[Njtechdiv] ranking the three screen readers with windows 10 anniversary update

Tue Aug 9 19:30:59 UTC 2016

Oh yes I left that off
Here it is and thanks for asking. . .
Ranking Screen Readers In Windows10 Anniversary Update: The Results Will Surprise You!
 James Oates

From: Eileen Scrivani via Njtechdiv 
Sent: Tuesday, August 09, 2016 2:21 PM
To: New Jersey Technology Division List 
Cc: Eileen Scrivani 
Subject: Re: [Njtechdiv] ranking the three screen readers with windows 10 anniversary update

Jane, 

Thanks for sharing.  By any chance do you know who wrote this article/review?  I didn’t see the author’s name listed in the message.  

Eileen

From: Janie Degenshein via Njtechdiv 
Sent: Tuesday, August 9, 2016 1:43 PM
To: New Jersey Technology Division List 
Cc: Janie Degenshein ; joe ruffalo 
Subject: [Njtechdiv] ranking the three screen readers with windows 10 anniversary update

I got this from one of the many lists I belong to and thought I would share 
this one man's opinion

Ranking Screen Readers In Windows10 Anniversary Update: The Results Will 
Surprise You!

James Oates On August 9, 2016

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In this article, I will attempt to review and rank three of the most popular 
current screen readers that are available at this time. The three screen 
readers were tested on the most recent version of Windows 10 anniversary 
update. This is important because one of the screen readers is Microsoft’s 
most recently updated Narrator. Although ranking the screen readers might 
prove to be quite controversial, I think it can also open up a real discussion 
on which screen readers are most accessible, and even the question of 
accessibility can sometimes be up for debate. I do realize that accessibility 
is determined by personal needs and preferences, so I will attempt to define 
the criteria I used for accessibility in this review.

What Is Accessibility?

Quite simply, I determined that accessibility is the ability to access that 
which needs to be accessed. Also, I take points off accessibility for the 
screen readers that make it difficult to access material by being 
dysfunctional or by making it very difficult to figure out which keystrokes 
need to be used with the material. Some screen readers make you use ridiculous 
key combinations to activate website elements or functions within 
applications. So without further ado, here are the rankings!

Number One: Microsoft Narrator!

It took me about a day to get used to the screen reader, but once I did, I 
realized what a powerful tool Microsoft had created and that the company was 
finally serious about supporting a built-in screen reader for the blind. In 
fact, the only thing I could find wrong with the screen reader was that it did 
not work with my braille display. I am currently working with Microsoft and 
HIMS to see if this problem can be resolved. Besides that one issue, the 
screen reader was fully accessible on all websites and applications. I tested 
the screen readers on Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Groove Music, Skype, 
Dropbox, Microsoft Word, Audacity, Feedback, and the Settings app. Narrator 
now uses something called scan mode. You can toggle this on and off by 
pressing caps lock and space bar. When scan mode is off, you can tab through 
active elements, use Windows keyboard commands, and navigate by means of your 
preferred preference; such as, items, headings, and paragraphs. When scan mode 
is on, you can navigate through everything on the screen—that includes text, 
website elements, and application controls—by using the tab key, arrowing 
around the screen, or employing letter navigation. How often has your screen 
reader announced; “OK button”. And you are wondering; “What am I saying OK 
to?” When scan mode is turned on, you can just arrow up and read the text 
associated with that button. You do need to toggle scan mode off when you want 
to use keyboard commands such as control P to pause a music track or alt F4 to 
close an application. This was the only screen reader that was fully 
functional using Microsoft Edge. It was also the only screen reader that was 
able to read every active element and all text on each website and 
application. Clearly, hands down, Narrator is the winner!

Second-Place Goes to NVDA.

NVDA performed mostly well. The problem is it uses a function called browse 
mode that doesn’t actually work at this time. You’re supposed to be able to 
toggle between focus and browse modes by pressing insert plus spacebar. It’s 
supposed to function like Narrator’s scan mode. Because it didn’t work, 
Microsoft Edge was only able to read active elements, not text, on the screen. 
It was also difficult to read text on other applications. Like I said before, 
you want to know what you’re saying “OK” to. Also, there were other 
applications where you had to switch the pain view to see what else was on the 
screen. That’s OK if you know that there are other pains on the screen. But if 
you don’t, you’re missing out on loads of information. NVDA is still a 
fantastic screen reader and the developers of the project are working on 
fixing browse mode. I suspect they will work out the kinks very soon. But can 
they keep up with all the changes and updates coming from Microsoft on an 
almost daily basis?

JAWS Finishes in a Distant Third.

This wasn’t even close! I don’t even know where to begin! For starters, the 
JAWS display driver interfered with the Microsoft Upgrade Assistant which is a 
program that allows customers to download Windows10 Anniversary Update without 
having to wait for the automatic update. I had to uninstall the Freedom 
Scientific display driver just to download my free copy of Windows 10 
Anniversary Update. Next, JAWS does not work with Microsoft Edge unless you’re 
using the touch cursor. This makes Microsoft’s primary browser virtually 
unusable. This is inexcusable and unacceptable. JAWS has also come up with 
some very convoluted keystroke combinations to interact with elements on 
webpages. I also ran into several situations where JAWS was incapable of 
activating navigation bars on webpages. I just want to know, are the people at 
VFOserious about accessibility, or just interested in convincing people in 
enterprise and government that they are?

Final Thoughts.

I really enjoyed the Mark mobile voice that Narrator uses. I was also 
pleasantly surprised at how quickly the screen reader reacts. I’m now using it 
as my primary screen reader. I of course will always continue to use NVDA as 
well. It is an amazing product and will only continue to improve. They have 
one of the most talented group of developers I’ve ever seen. As for JAWS, I 
can’t think of one good thing to say. And that’s a difficult position for me 
to take. When I first became a teacher 25 years ago, JAWS was the only program 
that made the digital world accessible for me. It was an amazing product, and 
I’ve always shown a great deal of gratitude toward them, but even I have to 
admit that they’re not maintaining their commitment to customers. You don’t 
know how difficult that is for me to say this because I have a great deal of 
loyalty toward the people who helped me when I was younger. I hope the people 
at VFO and Freedom Scientific can turn things around, but most importantly I 
applaud the accessibility team at Microsoft. For years Microsoft has preached 
accessibility but seemed more interested in promoting their own advancement 
within the field of accessibility. The new Microsoft accessibility team is 
finally focusing on their actual customers. What a refreshing change! I have 
also recorded a podcast demonstrating the use and accessibility of Windows 10 
anniversary update. I hope you give it a listen.

Keep Smiling,
Janie Degenshein
"Happiness isn't having what you want, but wanting what you already have"
Facilitator of ECHO
(Eyes Closed Hearts Open)
President, National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey Senior Division
President, National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey Technology Division
NFBNJ newsline coordinator
jdegen16 at comcast.net 

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Keep Smiling,
Janie Degenshein
"Happiness isn't having what you want, but wanting what you already have"
Facilitator of ECHO
(Eyes Closed Hearts Open)
President, National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey Senior Division
President, National Federation of the Blind of New Jersey Technology Division
NFBNJ newsline coordinator
jdegen16 at comcast.net
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