[Trainer-Talk] Fwd: [nfbcs] FW: [Njtechdiv] ranking the three screen readers with windows 10 anniversary update

[Wayne Merritt]

I saw a response to the original article from Brian Hartgen at the
following link:
http://www.hartgen-home.org/node/76
He brings up some interesting points which contrast the article. A
lesson for everyone to do their research.

Kind regards,
Wayne

On 8/11/16, Scott Davert via Trainer-Talk <trainer-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I'm glad he highlighted the fact that there is no support for braille
> displays. The sad fact remains that Jaws still comes out ahead of the others
> in terms of braille support. NVDA has it, but there are several issues that
> have gone unresolved for quite some time. Thank you for passing this on,
> nancy!
>
> Scott
>
> Scott Davert, MA, VRT
> Coordinator, New York Deaf-Blind Equipment Distribution Program
> Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youths and Adults (HKNC)
> 141 Middle Neck Rd.
> Sands Point, NY 11050
> scott.davert at hknc.org
> 516-393-7561 (Voice)
> http://www.icanconnect.org/new-york :: HKNC: http://www.hknc.org
>
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> -----Original Message-----
> From: Trainer-Talk [mailto:trainer-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Nancy Coffman via Trainer-Talk
> Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2016 8:47 AM
> To: Trainer-talk <trainer-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Nancy Coffman <nancy.l.coffman at gmail.com>
> Subject: [Trainer-Talk] Fwd: [nfbcs] FW: [Njtechdiv] ranking the three
> screen readers with windows 10 anniversary update
>
> I thought this was interesting, and something some of us might need to know.
> Here it is.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> Begin forwarded message:
>
>> From: Tracy Carcione via nfbcs <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>> Date: August 10, 2016 at 6:35:41 AM CDT
>> To: "'NFB in Computer Science Mailing List'" <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Tracy Carcione <carcione at access.net>
>> Subject: [nfbcs] FW: [Njtechdiv] ranking the three screen readers with
>> windows 10 anniversary update
>> Reply-To: NFB in Computer Science Mailing List <nfbcs at nfbnet.org>
>>
>> Here's an interesting opinion about access to Windows 10.
>> Tracy
>>
>> Ranking Screen Readers In Windows10 Anniversary Update: The Results Will
>> Surprise You!
>>
>> James Oates On August 9, 2016
>>
>>
>> Share via Twitter
>> Share via Facebook
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>> Share via Email
>> Share via Reddit
>> Share via LinkedIn
>>
>> 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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