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Re: Web development; How to identify if a screen reader is in use

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From: Jonathan Avila
Date: May 11, 2017 10:15AM

> Even if it comes from good intentions, I am loathe to support an idea that results in a "separate, but equal" experience.

Any technology has the capacity to be mis-used -- telephones are mis-used everyday to spam or harass callers. However, overlooking the benefits of a potential technology must be considered. Any intention to identify user behaviors has benefits. For example, scripts already exist to identify high contrast users in order to provide them with equivalent information when background images are turned off. Responsive websites are used every day and adjust to the users viewport width which is based on factors including low vision users using the zoom feature in your browsers. So I would urge people to consider this not as a means to track people with disabilities to better understand how users are interacting with your website and provide adaptability and flexibility to those users.

Jonathan

Jonathan Avila
Chief Accessibility Officer
SSB BART Group 
<EMAIL REMOVED>
703.637.8957 (Office)
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-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Thompson, Rachel
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 12:09 PM
To: WebAIM Discussion List
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Web development; How to identify if a screen reader is in use

Hi, all.

Automatic detection of assistive technology presents problems in my world. We cannot legally "out" someone with a disability and this approach has the potential to do that. This would certainly be an issue for our lawyers if it existed on any sort of application materials for attending or working at our institution.

Even if it comes from good intentions, I am loathe to support an idea that results in a "separate, but equal" experience.

Hope you have a good day,
Rachel

Dr. Rachel S. Thompson
Director, Emerging Technology and Accessibility The Center for Instructional Technology The University of Alabama
110 Russell Hall
Box 870248
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Phone 205-348-0216
<EMAIL REMOVED> | http://cit.ua.edu | http://accessibility.ua.edu


-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Beranek, Nicholas
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 10:58 AM
To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Web development; How to identify if a screen reader is in use

Hi John,

Not for Web Accessibility. On iOS, we have the ability to detect whether or not assistive technologies like VoiceOver are running, but this is only through native applications. I remember discussions about how people would feel if developers could detect whether or not they're using a screen reader, magnifier, or other AT. I don't recall what came out of those discussions.

I gave a talk about data and accessibility and how we're unable to get numbers related to screen reader usage. If we could, would we use it to "water down" the experience? We are firm believers at Capital One in providing an inclusive and enriching experience regardless of disability.

I think it's time to discuss this very topic again. Thanks for bringing it up.

Nick Beranek
Capital One

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of John Contarino x245
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2017 11:48 AM
To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
Subject: [WebAIM] Web development; How to identify if a screen reader is in use

Hi,
Is it possible in web site development to identify if a screen reader is in use by the end user?
Similar to how different browsers are identified and can be interpreted in code based on browser.
Thanks.

John Contarino
Programmer Analyst


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