Readers of AccessWorld who have used computers for many years will remember the days before the internet existed. Work was done from within programs such as WordPerfect for writing and editing documents, or a money management program. At the end of the day, the computer was shut down and the process started all over again the next morning. When the average computer user actually began to spend time online, activities consisted of chatting and checking email. Searching online for information yielded just a handful of results that took mere minutes to read.
Today, the experience is quite different. Computers are most always connected to the Internet, and it can sometimes be difficult to determine when an application you are using is working online or offline. Browsing the Web has become an integral part of every computing experience, and the internet is more like a large continent than a small village. There are lots of places to visit, and a lot to see while you're traveling.
Finding one's way around on the Web can be especially daunting for someone who uses a screen reader. A sighted person is able to glance at a computer screen and determine what parts of a webpage are of importance to them. The blind computer user must take much more time to explore the available content, and to develop strategies for returning to places of particular interest. More blind people are using computers than ever before, and a live trainer is often not available to teach users about the complexities of using a computer and assistive technology.
Fortunately, many excellent resources have become available over the past several years, including audio tutorials that allow a blind person to learn key concepts at their own pace, and to repeat the learning experience as many times as needed. One company that has earned a place of respect in the area of high-quality audio tutorials is Mystic Access. Anyone who has used tutorials produced by this company will most certainly recognize the voice of Kim Loftis, Director of Product Development. Loftis's warm, engaging style coupled with her thorough grasp of the subject matter in question make for tutorials that are easy to follow and stand the test of repeated listens. Topics covered include learning to use the Victor Reader Stream and BrailleNote Touch, both from Humanware, and comprehensive discussions of the Amazon Echo and Google Home products.
While most Mystic Access audio tutorials cover a single product or suite of products, the company's recent tutorial on browsing the internet takes a different approach. "Stress Less, Browse Happy: Your Guide to More Easily and Effectively Navigating the Internet with a Screen Reader," available in both DAISY and MP3 files for $24.97, provides a plethora of common-sense strategies for navigating the internet regardless of which screen reader or browser you're using.
Coming in at just under three hours, the tutorial is easy to listen through in a single day. Loftis actually suggests that the student listen through the tutorial once without actually following along at the computer, something that is rare in most tutorials. It doesn't take long to understand why she makes this suggestion, however. The "Stress Less" tutorial is more of a friendly conversation than a classroom lesson. Loftis shares tips and tricks that work for her as a blind person when it comes to surfing the internet, and gives frequent demonstrations of what to expect when surfing a variety of websites including Amazon, and, not surprisingly, the Mystic Access site itself.
Mindset Matters
The "Stress Less" tutorial is divided into three parts. In the first part, Loftis tackles the importance of keeping a positive mindset when learning to browse the Web effectively as a blind person. She compares the internet to a city, and talks about the various ways a traveler might approach visiting a new location. If one has time, leisurely sightseeing can be of great benefit and enjoyment. At other times, focusing on key locations of particular interest is the most advantageous strategy.
Loftis takes the time to address a couple points that are perhaps not stated as often as they should be. She points out that, while visiting a website for the first time can be much slower for a blind person than for a sighted person, familiarity with a given site will eventually make it possible to move around very quickly, perhaps even allowing a blind person to navigate a webpage faster than their sighted counterparts. This is because screen readers take advantage of keystrokes that allow the user to move to various elements of a page such as headings, form fields, and links very rapidly. Loftis also talks about the importance of keeping the voice rate of one's screen reader at a comfortable level. While one person may be able to listen at a high rate of speed, others will need to slow their screen reader down considerably in order to feel comfortable and to process the content most effectively.
Navigating: No Problem
The real meat of the "Stress Less" tutorial is found in Part 2, where discussion turns to navigating webpages. Loftis does not give any recommendations for which browser to use, and, in fact, does not even tell the student which browser she's using. Through the course of the tutorial, it becomes apparent that all demonstrations are done using the NVDA screen reader, although commands are given for the NVDA and JAWS screen readers for Windows, and VoiceOver on the Mac. A brief discussion of webpage navigation on mobile devices is saved for Part 3 of the tutorial, with no actual demonstrations provided.
Loftis takes the student through the simplest of navigation techniques including arrowing up and down a page, moving to links on a webpage, finding headings, lists, form fields, and much more. She does not cover topics such as setting place markers on a webpage, or other techniques that are unique to certain screen readers. All of her tips will be beneficial to everyone, regardless of the operating system, browser, or screen reader being used.
Loftis also discusses more advanced topics, such as moving to various landmarks or regions on a webpage—something that is possible using all screen readers. She provides examples of webpages whose content changes dynamically, so that a new page is not loaded each time a link is activated. She talks about sites that require you to take specific actions such as clicking an "OK" button before you can move anywhere else on the page. These are just a few examples of advanced topics covered in the tutorial.
Putting It All Together
Through all of her discussion, Loftis takes care to remind the student there is no single correct way to navigate a website. There are many tools available, and the user must decide what works best for them. This point is important enough that it is restated at the beginning of Part 3 of the tutorial. The third part of the tutorial is also where a discussion of mobile browsing resides.
The Bottom Line
Learning to use a computer can be daunting for many people, and those with a visual impairment can find their frustrations compounded many times over. For anyone who learns best when they are talked through a task, "Stress Less, Browse Happy: Your Guide to More Easily and Effectively Navigating the Internet with a Screen Reader" may be just the tutorial you are looking for. Loftis presents information in a clear, concise manner and gives plenty of examples throughout.
Product Information
"Stress Less, Browse Happy: Your Guide to More Easily and Effectively Navigating the Internet with a Screen Reader" is available from Mystic Access for $24.97, and comes in both DAISY and MP3 formats for one price.
Related articles:
- Book Review: The New Edition of iOS Access for All: Your Comprehensive Guide to Accessibility for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch, by Shelly Brisbin by Bill Holton
- Book Review: iOS 11 Without the Eye by Jonathan Mosen by Jamie Pauls
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