Issue with NVDA screenreader and storyline: Focus-problems and alternate text

May 25, 2023

Wolff Metternich
By Wolff Metternich

Hi everybody,

I have two questions related to storyline and screenreader NVDA.

1. Icons for accessing the Help, Lexicon, Menu and Copyright slides are stored on a master slide.
If the course is operated with the key control, the icons are always marked with a yellow frame and you can switch to the target slides with Enter.
However, it is possible to jump to the targets even if the icons on the slide are hidden.
What is the reason for this?
In addition, the corresponding shape/alternate texts stored on the master slide cannot be deleted under "Focus Order".
Is there a solution to this problem?
Or do I have to create a separate master for each icon?

2) Sometimes texts are not read out by the screen reader NVDA, although alternate texts are defined and listed in the focus order.
What is the reason for this?
Is there a way to force NVDA to read out the texts?

 

Thank you for your help and best regards

Wolff

3 Replies
Jose Tansengco
11 months ago05/25/23 at 6:57 pm (UTC)

Hello Wolff,

Thanks for reaching out!

I did a quick test on my end and observed the following: 

  • Objects in their 'Hidden' state should not be detected by screen readers. This is true even for objects that are located the a Slide Master layout.
  • Changing the state of the objects from Normal to Hidden allows the objects to be read by the screen reader again. 
  • Unticking this option in the object's accessibility settings causes the object to not be detected by the screen reader.

Additionally, I haven't come across an issue wherein screen readers did not properly read out texts in a text box. 

With those things being said, would you be willing to share a copy of your project file here or in private by opening a support case so we can take a closer look at the behavior you reported? We'll delete it when we're done testing!

Jose Tansengco
11 months ago05/31/23 at 2:28 pm (UTC)

Hello Wolff, 

Thanks for sharing a copy of your project file. I am seeing completely different behavior when I test your course using both NVDA and JAWS 2021. Here are some of my observations: 

  1. The multiple choice issue appears to only happen when NVDA is used. I am able to select all 7 items when using JAWS 2021.
  2. JAWS 2021 appears to read the icon found in the Slide Master correctly.
  3. The text blocks do not load properly for me in Slide 1.1. We will check if there is another issue present in the slide.

I opened a support case on your behalf so we can get you in touch with our support team. They'll be able to take a closer look at your project file to see why NVDA is not reading your slides as expected. Please be on the lookout for an email from our support team!

Sign In to Reply