How to make your website screen reader-friendly (and why it matters)

Picture this. 

You land on a website only to find that it all makes zero sense.  

The content is unreadable, key functions are hidden, and you can’t make head nor tail of how to find what you’re looking for. 

For millions of people who rely on screen readers, this isn’t a hypothetical situation – it’s a daily digital experience.

Screen readers are essential tools for digital accessibility. They convert on-screen content into synthesized speech or Braille, allowing people with visual impairments to navigate websites and applications with ease. 

But in reality, many developers and designers lack a clear understanding of how these tools work and what makes a digital experience accessible. 

It’s a knowledge gap that can unintentionally exclude people who rely on screen readers every day. 

In this article, we break down what screen readers are, how they function, who uses them, and how sites can be designed inclusively – with a few technical tips and practical examples thrown in. 

What are screen readers?

First things first, what exactly are screen readers?

Essentially, they’re assistive technologies that read digital content aloud or translate it into Braille. 

They help users navigate content using a keyboard or input methods other than a typical mouse. Screen readers rely on the structure and semantics of HTML code to make sense of web content. 

How do screen readers work?

Screen readers work by building an “accessibility tree,” which is a simplified version of the webpage’s underlying structure (called the DOM, or Document Object Model). 

This “tree” picks up on meaningful elements in the code, like headings, labels, and ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes – all of which help users make sense of the content. 

It’ll also give navigation shortcuts to move through headings, landmarks, links, and form fields. That’s why proper markup and labeling are crucial for easy navigation. 

Who uses screen readers?

Screen readers are mostly used by people with:

• Full visual impairment
• Low vision
• Cognitive or learning disabilities
• Temporary visual impairment (e.g., recovering from eye surgery)

Users often pair screen readers with keyboard navigation, screen magnifiers, or Braille displays. 

Popular screen readers: A comparison

With several screen readers available across different platforms, it helps to understand which ones are the most commonly used and how they differ. 

Here are some of the most widely used screen readers: 

Screen readers by platform

Screen readers are built to work across different operating systems, and each platform comes with its own set of tools, features, and user expectations. 

If you’re designing for inclusivity, it’s important to know what screen readers are available on each system and how they differ from each other. 

• Windows: JAWS and NVDA dominate this space. NVDA is often favored by developers thanks to its open-source nature. 
• macOS/iOS: VoiceOver is built in and fully integrated with Apple hardware, so it’s the go-to option. 
• Android: TalkBack offers accessibility support across Android apps and devices, so again, it’s the go-to option for Android users. 

Each system has its own keyboard shortcuts and navigation paradigms, so testing across platforms is always a good idea. 

How screen readers improve digital accessibility

Screen readers are a bridge between visual interfaces and non-visual experiences. 

They support accessibility in several key ways: 

• Access to information: They give millions of users access to web content they wouldn’t otherwise be able to enjoy
• Better code structure: They encourage better semantic markup, which benefits SEO
• Legal compliance: They help websites meet accessibility laws like the ADA and the European Accessibility Act

Common challenges screen reader users face

Despite all the best intentions, many digital experiences still fall short when it comes to accessibility. 

Screen reader users often face a range of barriers that make navigation frustrating, or in some extreme cases, impossible. 

Some common challenges include:

• Poor heading structure: Skipping heading levels or not using them properly
• Missing alt text: Non-descriptive or absent alt attributes on images
• Inaccessible forms: Forms that don’t include visible labels or instructions can confuse screen reader users who rely on auditory cues to complete fields
• Dynamic content: When content updates (like notifications or form results) aren’t announced, users may miss important information
• Misused ARIA roles: Applying ARIA roles incorrectly can interfere with how content is interpreted, leading to disorientation or errors

Best practices for screen reader-friendly websites

Designing for screen reader accessibility doesn’t have to be complicated – but it does require intentional choices. 

Here are some practical ways to make your website more usable for screen reader users:

• Use semantic HTML (e.g., <nav>, <main>, <button>, <label>)
• Write descriptive alt attributes for images
• Label all form inputs with <label> or aria-label
• Use heading tags in a logical order
• Provide keyboard navigation and focus styles
• Avoid using visual cues alone (e.g., “Click the red button”)
• Use meaningful link text (e.g., avoid “Click here”)

How to test your website for screen reader compatibility

Testing is always an important step in any accessibility effort. 

Luckily, there are a number of different tools and techniques you can use to help you evaluate how well your site works with screen readers. 

• Stress-test with screen readers: Use popular readers like VoiceOver, NVDA, or TalkBack as a good barometer to test your interface
• Browser tools: Use tools like Lighthouse to audit your site’s accessibility directly in the browser, giving you quick, actionable feedback
• Extensions: Add-ons like axe DevTools and WAVE can help pinpoint specific code-level issues affecting screen reader compatibility
• Real user testing: The most accurate and meaningful way to test your accessibility is by observing real users interacting with your site using their preferred screen readers

Screen reader accessibility matters

As with any accessibility improvements, creating screen reader-friendly experiences isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. 

Not only does it help with your site’s SEO and keep your site compliant with evolving laws and expectations, it makes the web a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone. 

By understanding how screen readers work and taking simple, thoughtful steps in your design and development process, you can help remove barriers that stand in the way of equal access. 

So start with small improvements, keep testing, and make accessibility a standard part of your workflow.

Frequently Asked Questions