Assistive technology guide, Testing with assistive technology
As a miminum test web products with all supported assistive technology (AT) to be considered acceptable for a live release.
The assistive technology is based on results from the 2019 WebAIM screen reader survey, 2016 GOV.UK assistive technology survey, along with advice from BBC assistive technology specialists and audience statistics.
Supported AT
Test with the latest version available.
| Assistive technology | Operating system | Browser | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| TalkBack | Android | Chrome | Screen reader |
| VoiceOver on iPhone | iOS | Safari | Screen reader |
| Voice Access | Android | Chrome | Speech recognition |
| Voice Control | iOS | Safari | Speech recognition |
| Assistive technology | Operating system | Browser | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| ClaroRead or Read&Write | Windows | Chrome | Reading solution |
| ZoomText Magnifier / Reader | Windows | Chrome | Screen magnifier with speech |
| JAWS | Windows | Chrome & Edge | Screen reader |
| NVDA | Windows | Firefox ESR & Chrome | Screen reader |
| VoiceOver on Mac | Mac OS | Safari | Screen reader |
| Dragon | Windows | Chrome | Speech recognition |
When to test with AT
Test with assistive technology as part of:
- Development - An accessible front-end development approach includes checking code with assistive technology during development.
- UX review - Designers are responsible for reviewing the experience for all users, not just the visual UX. Reviewing the HTML could be one step in the review process. This should never replace reviewing the user experience with a screen reader and other assistive technologies. When a component has been developed and is ready for UX review, designers can review and sign off the screen reader UX during an accessibility swarm.
- Accessibility swarms - Assistive technology testing forms part of an accessibility swarm, along with other accessibliity checks. As a miminum, test with all supported assistive technology during an accessibility swarm to be considered acceptable for a live release.
How to test with AT
Ensure your team has all the equipment you will need, then follow the testing steps.
The testing steps enable anyone, in any role, to use any of the supported assistive technology for the first time.
Always follow the testing steps. This ensures everyone is testing with the same methods in a consistent way, using common techniques.
If the language or languages of your product are not ones that you understand, see the assistive technology testing in a foreign language guide
Back to page contentsTop tips
- Using a screen reader for the first time can be daunting, don't worry, have ago
- The more assistive technology you use, the more familiar and faster you will get
- Always follow the testing steps
- Not sure? Ask an accessibility champion
