There will come a point on your path to becoming an A11y Master when you will need to add manual testing to your team. Of course, getting proficient in testing with multiple assistive tech types would be like tapping into the power of Arceus, but you don't need to face legendary battles straight away to evolve your testing skills:
Magikarp’s splash = 1 tab
A lot of assistive tech simply simulates inputs through keystrokes. This is not limited to form inputs; keystrokes or combinations are also used to navigate a webpage. Switch buttons work the same. No, not the on/off toggle kind, I’m talking about adaptive switches. Much like disabilities, they come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They are especially important for people with mobility, flexibility, and body structure disabilities.
Functional keyboard navigation is also important for screen readers, as they mostly utilize the tab key to jump from one focusable element to the next. That makes the tab key a readily accessible tool to cover a lot of ground with. You can check which elements receive focus, if the focus follows the website structure, if one can interact with elements as expected, and if the focus is visible…
Like Magikarp's splash, the tab key doesn't do much on its own, but once you understand how keyboard navigation works, it's a strong addition to your testing lineup. And just like that, your keyboard evolves into your very own Gyarados.
Eevee = Screen Readers
The normal type Eevee is not only cute but very versatile, just like the wide range of screen reader software available!
Screen readers also include the often-forgotten Braille display. Yes, it counts as a screen reader too! The only difference is that it doesn’t output in speech but translates the written text to Braille code instead.
Eeveelutions & different screen readers in different browsers
Just like an Eevee can evolve into different types, different screen readers and browser combinations will give you different outputs. But they all operate on the same foundation, so make sure landmarks and headings are in order, and your images have alt attributes filled with suitable text alternatives, so your Eevees can read every move of their opponent in battle!
To build your ultimate screen reader team, check the WebAIM screen reader user survey to find the most popular screen reader and browser pairings.
Stay vigilant: The screen reader survey is not the ultimate representation of which combinations are the most used. The survey is sent out annually by WebAIM, but not every person who relies on it is actively keeping up with web accessibility. Especially persons with lower digital literacy who just started out using a screen reader out of necessity are unlikely to bother filling out a survey about their screen reader use. So don’t forget to test with in-built tools such as Talk Back on Android smartphones as well.
Start your adventure
With a strong team like that, you are well prepared to venture out into the World Wide Web and catch all accessibility bugs you encounter. Accessibility issues around the world are waiting for you!
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