Forum Discussion

GiovanniFinotto's avatar
GiovanniFinotto
Community Member
6 hours ago

Screen reader and alt txt

Hi everyone,

In your opinion, is it possible to automatically pause a video if the screen reader is reading the description of some images on the same slide where the video is? I have a slide with video and images. If I use "alt text" to scan the image if the screen reader is used, the video audio and screen reader audio overlap. I opted to eliminate the alternative text, which in my case was not exactly fundamental, but I was wondering if what I was asking at the beginning of this question is possible. Thanks everyone.

storyline 360

1 Reply

  • ThierryEMMANUEL's avatar
    ThierryEMMANUEL
    Community Member
    4 hours ago

    Hello GiovanniFinotto​ 

    So, as far as I know, SL does not detect whether a screen reader is being used, or even whether keyboard navigation (using the Tab keys) is being used. But the Articulate staff will be better placed to answer that question. 
    BUT, according to one of the essential principles for making a module fully accessible, the learner must be able to control the controls of an audible media (audio/video) in all cases: it is not only visually impaired people who use a screen reader! Therefore, your media should not start automatically at the beginning of the timeline, but rather through an action by the learner. You can set this in Video Tools/Options/Play video: on trigger. The button that triggers media playback will have clear and precise alt text explaining its function and what happens when clicked. And it will be placed (in my opinion) in second position in the focus order. First the description of the image/context, then the media playback button.

    *** Of course, this can be very annoying for learners who do not use a screen reader (having to click each time to play media that would be more engaging if it started automatically). In my most recent project, I asked learners on the first screen if they use a screen reader. If so, a T/F variable is set to TRUE and each media item on each screen is stopped at the beginning of the timeline because the variable is TRUE. The learner must click the “Play” button. If the variable remains FALSE, the media items play automatically. Would this solve your problem? Let us know. Perhaps someone else has a better solution.