Ryan Jones

A Tale of Two Rooms: Understanding screen reader navigation

For those of us who use screen reading software such as JAWS, NVDA, or VoiceOver to access information on the Web, the user experience can be quite different from those…

January 25, 2018Technical

:root{--palette-text:#0e3c5f;--palette-text-darker:#0a2d47;--palette-text-lighter:#114b76;--palette-text-alt:#6d6e71;--palette-text-alt-darker:#515254;--palette-text-alt-lighter:#88898d;--palette-bg:#fff;--palette-bg-darker:#bfbfbf;--palette-bg-lighter:#fff;--palette-bg-alt:#f7f7f7;--palette-bg-alt-darker:#b9b9b9;--palette-bg-alt-lighter:#fff;--palette-interactive:#1b75bc;--palette-interactive-darker:#14578d;--palette-interactive-lighter:#2192eb;--palette-attention:#db1b7c;--palette-attention-darker:#a4145d;--palette-attention-lighter:#ff219b;--palette-brand-1:#fcb316;--palette-brand-1-darker:#bd8610;--palette-brand-1-lighter:#ffdf1b;--palette-brand-2:#7aadd9;--palette-brand-2-darker:#5b81a2;--palette-brand-2-lighter:#98d8ff;--palette-brand-3:#bdd7ec;--palette-brand-3-darker:#8da1b1;--palette-brand-3-lighter:#ecffff;--palette-brand-4:#eceaea;--palette-brand-4-darker:#b1afaf;--palette-brand-4-lighter:#fff;--palette-dark:#333;--palette-dark-darker:#262626;--palette-dark-lighter:#3f3f3f;--palette-light:#f1f1f1;--palette-light-darker:#b4b4b4;--palette-light-lighter:#fff}.has-background.has-palette-text-background-color{background-color:#0e3c5f}.has-text-color.has-palette-text-color{color:#0e3c5f}.has-background.has-palette-text-alt-background-color{background-color:#6d6e71}.has-text-color.has-palette-text-alt-color{color:#6d6e71}.has-background.has-palette-bg-background-color{background-color:#fff}.has-text-color.has-palette-bg-color{color:#fff}.has-background.has-palette-bg-alt-background-color{background-color:#f7f7f7}.has-text-color.has-palette-bg-alt-color{color:#f7f7f7}.has-background.has-palette-interactive-background-color{background-color:#1b75bc}.has-text-color.has-palette-interactive-color{color:#1b75bc}.has-background.has-palette-attention-background-color{background-color:#db1b7c}.has-text-color.has-palette-attention-color{color:#db1b7c}.has-background.has-palette-brand-1-background-color{background-color:#fcb316}.has-text-color.has-palette-brand-1-color{color:#fcb316}.has-background.has-palette-brand-2-background-color{background-color:#7aadd9}.has-text-color.has-palette-brand-2-color{color:#7aadd9}.has-background.has-palette-brand-3-background-color{background-color:#bdd7ec}.has-text-color.has-palette-brand-3-color{color:#bdd7ec}.has-background.has-palette-brand-4-background-color{background-color:#eceaea}.has-text-color.has-palette-brand-4-color{color:#eceaea}.has-background.has-palette-dark-background-color{background-color:#333}.has-text-color.has-palette-dark-color{color:#333}.has-background.has-palette-light-background-color{background-color:#f1f1f1}.has-text-color.has-palette-light-color{color:#f1f1f1}img:is([sizes="auto" i], [sizes^="auto," i]){contain-intrinsic-size:3000px 1500px}.wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-coauthors.is-layout-flow [class*=wp-block-co-authors-plus]{display:inline}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar :where(img){height:auto;max-width:100%;vertical-align:bottom}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-coauthors.is-layout-flow .wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar :where(img){vertical-align:middle}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar:is(.alignleft,.alignright){display:table}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-avatar.aligncenter{display:table;margin-inline:auto}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image{margin-bottom:0}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image :where(img){height:auto;max-width:100%;vertical-align:bottom}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-coauthors.is-layout-flow .wp-block-co-authors-plus-image :where(img){vertical-align:middle}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image:is(.alignfull,.alignwide) :where(img){width:100%}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image:is(.alignleft,.alignright){display:table}.wp-block-co-authors-plus-image.aligncenter{display:table;margin-inline:auto}.safe-svg-cover{text-align:center}.safe-svg-cover .safe-svg-inside{display:inline-block;max-width:100%}.safe-svg-cover