WebAIM - Web Accessibility In Mind

E-mail List Archives

Re: Google Sites Accessibility

for

From: jp Jamous
Date: Oct 8, 2024 11:12AM

Based on my humble experience as a screen reader user, opening any file using a browser is still not as accessible as opening that file with the proper application. Whether it is a PDF, Excel, Word or PowerPoint, there is always readability concerns with browser-based applications. Even when I open files through Microsoft Teams or OneDrive, I always set Windows to open them with the proper desktop application. I won't go into the technical part of it in order to keep my response simple. It is primarily a technical limitation on the screen reader's side, due to how it recognizes foreground applications.

As a Digital Accessibility Engineer, I tell developers, UX Designers and A11Y engineers to always recommend the use of desktop-base applications to open PDF, Doc or PPT files. Sure a flat-head screw driver can be used with a Phillips screw head. However, it is not a robust tool like a proper Phillips screw driver. The point is to use the proper tool for the proper file type. That's where many A11Y defects can be eliminated.