content. Since NVDA is free and flexible, it’s an excellent option — but to create accessible content for every website visitor, you’ll need a more comprehensive testing strategy. 


To conform with accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG), for instance, we recommend using a combination of automated and human expert accessibility testing. Doing so will help you find and fix more accessibility issues and boost compliance with accessibility laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the European Accessibility Act (EAA), and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Download our white paper on Building for Digital Accessibility at Scale to learn why a hybrid approach provides the best path to web accessibility →

Tips for Getting Started With the NVDA Screen Reader

After downloading NVDA,  you’ll need to install the software. If you’re not a regular screen reader user, we recommend unchecking the option to start NVDA automatically when logging into Windows. 

Like many screen readers, NVDA uses a modifier key that enables users to trigger certain commands quickly. 

NVDA recommends using the Caps Lock key as a modifier by default. You can assign this functionality to any other key during installation, but for basic testing, we recommend keeping Caps Lock as the modifier. 

Sighted users may wish to change several other settings during installation: 

  • In the Preferences > Settings menu, select Vision, then “Enable Highlighting.” This tells the software to highlight text as it is read.
  • In Keyboard, uncheck “Speak Typed Characters.” This allows you to type without hearing audio for every character. 
  • In the Speech category, you may change the text-to-speech (TTS) voice under the Synthesizer setting.


After installing NVDA, launch the program before opening your web browser. Familiarize yourself with basic NVDA commands — or use this NVDA quick reference guide for help.

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Finding Common Web Accessibility Barriers With NVDA

As we’ll discuss in the next section, WCAG isn’t just about accommodating screen reader users — but testing your content with a screen reader may highlight certain accessibility issues. 

It’s also important to note that NVDA’s output may change depending on your web browser. According to WebAIM, most screen reader users prefer Google Chrome, but a sizeable percentage use Microsoft Edge or Mozilla Firefox (Apple’s Safari is also popular, but NVDA is only available on Windows). 

Using your preferred web browser, open your web page and use the Tab key to scroll through content. As you’re doing so, pay attention to the voice output and ask questions such as:

  • Does the content appear in a logical order? In other words, does NVDA’s output match the visual presentation of the content?
  • Do images have accurate alternative text (also called alt text) that describes their content and purpose? 
  • Can you navigate through forms and other interactive elements easily?
  • Do form fields have accurate labels and instructions? 

For example, if a form field is missing a label, NVDA may announce it as “edit” without providing additional information about the field’s purpose. This can make the form difficult or impossible for screen reader users to complete. 

When testing your content, remember that your experience is limited. NVDA’s output may change depending on your browser settings, and without a working knowledge of WCAG, you may miss some accessibility issues. However, testing with NVDA can still provide valuable insights into how well screen reader users interact with your digital content.

How NVDA Works with Other Screen Readers

While NVDA is one of the most popular screen readers for Windows, it’s not the only option. Here’s a quick look at other popular tools and how they compare to NVDA:

  • JAWS (Job Access With Speech): JAWS is considered a powerful screen reader, giving users access to extensive features and support for complex workflows. However, it can be expensive, making it less accessible for individuals or small organizations. Because NVDA is free and open-source, users get similar functionality without a financial barrier.
  • VoiceOver: Built into macOS and iOS devices, VoiceOver provides seamless integration with Apple products. While NVDA is limited to Windows, VoiceOver’s intuitive gestures and robust features make it a go-to for Apple users. 
  • Narrator: Microsoft’s built-in screen reader for Windows is improving with each update, but it still lacks the depth and flexibility of NVDA. Many users prefer NVDA for its customizability and better application support. 
  • TalkBack: Android’s native screen reader is designed for mobile devices and integrates well with Google’s ecosystem. NVDA, being desktop-focused, complements TalkBack and provides accessibility on both platforms.
  • ChromeVox: Designed specifically for Google Chrome and Chromebooks, ChromeVox is lightweight but limited in scope. NVDA offers broader compatibility with Windows applications and browsers, making it a more versatile option for most users. 

Ultimately, NVDA strikes a balance between and functionality. While other screen readers are beneficial, NVDA’s affordability, portability, and community-driven development make it a standout choice for Windows users.

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Why Web Accessibility Testing Isn’t Just for Screen Readers

Screen readers are a type of assistive technology designed for people with vision disabilities. However, not all users with low vision use screen readers (and as we discussed earlier, not all screen reader users have vision disabilities). 

To comply with the DA, the EAA, AODA, and other non-discrimination laws, you’ll need to consider the full spectrum of disabilities. That includes people with conditions that affect their hearing, mobility, and cognition. 

Your website’s design can affect these users in profoundly different ways. For example, Deaf users may be unable to understand video content with missing captions, while people with color vision deficiencies (also called color blindness) may be unable to read low-contrast text. 


By testing content against WCAG, which accommodates a wide of abilities, you can provide a better experience for every user — regardless of whether they use screen readers or other assistive technology — and enjoy the substantial benefits of digital accessibility.

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Creating a Testing Strategy for Website Accessibility

With AudioEye, creating digital content that works well with NVDA is easy. Our Automated Accessibility Platform combines automated and human testing to help you find and fix more accessibility issues than any other tool. We start with a free accessibility scan that identifies 30 WCAG violations — more than any other tool on the market — and applies automatic fixes. 

Our team of accessibility experts and members of the disability community then test your content for more complex accessibility issues and provide recommendations on how to resolve them. The result? Online experiences that are accessible and compliant with the ADA, EAA, AODA, and more.


Want to see how accessible your existing content is? Use our free Web Accessibility Scanner to get a free scan. Or schedule a demo to see AudioEye in action.

Ready to see AudioEye in action?

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Ready to test your website for accessibility?

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