Color contrast is an essential element of web accessibility as it helps users perceive content on a page. One of the most common accessibility concerns is the low color contrast between text and backgrounds.
For example, if a screen reader detects the code for a table of information on a page, it will trigger commands such as ones that allow the table to be navigated horizontally or vertically.
Having well-structured code is extremely important for screen reader software to work properly because the presence of certain bits of code will trigger a command. Web accessibility issues for people with visual impairments occur when they encounter a website that is not coded to be both keyboard-navigable and to support assistive technology. Refreshable braille displays are used alongside screen reader software that gathers the content information from a web page and converts it into braille characters to be displayed. In order to do all of these things though, the website must be coded for accessibility.Ī refreshable braille display allows users with visual impairments to read text output on a screen through the raising and lowering of pins through holes on a flat surface in braille combinations. Screen readers can read all or part of the visible text on a page, read certain text which is not visible to sighted users (such as alt text), and detect text formatting within a document. There are also some commercial screen readers, such as the popular JAWS software. All operating systems now come with screen readers. For example, a command may allow a reader to navigate a web page, read part of a document, or make a selection.
Since screen readers don’t rely on a mouse, they generally operate by responding to various keyboard commands. Those with visual impairments use assistive technology like screen readers, screen enlargement tools, or refreshable braille displays to access the internet.Ī screen reader is a type of software that works with the operating system to provide information about icons, menus, files, folders, and dialogue boxes. The web is a very visual medium, so visual impairments can cause significant accessibility issues.