What Is a Screen Reader: A Guide to Making Digital Content Accessible

Screen readers are critical for many users who navigate the internet. In the U.S. alone, approximately 7 million Americans(opens in a new tab) have vision loss or blindness, making everyday digital tasks difficult or impossible without assistive technology.

While most screen readers are used by people who are blind or have low vision, people with learning disabilities such as dyslexia also rely on them to access digital content.

To ensure that your website is accessible to the millions of people who depend on screen readers to use the web, it’s critical to keep these users in mind during the content creation process. Below, we cover everything you need to know about screen readers and how to design content that works well with assistive technologies.

How Do Screen Readers Work?

First, let’s discuss how screen readers work: 

Screen readers convert text displayed on a computer into a usable format for those who cannot read it. Users navigate their devices through a variety of keyboard commands and unique shortcuts. 

Typically, screen readers present information in several key ways: 

• Text-to-Speech Output: 

  • Content on the screen is read aloud through synthesized speech

  • The most common method screen readers use to deliver information

  • Users can adjust voice speed, pitch, and verbosity settings

  • According to a survey by WebAIM(opens in a new tab), 71.3% of users said they exclusively rely on screen reader audio

• Braille Display: 

  • Refreshable braille displays convert digital text into tactile braille characters

  • These physical devices connect to computers or mobile devices and update dynamically as users navigate

  • Braille is especially useful for detailed reading, editing, and programming

  • The same WebAIM survey(opens in a new tab) found that only 3.9% of users primarily rely on braille output

Screen reader users typically navigate websites using the keyboard rather than a mouse. Specialized shortcuts allow them to quickly move between important elements on a page, making navigation much faster than listening to an entire page line by line. For example:

• Pressing H jumps between headings

• Pressing L moves between links

Other shortcuts allow users to navigate buttons, form fields, and landmarks, helping them understand the page structure and find information efficiently.

Because of this navigation style, accessible web design is critical. Developers must use semantic HTML so screen readers can interpret page structure correctly and provide descriptive alt text for images and non-text content.

When websites follow accessibility best practices, screen reader users can navigate pages quickly and understand the content in a logical order.

Screen Reader Customization

Screen readers are highly customizable, giving users control over how information is presented. Three key areas where users can tailor their experience are verbosity, language and accent, and scripting. We’ll discuss these in more detail below.

Verbosity

Users can adjust verbosity, or how much detail gets read aloud. A lower setting might skip minor punctuation or page structure details, making the experience feel more natural.

Because every user configures their screen reader differently, content needs to work across all those variations. That means following semantic HTML principles, including defining each element so that different technologies can identify it correctly. For example, labeling something as a button rather than just making it look like one ensures the screen knows what it is and how to interact with it.

Language and Accent Modification

Screen readers typically support multiple languages, so they can switch to a different one as long as that language is encoded in the site’s metadata.

This also means that screen readers can read content in an appropriate accent. For example, if a website is from the United Kingdom, the screen reader can use U.K. pronunciation rules to output the content accurately.

Scripting Functions

Screen readers also support scripting, the ability to write small programs that automate tasks and tailor the experience to specific needs. Users can create scripts to make browsing feel more natural, then share them with others. Most major screen readers have active scripting communities where users exchange customizations to get more from their software.

What Types of Screen Readers Are There?

Screen readers are available on both desktop and mobile devices:

• Desktop: Most desktop operating systems have built-in options. However, most screen reader users prefer dedicated software such as NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) and JAWS (Jobs Access With Speech).

• Mobile: Both Android and Apple iOS feature built-in screen readers (TalkBack and VoiceOver) to help visually impaired users navigate the web on their mobile device.

Typically, users choose one screen reader and stick with it. This is primarily because each application has distinct features, and learning the software takes time. 

The table below provides a quick overview of the types of screen readers available to users:

Popular Screen Reading Tools

Screen readers are not one-size-fits-all. The right tool depends on a user's operating system, budget, and specific accessibility needs. Here are three of the most widely used options:

This computer is connected with a refreshable braille display that is powered by a screen reader.

JAWS (Job Access with Speech)

Developed by Freedom Scientific, JAWS is the world's most widely used screen reader for Windows. JAWS features multi-screen support, integration with Microsoft applications (such as Microsoft Office), touch screen and gesture support, and compatibility with braille displays.

NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access)

NVDA is a free, open-source screen reader for Windows and the second-most popular option according to WebAIM's screen reader user survey. Like JAWS, NVDA supports braille displays and is compatible with Microsoft applications. The software can output audio in 55 languages, and the NV Access website(opens in a new tab) includes tutorials and other training resources to help users configure the software. 

VoiceOver

VoiceOver is Apple's built-in screen reader, available across iPhone, iPad, and Mac, and is among the most widely used mobile screen readers in the world. It reads aloud what’s on the screen, including app names, text, and interface controls, and supports navigation through gestures on touchscreen devices and keyboard shortcuts on Mac. 

Explore the three best free screen readers for digital accessibility →

Why Screen Readers Matter

While screen readers aren’t the only kind of assistive technology that helps users navigate your website, they are essential for users living with visual impairments.

Ensuring your site works well with screen readers is one key way to help your business meet legal requirements, avoid lawsuits, expand your market reach, and provide a better experience for users.

Let’s take a closer look at why screen reader compliance matters.

Millions of People Depend on Screen Readers

According to the CDC(opens in a new tab), over 7 million Americans have vision loss or blindness. For these individuals, screen readers are not a convenience but a necessity for accessing digital content, completing everyday tasks, and participating in the modern economy.

The Law Requires It

If your website isn’t compatible with screen readers, you may be out of compliance with key accessibility laws. The Americans with Disabilities Act(opens in a new tab) (ADA) and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act set the legal baseline for digital accessibility in the U.S., and WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the most commonly used benchmark for measuring it. Failing to meet that standard has real consequences, including litigation. 

Non-Compliance Has Consequences

Web accessibility lawsuits have grown significantly over the past decade, and screen reader incompatibility is one of the most commonly cited issues. Thousands of ADA-related cases are filed each year across retail, healthcare, finance, and hospitality. In most cases, the cost of a single lawsuit far exceeds the cost of a proactive accessibility audit, making screen reader compatibility one of the lowest-risk investments a business can make.

It Improves Business

Accessibility is also good business. People with disabilities represent a significant consumer segment, and organizations that prioritize accessible design expand their reach while reducing legal exposure. Additionally, screen reader compatibility signals broader usability, often improving the experience for all users, including those on mobile devices or using keyboard navigation.

How to Design a Website for Screen Reader Accessibility

Published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), WCAG 2.1 guidelines are the international standard for web accessibility and an excellent primer on the essentials of accessible web design. Its guidelines map directly to the most common screen reader failures — and fixing them is more straightforward than it sounds:

• Semantic HTML: Use native HTML elements (headings, lists, buttons) correctly so screen readers can interpret page structure.

• Alt text: Every meaningful image, graph, or non-text element needs descriptive alt text; decorative images should have empty alt attributes.

• Keyboard accessibility:  All interactive elements must be reachable and operable by keyboard alone, with a visible focus indicator.

• Form labels: Every form input needs a programmatically associated label so screen readers can identify its purpose.

• Skip links: A "skip to main content" link at the top of the page lets users bypass repetitive navigation.

• Use ARIA sparingly: Use ARIA roles and attributes only when native HTML cannot do the job; incorrect ARIA is worse than none at all.

It’s important to note that WCAG is written to improve experiences for all users with disabilities, not just individuals with visual disabilities. Testing your content against the guidelines can improve compliance with the ADA and other non-discrimination laws.

Because WCAG is built on best web design practices, conformance pays off beyond compliance: Accessible websites tend to perform better in search engine rankings, convert at higher rates, and provide a better experience for all users.

The best way to ensure your website is screen reader-ready is to conduct a screen reader test.

When to Test with a Screen Reader

Automated tools can catch many common accessibility issues, but expert testing with a screen reader uncovers patterns and user experience failures that automated scans routinely miss. As a best practice, screen reader testing should be part of every major development cycle, site redesign, or content update.

Why WCAG Alone Isn’t Enough

WCAG 2.1 AA is a strong baseline, but checking boxes does not guarantee a usable experience for screen reader users. Automated tools can confirm technical conformance while missing the structural and navigation failures that real users encounter. That’s why expert screen reader testing matters. It catches what the checklist can’t.

Ready to Test With a Screen Reader?

Understanding screen readers is the first step. The next step is knowing how your website actually performs for the users who rely on them.

AudioEye’s Digital Accessibility Platform combines automated scanning with Expert Audits to catch what automated tools alone might miss — so nothing falls through the cracks.

Get started with a free accessibility scan. Or schedule a demo to see AudioEye in action.