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Re: Developers don't detect my screen reader

for

From: Léonie Watson
Date: Aug 10, 2015 8:18AM

> From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ]
> On Behalf Of Maxability Accessibility for all
> Sent: 10 August 2015 12:51
> Recently when I am reading some articles on RWD, my mind was struck at
> detecting devices for personalized experience. I thought Why cant
> developers detect screen readers and provide the experience depending on
> the SR used. On a bit of research I got different thoughts from various people
> on the the concept. I have provided my thoughts here.
> http://www.maxability.co.in/2015/08/developers-please-dont-detect-my-
> screen-reader/
> Would like to know your thoughts too.

I find the idea of screen reader detection (or any other kind of AT detection) worrying. I wrote something about the reasons why back in February last year:
http://tink.uk/thoughts-on-screen-reader-detection/

Marco Zehe posted his thoughts on the subject around the same time:
https://www.marcozehe.de/2014/02/27/why-screen-reader-detection-on-the-web-is-a-bad-thing/

Léonie.

--
Senior accessibility engineer @PacielloGroup @leonieWatson