Audio narration in websites and documents is an important part of universal design for the web. This article will outline what audio narration is and how it helps a variety of people read websites and documents.
Audio Narration in Websites and Documents
One principle of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) requires web content to be perceivable. In other words, people with a variety of disabilities should be able to access the content of a webpage that is presented visually or audibly. Like many other WCAG guidelines, this principle also applies to documents.
People with disabilities have many forms of software to read websites or documents. For instance, people who are blind or have cognitive disabilities use screen readers. A screen reader reads aloud all text on a computer screen, in almost any program, including:
- Files
- Emails
- Web browsers
Alternatively, people who are visually impaired may use screen magnification software to enlarge the text on their screens. This software often includes speech output. In other words, screen magnification software both reads aloud and enlarges the text. In contrast, people with other disabilities, such as learning disabilities, may use text-to-speech software. This software reads files aloud, and highlights the text as it reads, so that people can follow along both audibly and visually.
In short, people with a variety of disabilities find audio a vital way to access written content.
Moreover, people without disabilities also find audio useful, through audio narration rather than specialized software. Like audio books, audible ways to read websites began for people with disabilities, but people without disabilities now use them as well. This form of outreach from people with disabilities to non-disabled people is known as the curb cut effect.
Audio Narration
Audio narration is the option to hear the contents of a website or document, instead of reading it. This option is different from the use of disability-specific computer software, which people with disabilities access on specific computers or devices. The creators of a website or document provide the audio narration for that website or document. For example, many online courses include audio narration of course content. While some narration uses human voices, other narration uses synthetic speech.
The narration is available for any visitor on a website, whether or not they have a disability. Visitors with and without disabilities may appreciate listening as a change from reading, especially on large websites or for a long time. Alternatively, people with many disabilities may enjoy audio narration, including people who do not need specialized screen-reading software for short tasks like emails, but who experience eye strain if they read longer files or websites. Similarly, someone may be able to read files with their text-to-speech software, but cannot use it for websites. Likewise, someone with a screen reader may use it to navigate a website, but enjoy the different voice of the audio narration to read the content.
Turning Audio Narration On and Off
In short, people choose to listen to audio narration for various reasons. On the other hand, some people prefer not to use audio narration. For instance, some people prefer to listen with their screen reader or screen magnification software. Alternatively, some people prefer to read the text with their eyes or with a Braille display. Therefore, web content creators should provide an option for visitors to turn the audio narration on and off. Furthermore, audio narration should not turn on automatically. When narration starts automatically, people cannot hear their screen readers well or easily turn the audio narration off. In contrast, when audio narration is turned off by default, people can choose to play the narration if they wish.