Why Learn About Web Accessibility
Screen Readers: ChromeVox
We are introducing you to the ChromeVox screen reader early in the materials here so you have plenty of opportunity to practice using it. It will be a useful tool for understanding what creates barriers in web content, and it will be used throughout the units here to experience and understand barriers firsthand.
For day-to-day screen reader testing, ChromeVox (particularly, the ChromeVox plugin for the Chrome web browser) is our screen reader of choice because of its simple installation and configuration, its ability to work across computer platforms, and it is free and open source.
While a relatively small number of screen reader users currently use ChromeVox, it is a highly effective tool for developers when testing web content. Also, ChromeVox is tailored to work with elements of Google Drive, so even for users of other screen readers, ChromeVox may be preferable when working with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides.
Toolkit: Visit the Chrome store while using the Chrome web browser to install the ChromeVox screen reader. It will be a key element of your Toolkit.
Key Point: Though we recommend using ChromeVox for activities in the units that follow, if you already use another screen reader regularly, you are free to use it if you prefer.
ChromeVox Installation
- Open the Chrome web browser.
- Type “ChromeVox” into the browser’s location bar and press the Enter key.
- In the search results that appear, ChromeVox should be the first. Follow that link to the Chrome Web Store.
- On the ChromeVox page in the store, click on the “Add to Chrome” link to start the installation.
- In the dialog that opens, click “Add to Chrome.”
- When the installation is complete, ChromeVox will announce it is ready, and a small dialog will open pointing out the ChromeVox icon added to the Chrome toolbar. (You’ll need speakers or headphones to hear ChromeVox.)
- Click on the ChromeVox icon in the Chrome toolbar, then choose Options.
- On the Options screen, click in the Modifier Key field, and set the key, typically by pressing the Alt key. In the key commands when you see the “ChromeVox” or “Cvox” prefix before a specific key, this is referring to the modifier key you set.
- If Alt conflicts with other key commands on your system, try using Ctrl, or Ctrl+Alt.
- You may also want to adjust the voice used by ChromeVox, on the Options page.
- You may also want to set the reading speed, by pressing Cvox + [ to speed up reading, and Cvox + ] to slow the rate.
Note: The Cvox key is held down while pressing other keys. For example, to turn ChromeVox on or off, press the Cvox key (e.g., Alt) and hold it, then quickly press the “A” key twice (i.e., Cvox + A + A).
The videos below show you how to install and begin using ChromeVox.
Video: Installing ChromeVox by The Chang School
Video: ChromeVox Demo by Google Open Online Education
ChromeVox and Associated Key Commands
Key Point: Download the ChromeVox Key Commands (Word),