WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: Screen Reader tests after code validation

for

From: Monir ElRayes
Date: Mar 8, 2010 9:51AM

Hi Mike,

I think it is best to test based on verifying the logical structure against
the standards (as you are doing) and to then use JAWS as a sanity check,
possibly on a representative sample of the web pages/PDF files you have
remediated.

For PDF, you may also want to consider using the 'Verify and Remediate'
feature in CommonLook which "plays" the file based on its logical structure,
thus simulating the functionality of a screen reader (but is much faster).

Best Regards,

Monir ElRayes
President
NetCentric Technologies

-----Original Message-----
From: <EMAIL REMOVED>
[mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Langum, Michael J
Sent: March-08-10 10:06 AM
To: 'WebAIM Discussion List'
Subject: [WebAIM] Screen Reader tests after code validation

Until now, we have based our 508 testing and remediation on careful reviews
of HTML code and PDF tags (rather than simply listening to a screen reader
rendition of the content). We have assumed that if the content meets
standards, and best practices, then it will be usable in JAWS.

But I'm wondering if we should re-think this approach. Maybe a final "test
with a screen reader" review would add more value than it would cost in
terms of additional time, software, hardware, and training.

I am interested in the group's wisdom regarding:

1. How much added value is there in testing content in JAWS, after it has
been evaluated at the code/tag level using automated and manual methods?
2. If we are to add JAWS testing to our program, should we get JAWS
Standard version, or JAWS Professional version?
3. Should JAWS evaluations be done for every word of every document (even
in larger documents), or is a policy of spot testing randomly selected
content adequate?
4. Is the "JAWS for developers" training offered by SSB Bart (or some
other vendor I do not know of) worth the cost - compared to self-teaching
based on the JAWS "help files?"

I'm also interested in any other "words of wisdom."

-- Mike