Google Pagespeed Insights: Accessibility Matters for Screen Readers

byBrendaMZ

7.4K followers

Updated 1 year ago

(cover image: a person checking Google Pagespeed Insights score)

Google Pagespeed Insights: Accessibility Matters for Screen Readers

Hi, my fellow WAers,

What is your accessibility score in Google Pagespeed Insights for mobile and desktop? You can help screen readers read your site if it isn't accessible. Screen readers help people with vision challenges read your site.

If you want your website to be genuinely accessible and user-friendly, you should prioritize optimizing it for screen readers. People with visual challenges can easily navigate and consume online content with these assistive technologies.

In this post, I discuss what a screen reader does, why accessibility matters, and common problem areas that can hinder their experience on your site. In addition to tips on improving your accessibility score, I encourage you to make your website more accessible to screen readers.

What is a Screen Reader

Digital content can be accessed and navigated by individuals with visual challenges using screen reader software. In addition to reading aloud the text on a computer screen or mobile device, screen reader devices in braille are also available for people with vision challenges.

Screenshot 1

Photo Screenshot of a Braille keyboard screen reader.

For individuals who are blind, deaf, or deaf-blind, screen readers use various techniques to interpret and vocalize content, including text-to-speech synthesis and Braille display, because screen readers allow them to interact with websites, applications, documents, and other digital resources, accessibility matters to these people.

Screenshot 2

Screenshot Photo of a Braille Laptop

How Does Screen Readers Work?

With screen readers that use refreshable Braille displays or text-to-speech synthesis, users can read content from the screen aloud. Refreshable Braille displays can provide Braille output, while text-to-speech synthesis can be read aloud. Users can choose between Braille output and text-to-speech synthesis, depending on their system.

Screenshot 3

Screenshot of some screen reader software available for vision-challenged persons.

1. Identifies and reads out information about the page or element they are pointing: If the user moves their cursor around with a keyboard or mouse, including headings, links, images, forms, and tables

2. Navigate menus and web pages: A screen reader program usually allows users to adjust the speed and volume settings and how links or headings are announced.

3. Read-out-loud website content like articles and headings: Using keyboard commands specifically designed for screen readers, a user can jump between sections of a webpage using shortcuts or landmarks.

4. Audio feedback and convert textual information into spoken words or Braille output. Thus, these individuals can participate in online activities independently with these accessible features in the screen reader software.

In addition to providing equal access to the web to visually challenged individuals, software developers and designers must be aware of how their choices affect assistive technology users. When optimizing your website, you can ensure it is accessible to all users by following accessibility guidelines and best practices.

Why Does Accessibility Matter for Screen Readers?

Accessibility is essential to creating websites and online platforms in today's digital age. The importance of screen readers cannot be overstated when discussing accessibility. People with visual challenges can access and navigate web content using these assistive technologies.

The statistics show the importance of how accessibility matters.

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Screenshot Photo of Statistics shows a high percentage of physical challenges; blindness is higher in this photo, so accessibility to them matters.

Why does accessibility matter specifically for screen readers?

1. Fully Engage and Interact: Like any other user, these vision-challenge individuals can browse web pages, read text content, fill out forms, interact with information, and perform tasks.

2. Compliance: A website's content must meet specific standards and guidelines. Otherwise, it could violate the law.

3. Improve User Experience: A website that is accessible is easier to use and navigate. With proper coding, instructions, and labels, users can understand the information presented more efficiently, leading to better user experiences.

4. Boost SEO: Besides helping search engine optimization (SEO), accessibility-friendly content makes it easier for search engine bots to crawl and rank pages higher.

Another interesting fact: These screen reader users are more mobile now than ever.

Screenshot 5

Screenshot photo of screen reader users are using their mobile devices.

Screenshot 6

Screenshot of Color Contrast rules for websites

Problem Areas that Screen Reader Can't Read

Regarding web accessibility, ensuring that screen readers can navigate and interpret a website's content effectively is one of the biggest challenges. Despite great strides in improving accessibility, screen readers still face specific difficulties despite the technology not being perfect.

Specific Common Problem Areas that Screen Readers Can't Read

1. Color Contrast: It is difficult for screen readers to understand color contrast, a critical web accessibility issue. Your website must have a minimum color contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for text and images. Low contrast can make it difficult for screen readers to distinguish different elements on the page

Screenshot 6

Screenshot of Color Contrast rules for websites

2. Headings or Links Not Labeled: The layout and navigation are complex for someone using a screen reader because essential elements, such as headings and links, are not adequately labeled or structured.

3. Alt Text Images: Screen readers read out the file name without alt text or skip over the idea altogether, leaving visually impaired users at a loss.

4. Complex Navigation Menus: Providing clear labels and instructions for drop-down menus and interactive elements that require mouse actions is crucial to making your site accessible to screen reader users.

5. Email Forms or Other Forms: If form fields lack descriptive labels or are correctly associated with their corresponding input areas, individuals using assistive technology find it easier to fill out forms correctly.

6. Keyboard Navigation: For screen readers to navigate websites effectively, some interactive elements, such as dropdown menus or forms, must be properly coded so that users can use the keyboard instead of a mouse.

To overcome these challenges, websites must become more inclusive and accessible. By providing alternative text for images, optimizing navigation menus and form fields, and ensuring accessible document formats are used whenever possible, we can create an online environment where all visitors can fully engage with our content.

How to Improve Your Accessibility Score for Screen Readers

Improving your accessibility score for screen readers is crucial to ensuring that all users can access and navigate your website effectively. Here are some tips to help you enhance the accessibility of your site:

Screenshot 7

Screenshot of my PPC site showing these problems that I need to fix. Background and foreground colors do not have a sufficient contrast ratio. I will fix this.

1. Use descriptive alt text: When adding images to your website, provide alternative text (alt text) that describes the image's content. This helps screen readers understand what the image represents.

2. Structure your content with headings: Properly structuring your content using heading tags (H1, H2, etc.) improves readability and allows screen readers to navigate different sections efficiently.

3. Provide transcripts for multimedia: If you have videos or audio files on your site, consider offering transcripts or captions so that individuals who cannot hear or prefer reading can still access the information.

4. Ensure keyboard navigation: Screen reader users often rely on keyboard navigation instead of a mouse. Therefore, it's essential to ensure that all interactive elements on your website are accessible via keyboard commands.

5. Choose color contrasts wisely: Make sure there is sufficient contrast between text and background colors so that visually impaired users can read the content comfortably.

6. Use a Plugin: See Screenshot 8

Screenshot 8

Screenshot of a WordPress Plugin

If you implement these strategies, you'll take significant steps towards improving accessibility for screen reader users on your website!

Final Thoughts

Creating an accessible digital environment for all users is essential, and one effective way of doing so is to use Google Pagespeed Insights. It is wise to leverage available tools and best practices in web design to ensure inclusivity and equality online. Screen reader users must be given paramount consideration when designing websites. That guarantees that everybody can participate. That is why accessibility matters for your website.

-BrendaMZ

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