Accessibility 101: Testing with a Screen Reader

Join us for a hands-on introduction to testing with a screen reader, facilitated by accessibility specialist Steve Barnett. He'll take you through some short and straightforward practical exercises to help you get started using a screen reader to explore web content.

Bring along your laptop if you can!

In this session, you'll learn:

• about the two modes of screen readers, and how to switch between them

• how to navigate around a page using screen reader keyboard shortcuts

• how screen readers announce structure, content and interactive elements

• how to pause speech, and go back and find your place again

• where to find more help on screen reader testing.

If you use Windows, it would be helpful if you could download the free NVDA screen reader before the session.

Doors will open at 5pm for a 5:30pm start.

Note: it's really tricky to facilitate a hybrid (in-person and online) workshop. As a result, the focus will be on the in-person workshop. Online participants can follow along, but the most hands-on experience will be in-person. Thanks for your understanding.

Steve Barnett is a human-centred front-end developer. He helps software teams make more user-friendly software. He's been building things for the web professionally since 2005 (and for fun for a while before that).

Accessibility has been a part of his work for many years. Now it's part of his job title too! He makes sites and apps that everyone can use, regardless of their device, the network they're on, or any disabilities they may have.