svg{fill:currentColor;height:100%;max-height:100%;max-width:100%;width:100%}:root{--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--square:1;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--4-3:4/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-4:3/4;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--3-2:3/2;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--2-3:2/3;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--16-9:16/9;--wp--preset--aspect-ratio--9-16:9/16;--wp--preset--color--black:#000;--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray:#abb8c3;--wp--preset--color--white:#fff;--wp--preset--color--pale-pink:#f78da7;--wp--preset--color--vivid-red:#cf2e2e;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange:#ff6900;--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber:#fcb900;--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan:#7bdcb5;--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan:#00d084;--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue:#8ed1fc;--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue:#0693e3;--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple:#9b51e0;--wp--preset--color--palette-text:#0e3c5f;--wp--preset--color--palette-text-alt:#6d6e71;--wp--preset--color--palette-bg:#fff;--wp--preset--color--palette-bg-alt:#f7f7f7;--wp--preset--color--palette-interactive:#1b75bc;--wp--preset--color--palette-attention:#db1b7c;--wp--preset--color--palette-brand-1:#fcb316;--wp--preset--color--palette-brand-2:#7aadd9;--wp--preset--color--palette-brand-3:#bdd7ec;--wp--preset--color--palette-brand-4:#eceaea;--wp--preset--color--palette-dark:#333;--wp--preset--color--palette-light:#f1f1f1;--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(6,147,227,1) 0%,#9b51e0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan:linear-gradient(135deg,#7adcb4 0%,#00d082 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(252,185,0,1) 0%,rgba(255,105,0,1) 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red:linear-gradient(135deg,rgba(255,105,0,1) 0%,#cf2e2e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray:linear-gradient(135deg,#eee 0%,#a9b8c3 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum:linear-gradient(135deg,#4aeadc 0%,#9778d1 20%,#cf2aba 40%,#ee2c82 60%,#fb6962 80%,#fef84c 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffceec 0%,#9896f0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux:linear-gradient(135deg,#fecda5 0%,#fe2d2d 50%,#6b003e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk:linear-gradient(135deg,#ffcb70 0%,#c751c0 50%,#4158d0 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean:linear-gradient(135deg,#fff5cb 0%,#b6e3d4 50%,#33a7b5 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass:linear-gradient(135deg,#caf880 0%,#71ce7e 100%);--wp--preset--gradient--midnight:linear-gradient(135deg,#020381 0%,#2874fc 100%);--wp--preset--font-size--small:13px;--wp--preset--font-size--medium:20px;--wp--preset--font-size--large:36px;--wp--preset--font-size--x-large:42px;--wp--preset--spacing--20:.44rem;--wp--preset--spacing--30:.67rem;--wp--preset--spacing--40:1rem;--wp--preset--spacing--50:1.5rem;--wp--preset--spacing--60:2.25rem;--wp--preset--spacing--70:3.38rem;--wp--preset--spacing--80:5.06rem;--wp--preset--shadow--natural:6px 6px 9px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--deep:12px 12px 50px rgba(0,0,0,.4);--wp--preset--shadow--sharp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,.2);--wp--preset--shadow--outlined:6px 6px 0px -3px rgba(255,255,255,1),6px 6px rgba(0,0,0,1);--wp--preset--shadow--crisp:6px 6px 0px rgba(0,0,0,1)}:where(.is-layout-flex){gap:.5em}:where(.is-layout-grid){gap:.5em}body .is-layout-flex{display:flex}.is-layout-flex{flex-wrap:wrap;align-items:center}.is-layout-flex > :is(*, div){margin:0}body .is-layout-grid{display:grid}.is-layout-grid > :is(*, div){margin:0}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em}.has-black-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-color{color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-background-color{background-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-black-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--black) !important}.has-cyan-bluish-gray-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-white-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--white) !important}.has-pale-pink-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-pink) !important}.has-vivid-red-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-red) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--luminous-vivid-amber) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--light-green-cyan) !important}.has-vivid-green-cyan-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-pale-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--pale-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-cyan-blue) !important}.has-vivid-purple-border-color{border-color:var(--wp--preset--color--vivid-purple) !important}.has-vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--vivid-cyan-blue-to-vivid-purple) !important}.has-light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--light-green-cyan-to-vivid-green