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Re: [EXTERNAL]Forcing screen reader pronunciation of abbreviationimportant to a brand

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From: Tim Harshbarger
Date: Apr 13, 2018 12:20PM

Personally, I would recommend not altering how the screen reader pronounces the acronym--unless you have specific evidence that demonstrates that it is causing problems for your users.

Those of us who rely on screen readers are actually quite familiar with how screen readers pronounce or mispronounce words. In fact, the only time I think I know of where such a thing created more than just a minor nuisance was when the actual word and the mispronounced word both fit the context. For example, NE. In the context of directions having NVDA read NE as northeast when it could mean either the direction or an acronym for a company would be confusing. NVDA saying "northeast" for NE in a context where it would only refer to the company's acronym would not.

Again I wouldn't spend time trying to do this unless you have specific information indicating that it is causing problems for screen reader users.

Thanks,
Tim