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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 11:55AM

I'll say that many clients tell us that 90% of their users are using Chrome and thus they only care about Chrome and we shouldn't test their content with any other browser. Having metrics about browser usage from a client site is compelling to tell them that the browser used by the general public may not be the browser that is used by most people using assistive technology. The WebAIM screen reader survey is helpful but having other metrics to back that up is important. So when I speak to analytic information I'm by no means referring only to screen reader users or implying that an alternative version of anything should be shown to the user. As I mentioned many sites today use high contrast detect and also reflow content based on zoom level. Adapting the same content for responsive sites is a prime example of how this can benefit users with disabilities. Responsive sites allow for linearization and increased sized of text benefiting users with disabilities. Knowing that people are viewing responsive sites helps to convince clients that they should invest in responsive sites.

As you point out people who are not blind use screen readers and different interfaces. People who don't have dexterity challenges also use Dragon. So I see this not about detecting disability but about knowing how the user wants to interact with your site -- whether it be their voice, keyboard, or a touch screen.

Jonathan

Jonathan Avila
Chief Accessibility Officer
SSB BART Group 
<EMAIL REMOVED>
703.637.8957 (Office)
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