How to use a screen reader for accessibility testing

What screen reading software can highlight about accessibility for blind and visually impaired website visitors

Why you should attend

There are 2 million people in the UK with a vision impairment. This is predicted to double by 2050. Do you think you’d be able to accomplish basic tasks on your website without looking at the screen? Sighted users distinguish interactive controls from text via appearance; screen reader users need to be made aware.

Using a screen reader for testing the accessibility of your website is a valuable way to highlight what changes might need to be made. This course will show you how to use some of the most common screen reader software out there to outline any issues you need to rectify on your site. 

Who will benefit from this training?

The intended audiences for this training include anyone wishing to use a screen reader to test for accessibility of web content, primarily developers and testers. 

Level of training: Suitable for all levels of knowledge

Get 10 training courses for the price of 8

To help you get even better value in the year ahead, we have a 10 for the price of 8 bundle on 2024 AbilityNet online training courses for you and your team to enjoy. 


Book your training bundle
 


Book Now: Thursday 20 March 2025

  • 13:00 - 14:30 GMT

Attendees of the live training session will receive a Certificate of Attendance to add to their professional development training portfolio.

If you're looking for training for more than 8 people on a single course, please contact us about our great value in-house training options.

Buy on demand

Attendees of the live training will receive a recording of the course. If you are not attending the live training you can buy an existing recording of the course on demand:

Contact us for in-house training 

Upskill your team so together we can create a more accessible digital world.

Use this form if you'd like to book this great value training course for your team of 8 or more people, at a date and time you choose.

The fields marked with an asterisk symbol (*) are mandatory.

What you will learn

  • Screen reader basics​
  • Different mobile and desktop screen reader software 
  • Browser features and system tools 
  • Screen magnifiers with screen reader readers 
  • Literacy tools
  • Some cool screen reader-related apps​

Here's Adi, one of AbilityNet's accessibility consultants, who will be leading this session, demonstrating on this new video from Which? how testing for accessibility by using a screenreader is so valuable:

"Very insightful and informative."  
"The explanation of the various screen readers and how to test using them will help me more effectively spot accessibility issues in content."
“I’ve found the sessions useful in bringing the range of accessibility issues to our attention, from website navigation to ensuring that images are meaningful to the visually impaired… I’d say that the training is essential for those responsible for the content of public websites.”

Meet your trainer - Ryan Robertson

Ryan Robertson smiling

Ryan is an accessibility and usability consultant at AbilityNet. His role involves providing in-depth consultancy to a wide range of organisations, including carrying out accessibility audits and usability testing. He has worked in the accessibility sector for over 10 years providing guidance and training to developers and end users. He also holds a degree in Tropical Disease Biology from the University of Liverpool.

He is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies by the IAAP.  

His interests outside of work include snow sports and everything to do with coffee.

Important information 

Class size: We limit the number of people on our training courses to ensure all attendees can engage with the presenter, ask questions and have an informative experience.

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Date and time

Click on the date below to book your place for a future course:

Thursday 20 March 2025
13:00 to 14:30 GMT

Location

Online via Zoom

Accessibility

  • Delivered on Zoom using its automated captions feature
  • Advanced sharing of slides if required
  • Captioned recording with transcript provided

More information
Got any questions? Email us: training@abilitynet.org.uk

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You can also download our training brochure.

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