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Re: Strikethrough Content with Screen Readers

for

From: Bevi Chagnon | PubCom
Date: Nov 19, 2010 10:21AM

Vieky wrote:
" Eg: New Price<del>30</del>20$. In this case, if JAWS settings are not
done, it reads it as "New Price 3020$". This is incorrect information. "

Another way to address this problem is to restructure the sentence when
possible. Use just plain old-fashioned grammar and editing techniques rather
than force technology to fit the situation.

In Vieky's example, it would become:
Was $30, now reduced to $20.

If you're selling a product, that's a much more effective sales method than
the technical accessibility mark-up.

Another situation where I've found screen readers mis-read the content when
an n-dash or hyphen is used in a series. Correct American English grammar
rules would require n-dashes in these examples:
9-5 business hours.
50-100 people can be accommodated in the auditorium.
open Monday-Friday.

To ensure A.T. reads these samples correctly, write out the "to" and
"through" rather than use n-dashes or hyphens:
9 to 5 business hours.
50 to 100 people.
open Monday through Friday.
They're now guaranteed to be read correctly by all people, whether they're
using an A.T. technology or not.

--Bevi Chagnon

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