Proofreading for screen readers and mobile devices is not only a matter of accessibility, but also of quality and professionalism. You want your content to be clear and engaging for all readers, regardless of how they access it. Here are some tips to help you proofread for different devices and formats.
Screen readers are software applications that convert text into speech or Braille for people with visual impairments. They rely on the structure and clarity of your content to convey your message effectively. To proofread for screen readers, ensure your language is plain and avoids jargon, slang, and idioms. Use headings and lists to organize your content and make it easy to navigate. Avoid using images or fonts as the only way to convey meaning or emphasis.
Always look for an appropriate opportunity to paraphrase information with formatting. Lists can help consolidate information in a more effective way, and headers help sustain focus as they guide readers through the main ideas of the text. However you choose to format your information, make sure to stay consistent with the format throughout (all lists should look the same; all headers should be grammatically similar).
People tend to skim content they "read" online, so I try to keep paragraphs short and sweet and within a range of one to three sentences long. Avoid long blocks of text. It also helps to break up your article visually by using bullet points, headlines and sub-headlines, and callouts consisting of one bolded sentence that emphasizes a point or a quote. I always try to envision myself as the reader to ensure my content is readable and includes the right balance of visual interest to carry their attention right to the end.
I have learned that clear writing is vital when crafting content for online sharing. While we writers might sometimes be tempted to showcase an extensive vocabulary, it's crucial to remember that clear, concise language resonates better with readers. News articles, especially, demand simplicity and ease of understanding. Strive for clarity stop ensure everyone can comprehend and engage with our message effectively. Remember, it's not about impressing with complexity but finding a way to empower readers with crystal-clear information.
Links and alt text are essential elements for screen readers. Links provide navigation and context for your content, while alt text provides descriptions for images and other non-text elements. To proofread these elements, make sure they are relevant, descriptive, and functional. Avoid using vague phrases like "click here" or "read more" for links, and use keywords that match the destination. For alt text, use concise descriptions that convey the content of the image. And avoid using phrases like "image of" that are redundant for screen readers.
By double-checking the links and making sure they work, you’ll prevent your reader from becoming frustrated; it’ll make the overall work come across professionally, as well.
Mobile devices have different screen sizes, resolutions, and orientations than desktop computers. So your content should be adaptable to different devices and browsers. To do this, test your content on various devices and check how it looks and functions. Look for issues like text wrapping, alignment, contrast, and readability. Use tools like emulators, simulators, or web-based testers to preview your content on different devices.
This is particularly important when incorporating graphics created on third-party applications via embed functionality. Graphic layouts can vary widely depending on desktop and mobile views. Ensure the app has the capability to toggle between the two formats to eliminate run-off text, misaligned images, and unresponsive animations. Additionally, double check the readability of your mobile formats. Smaller text sizes may work on desktop views, but smaller elements like captions, infographic copy, and more may appear too small on mobile. If it's not possible to customize the size for your mobile formats, check to see if your third-party applications at least have pinch and zoom functionality for graphics at the very least.
Tables and charts are useful for presenting data in a visual way, but they can be challenging for screen readers and mobile devices. Screen readers read tables column by column, which can be confusing or tedious for the listener. Mobile devices may have difficulty displaying large or complex tables, or require zooming to view them. So it is important to simplify them as much as possible and use clear and consistent labels, headings, and summaries. Use formats that are easy to follow. Avoid using merged cells, nested tables, or images for tables and charts.
Proofreading for screen readers and mobile devices is not something you can do alone. You must use tools and feedback to check and improve your content. Many tools are available online to help you evaluate your content for accessibility and usability, such as screen reader simulators, checkers, and guides. Also use feedback from real users, such as people with disabilities, mobile device users, or proofreading professionals, to identify and fix any issues in your content.