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RE: Use of Audio Interferes with Screenreaders?

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From: Richard Sweet
Date: Feb 6, 2004 6:31AM

I'm not an expert on Flash, so excuse that my ignorance on technical issues!

I would encourage you to use the audio narration from an accessiblity point
of view. Many users have disabilites (other than visual impairment) that
make an audio track beneficial. But addressing this particular issue, why
does the narrator have to speak 'automatically'? Could you not have a button
(or similar) to start it? Might not be ideal from a usability point of view,
but could have the advantage of allowing all users to 'repeat' the page's
commentary. Screen-reader users could then choose whether to read the
alternate text or listen to the narration. I suspect many would choose the
latter, as a pleasant break from the electronic voice!

A better alternative might be to provide an option right at the start of the
presentation to 'mute' the voiceover, indicating that this is recommended
for screenreaders.

A last resort: at the start, suggest that screenreader users hit 'Escape' on
loading a new page to cancel the reading. (They can still navigate around
either during or after the narration if required).

Richard