The guides below provide information on the different screen readers available for testing and how to access them.
Actual devices vs emulators
It’s always best to test screen readers on an actual device rather than an emulator. Often, emulators don’t have all the necessary functions, such as keyboard shortcuts or touch gestures on mobile. Testing with an emulator is a good first step, but testing on real devices gives a realistic view of issues that our screen-reading members and colleagues will face.
Windows desktop screen readers
NVDA
NVDA (Non-Visual Desktop Access) is a free, open-source screen reader for Windows desktop computers. It is also one of the most popular screen readers according to a Webaim survey which makes it great for testing the accessibility of web pages.
Install NVDA on Windows
NVDA is approved for use at Nationwide and is available to install on NBS Windows 10 computers.
To get NVDA on your Windows computer, you’ll need to request it through Service Now. To do this:
- Go to the Service Now IT Hub
- From the IT Hub home page, select “Request Something”.
- Next, select “software”.
- Next, select “Non-catalogued Software”.
- Fill in the “non-catalogued software” form
- For Vendor, use “NV Access.”
- For Application, use “NVAccess_NVDA_2022.2_PR1.0”.
- For the software version, use “2022.2.”
Please note it may take up to 24 hours for NVDA to be approved, processed and released automatically to your computer after making a request.
Use NVDA on BrowserStack
NVDA is the only Windows screen reader available on BrowserStack. Please be aware that support for all features of NVDA is limited. For example, not all NVDA shortcuts are available on BrowserStack. Due to the limitations of BrowserStack, you will also need to test NVDA on an actual device or use virtualisation software.
Narrator
Narrator is a screen reader built into Windows computers since Windows 2000. It’s not as popular as JAWS or NVDA and will not interpret poor code as well. For this reason, it should not be the sole Windows screen reader in a testing strategy, as it may give unexpected results.
Install Narrator on Windows
Narrator is available on all NBS Windows 10 machines. It’s built into Windows by default, so you don’t need to do anything to install it.
Use Narrator on BrowserStack
Narrator is unavailable on BrowserStack, and can only be tested using an actual device or use virtualisation software.
JAWS
JAWS (Job Access with Speech) is a paid screen reader and one of the world’s most popular Windows screen readers. JAWS has excellent performance and is highly configurable. However, it is more complicated to use than other Windows screen readers.
Install JAWS on Windows
Currently, JAWS is not available for testing at Nationwide. JAWS requires a licence and at more than £1000 for a single user, it is not a cost-effective option for screen reader testing.
JAWS has a free 40-minute mode, which can be used for testing if necessary. Please note this way of running JAWS should be used only occasionally due to licensing requirements.
Use JAWS on BrowserStack
JAWS is not available to test on BrowserStack.
Mac desktop screen readers
VoiceOver (macOS)
VoiceOver for macOS is a free screen reader built into Mac computers. It’s not as robust, or as widely used as some of the Windows screen readers, so it shouldn’t be used as the only screen reader in a screen reader testing strategy.
Install VoiceOver on macOS
VoiceOver for macOS is available on all NBS Macs. It’s built into the operating system, so you don’t need to do anything to install it.
Use VoiceOver (macOS) on BrowserStack
VoiceOver for macOS is available for testing on BrowserStack. Please see the BrowserStack documentation for macOS supported versions/browser combinations.
Mobile Screen Readers
VoiceOver (iOS)
VoiceOver for iOS is a free screen reader built into Apple devices such as iPhones, iPads and Apple Watches.
Install VoiceOver on an actual device
VoiceOver for iOS is available on all Apple mobile devices. It’s built into the operating system, so you don’t need to do anything to install it.
Use VoiceOver (iOS) on BrowserStack
VoiceOver for iOS is not available for testing on iOS devices on BrowserStack.
Xcode
For testing websites and native apps, you can run Xcode on macOS and use macOS VoiceOver to test in the iOS simulator. VoiceOver for iOS is unavailable in the simulator, so you can use VoiceOver for macOS instead. Please note that VoiceOver for macOS and VoiceOver for iOS do not behave exactly the same way, so do not rely on this method of screen reader testing alone. Make sure that actual device testing takes place as well.
TalkBack (Android)
TalkBack is a free Google screen reader for use on Android devices. It responds to touch and swipe commands, allowing users with visual impairments to interact with websites and apps.
Install TalkBack on an actual device
On most Android devices, TalkBack is built-in, so you don’t need to do anything to install it. If it isn’t available, TalkBack can be installed from the Android Accessibility Suite.
Use TalkBack on BrowserStack
TalkBack is available for testing on BrowserStack, however, it is only available on some Android 12 devices. Please see the BrowserStack documents for supported Android devices.
Use TalkBack with Android Studio
For testing native apps, TalkBack can be enabled on an emulator using Android Studio. You’ll need to use an emulator with the Google Play store directly integrated to install TalkBack from the Android Accessibility Suite.
Use Virtualisation Software
Windows screen readers such as NVDA, Narrator and JAWS can be run on a Mac using Parallels virtualisation software. You’ll need a licence to run Parallels, a Windows development licence, and any screen reader licences, all of which will come under a business area or project budget.
It’s always best to test Windows screen readers on an actual device, e.g., a Windows computer. However, virtualisation software is a good way of testing if there isn’t a Windows device available.