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How to Test Your Site with a Screen Reader

Automated scans catch about a third of issues. The rest you find by experiencing your site the way assistive-technology users do — and the tools are free.

The free tools

On Mac, VoiceOver is built in (Cmd+F5). On Windows, NVDA is a free download. On iPhone, VoiceOver lives in Accessibility settings; on Android, TalkBack.

What to listen for

Navigate by headings and links. Does each link make sense out of context? Are images announced meaningfully or as file names? Can you complete a form by sound alone?

Fix what you hear

Anything confusing to listen to is a real barrier. Most fixes trace back to the basics: alt text, labels, heading structure, and accessible names for controls.

Check your site against these rules — free

Run an instant scan and get a plain-English list of exactly what to fix.

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More guides

The WCAG 2.1 AA Checklist for Small BusinessesADA Website Lawsuits, ExplainedHow to Write Alt Text (With Examples)Color Contrast Requirements (WCAG 1.4.3)How to Build Accessible FormsKeyboard Navigation & Focus