Mobile Screen Readers
Even though it’s possible, most screen reader users don’t connect a keyboard to their mobile devices. Instead, we navigate by moving our finger on the screen in one of two ways:
- Touch navigation: dragging our finger across the screen, and getting what’s under our finger read to us.
- Swipe navigation: Swiping left and right to move to the next or previous item. Kind of like using the tab-key on a computer keyboard.
It’s very common for people to switch between these modes of navigation.
What is a Screen Reader?
Screen Reader: A screen reader is a software tool designed to help visually impaired or blind users by reading out the text displayed on a computer screen. This software uses text-to-speech technology to convert on-screen text into spoken words, allowing users to listen to content from websites, emails, documents, and more. It also assists in navigation, offering keyboard shortcuts and commands to help users move through links, buttons, and menus efficiently.
Screen readers are compatible with various operating systems and applications, ensuring that visually impaired users can access a wide range of digital content and services.
Additionally, many screen readers support Braille displays, converting text into Braille for those who use tactile reading. This technology is essential for enabling visually impaired individuals to study, work, and manage daily digital tasks independently, enhancing their ability to interact with the digital world.