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Re: Developers don't detect my screen reader

for

From: Moore,Michael (HHSC)
Date: Aug 10, 2015 8:40AM

In my opinion AT detection would pose several unacceptable risks. First is a privacy issue. Using automated AT detection is requiring someone to make a declaration of a disability without their consent. Would you find it acceptable to deploy something on your that would allow you to automatically detect the race, gender, sexual orientation or age of the site visitor and then make changes based upon those findings?

Second is a security risk. Reliably detecting what software is running on a system involves deeper penetration into the OS layer of the system to detect which process are running. Thus for an OS to allow this creates a dangerous security hole.

Best practice is to design a site that everyone can use. It will work better for everyone. I don't see any problem with allowing users to set preferences and customize the interface for themselves with the option of having those settings be persistent on subsequent site visits.

Mike Moore
Accessibility Coordinator
Texas Health and Human Services Commission
Civil Rights Office
(512) 438-3431 (Office)
(512) 574-0091 (Cell)

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Léonie Watson
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2015 9:19 AM
To: 'WebAIM Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Developers don't detect my screen reader

> 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