Forum Discussion
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.
I agree with you GiovanniFinotto . And that's not what I was describing.
I take a different approach. Considering that visually impaired learners will never “see” the images, whether synchronized or not, and considering that learners using screen readers “to give themselves time” to see (the images), hear (the audio), and understand (the interaction between images and audio), I will only describe the FIRST image-context in the alt text, which will also describe the following image(s) and how/why they appear.
Or, using another technique I use in my last project I mentioned , I provide a transcript of the audio, interspersed with descriptions of the images that appear in sync with the audio, in the “Comment” panel (or whatever name you want to give it), which opens on the left side of the screen (instead of the default Menu panel). Is that clear enough?
In short, give the learner a general but meaningful overview of the whole, not every detail. I don't have THE solution, this is just my suggestion. Thierry
8 Replies
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.
Hi ThierryEmmanuel,
thank you very much, the answer is truly complete and interesting. I really like the second tip, which is really useful.
My doubt remains about the use of images synchronized with the video which, to be "described", would lead the user to block the video many times and make the lesson much longer than expected.
I greatly reduce the use of alternative text for this reason too.I agree with you GiovanniFinotto . And that's not what I was describing.
I take a different approach. Considering that visually impaired learners will never “see” the images, whether synchronized or not, and considering that learners using screen readers “to give themselves time” to see (the images), hear (the audio), and understand (the interaction between images and audio), I will only describe the FIRST image-context in the alt text, which will also describe the following image(s) and how/why they appear.
Or, using another technique I use in my last project I mentioned , I provide a transcript of the audio, interspersed with descriptions of the images that appear in sync with the audio, in the “Comment” panel (or whatever name you want to give it), which opens on the left side of the screen (instead of the default Menu panel). Is that clear enough?
In short, give the learner a general but meaningful overview of the whole, not every detail. I don't have THE solution, this is just my suggestion. Thierry