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Re: Specifications for AT testing computers

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From: Steve Green
Date: Jul 4, 2017 1:37AM

Hi James,

Since you're working for a UK Government department, it's likely that the GDS Accessibility Guidelines will apply to your testing (in fact the GDS Service Standard probably applies to the entire project).

https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/helping-people-to-use-your-service/making-your-service-accessible-an-introduction

https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/service-standard

This contains a list of assistive technologies that you must test with, which includes Windows, macOS and iOS (but not Android for some reason). Don't even think about running Windows in virtual machines - it's not the same as the real thing.

In fact I would recommend either buying several Windows machines (my preference if you've got the space) or install several SSD drives in one machine so you can have all the different assistive technologies on their own disk - you really don't want multiple screen readers on the same partition. We now build all our machines with 4 disks so we can rapidly boot into different screen readers and other assistive technologies.

Steve Green
Managing Director
Test Partners Ltd
<EMAIL REMOVED>