Screen Readers and How They Read Your Page
A screen reader is software that converts on-screen content into speech or braille, letting blind and low-vision users navigate the web. Popular examples include JAWS, NVDA and VoiceOver. Understanding how they work explains many accessibility rules.
Crucially, a screen reader does not see your design — it reads the underlying code. So clean, meaningful markup is what makes a page understandable to its users.
How Users Move Through a Page
Screen-reader users rarely read top to bottom. They jump around using shortcuts — by heading, by link, by landmark — to find what they need quickly.
- Pulling up a list of headings to scan page structure.
- Jumping between links or form fields.
- Using landmarks to skip to the main content.
Why Markup Matters So Much
Because the reader announces the page based on its code, a button coded as a plain image, or a heading that is just big text, simply will not be recognised. Using the correct HTML elements gives screen readers the meaning they need.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.