-cyan) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-amber-to-luminous-vivid-orange) !important}.has-luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-vivid-orange-to-vivid-red) !important}.has-very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--very-light-gray-to-cyan-bluish-gray) !important}.has-cool-to-warm-spectrum-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--cool-to-warm-spectrum) !important}.has-blush-light-purple-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-light-purple) !important}.has-blush-bordeaux-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--blush-bordeaux) !important}.has-luminous-dusk-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--luminous-dusk) !important}.has-pale-ocean-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--pale-ocean) !important}.has-electric-grass-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--electric-grass) !important}.has-midnight-gradient-background{background:var(--wp--preset--gradient--midnight) !important}.has-small-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--small) !important}.has-medium-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--medium) !important}.has-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--large) !important}.has-x-large-font-size{font-size:var(--wp--preset--font-size--x-large) !important}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-flex){gap:1.25em}:where(.wp-block-post-template.is-layout-grid){gap:1.25em}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-flex){gap:2em}:where(.wp-block-columns.is-layout-grid){gap:2em}:root :where(.wp-block-pullquote){font-size:1.5em;line-height:1.6}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important}@media screen and (max-height: 1024px){.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+3):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important}}@media screen and (max-height: 640px){.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload),.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *{background-image:none !important}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+2):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important}}.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload).nitro-lazy,.e-con.e-parent:nth-of-type(n+4):not(.e-lazyloaded):not(.e-no-lazyload) *.nitro-lazy{background-image:none !important}section.content video{width:895px;max-width:100%}section.content details{padding:1em;background:lightyellow}section.content details summary{text-decoration:underline}section.content details summary:focus{text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid black;outline-offset:2px}body.test-additional-css{border:2px solid green}.main-blog-header h1{margin:1rem 0}.main-blog-categories{background-color:var(--palette-bg-alt);margin-top:1rem;padding-top:1rem;padding-bottom:1rem}.main-blog-categories .site-columns{align-items:stretch}.main-blog-categories .flex_component--column{border:solid 1px #ccc;background-color:var(--palette-bg);border-radius:3px;margin-bottom:1rem;padding:1rem}.main-blog-categories .flex_component--column,.list-article--inner{position:relative !important}.main-blog-categories h2{margin:1rem 0}.main-blog-categories .flex_component--column .list-article__thumbnail img{object-position:top}a.block-link::after{bottom:0;content:"";left:0;position:absolute;top:0;right:0}.main-blog-categories .flex_component--column-inner{display:flex;flex-direction:column;justify-content:space-between;height:100%}p.photo-credit{text-align:right;font-size:.8em;margin-top:-1em !important}.auto-number{counter-reset:rowNumber}.auto-number td:first-child::before{display:table-cell;counter-increment:rowNumber;content:counter(rowNumber) ".";padding-right:.3em;text-align:right;display:inline-block}@media (max-width:991px){.col-center-mob img{margin:auto}.col-center-mob *{text-align:center}}.page-id-2288 .site-footer{z-index:2;position:relative;margin-top:0rem}[section-id="contact-module"]{overflow:hidden}[section-id="contact-module"] .form_column--right{padding:1rem;padding-top:.5rem}[section-id="contact-module"] .hubspot-form{margin-top:0rem}@media (min-width: 991px){.hero__heading{font-size:3em;line-height:1.1}}.hero__heading{margin-top:0;font-size:2.4em}[section-id="contact-module"] .site-columns{overflow:visible}.site-columns .site-main.full-width{width:100%}

ARC Platform Overview

Automated Monitoring

Program Management

Knowledge Center

Integrations

Platform Success

Solutions Overview

Accessibility Services

Conformance

JAWS Solutions

Solutions by Org Size

Resources

Conformance & Compliance

Top Content

Free Tools

Ryan Jones

A Tale of Two Rooms: Understanding screen reader navigation

Ryan Jones

Posts

A Tale of Two Rooms: Understanding screen reader navigation