With the sound of rain lightly drumming on my windows, I woke up on that partly gloomy day. “Alexa, what’s the time?” I mumbled sleepily. She doesn’t just say the time, but also adds the weather update for the day in her response. I don’t really appreciate going back to my phone as soon as I wake up, that too for a simple thing such as checking the time. So here is my Alexa, acting as an accessible clock that can also tell me if I need an umbrella today.That’s the beauty of modern-day tech. It is accessible in ways even the creators cannot anticipate.
But eventually, I will have to go to my phone, as it has become my most reliable confidant over the last ten years. It, along with the powerful combination of screen reader, has opened up the world in ways no other tech could for blind and visually impaired people like me. If it is the smartphones that took the baton forward, it was computers and the origin of screen readers that actually started the liberation movement.
If you have a visually impaired friend or colleague, you once in a while keep hearing this term called ‘screen reader’—and definitely hear a voice rapping its way in the most bizarre language whenever you happen to sit next to them. Although your friends were kind enough to explain to you what a screen reader is and how it functions, I can understand if it is still an unknown particle as to what it does, how it does what it does to most of you.
So let me take you through a day in my life—a day filled (gratefully) with screen readers. Hopefully, by the end, you’ll feel a little more familiar with what they are, bust a few myths along the way, and walk out with a sprinkle of action-oriented awareness.
So buckle up, and let’s roll!
Screen Readers in a Nutshell
Before we go back to that rainy day, let me quickly give you a bird sight view about the world of screen readers.
First things first—what is a screen reader?
A screen reader is a type of assistive technology that converts digital text into speech or braille, enabling blind and visually impaired individuals to interact with computers and smartphones. Think of it as a narrator for everything that happens on your screen—from reading out your emails and WhatsApp messages to navigating apps, web pages, and spreadsheets with a surprising level of efficiency.
The concept of screen readers dates back to the 1980s, when software pioneers began experimenting with ways to make computers talk. The earliest versions were basic, clunky, and slow. But they were revolutionary. They turned what was once a wall of silence into a space of possibility.
Over the years, the screen reader ecosystem has grown significantly. Today, several mainstream screen readers are in active use, across various operating systems:
JAWS (Job Access With Speech) by Freedom Scientific: Probably the costliest and the most powerful one in the lot, with new features and AI capabilities added with every update. This is the one you’ll most likely find in professional setups—banks, corporate offices, schools, and government institutions. Sadly, it’s also the reason companies sometimes shy away from hiring blind professionals—the licensing cost becomes their excuse to not be inclusive.
NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) by NV Access: The free, open-source alternative to JAWS. Built by the community, for the community. It’s lightweight, efficient, and for many—including me—a personal favorite. While professional setups often overlook it simply because it’s open-source, don’t let that fool you. It’s a powerhouse in its own right. Most of the functionality is similar to JAWS, though JAWS does offer more advanced features and AI integrations.
VoiceOver by Apple: Built into all Apple devices, including iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, and Watches. On the MacBook, though, it comes with the steepest learning curve of all. It takes time, patience, and probably a couple of existential crises to get used to. But once you’re in, you get robust, system-wide control that’s buttery smooth—thanks to the fact that it’s developed by Apple themselves. (
TalkBack by Google: Arguably the most revolutionary development for blind smartphone users in the last 15 years. Born from Google’s Eyes-Free project, TalkBack started appearing on Android smartphones around 2009 and came into its own with Android Gingerbread in 2013. It’s been my trusty sidekick ever since. And yes, I still use TalkBack—because I’m not yet ready to sell a kidney for an iPhone.
Narrator by Microsoft: Windows’ built-in screen reader. For years, it lagged behind, but recent updates—especially with Windows 11—are showing real promise. It’s no JAWS or NVDA yet, but it’s on the right path.
Each of these tools translates the visual interface into spoken words or braille. Navigation happens through keyboard commands, touch gestures, or screen taps, depending on the device.
In simple terms: a screen reader sees the screen for those of us who can’t. And it does so relentlessly, without ever asking for a coffee break.
Understanding screen readers isn’t just about knowing what they do. It’s about appreciating how they power the lives of millions—whether it’s a student attending virtual classes, a professional building a career, or someone simply texting a friend. However, there is a big asterisk here. Screen reader at the end of the day is a software. a tool which only works when products such as apps, websites, operating systems use this tool to open the doors to users like me. But do they always do that? And that, dear reader, is where our story truly begins.
Back to My Rainy Day
Now that you understand what a screen reader is, let’s go back to that rainy day. My goal isn’t just to show you how this technology empowers a “normal” life, but to share real examples of how digital inaccessibility throws a wrench in the works, hindering that very empowerment.
When Choice Goes Out the Window
It’s time for breakfast, and the verdict is in: toast and eggs. Time to order them online. There’s a Zepto dark store (a popular instant grocery delivery app) right next to my house, which means I could have the groceries delivered in under five minutes. But there’s a catch. The Zepto app is simply inaccessible with my screen reader. Nothing gets read out; for me, it’s just a silent, unusable wall. So, even if I don’t feel like it, I have to use other grocery apps just to get my toast and eggs on the table.
Take another instance: Ola (one of India’s leading ride-hailing apps). It’s semi-accessible. I can use it to book a ride, but on the ride screen, it doesn’t announce the ETA, leaving me to ask a sighted person if I really need to know when my cab will arrive. It’s not just that; the overall experience feels clunky and half-baked with my screen reader.
Because I’m part of a minority user base, I often don’t have as many choices. Whether it’s news, banking, or entertainment, my options are almost always more limited than a sighted user’s, simply because so many apps are not built to be screen reader compatible.
Acing It with What We Have
Mind you, these accessibility challenges have never stopped the visually impaired community from embracing the digital world. With the help of screen readers, we are thriving everywhere—from using Zoom for meetings to ordering from Zomato, and from coding complex software to crafting marketing strategies.
On a typical workday, I juggle a whole range of digital tools. It starts with the Google Workspace suite—Docs, Sheets, and Slides—and their Microsoft counterparts, Word and Excel. For communication, it’s Zoom and Slack; for notes, it’s Google Keep. And for a bit of brain-rotting entertainment, I spoil myself with Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.
As a branding and marketing professional, my job demands that I use apps like Trello for project tracking, various audio editing software for content creation, and a suite of AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Suno. And of course, there’s WhatsApp, for that sweet, sweet reduction in my peace of mind.
The reason I’m bombarding you with this galore of app names is to paint a clear picture. We don’t lead a sad, dark, Stone Age life anymore. Thanks to screen readers, the world is open to us. The playing field is more level today than it has been at any point in history.
Yes, challenges—mainly the accessibility ones—are still there. They exist because many developers, designers, and large organizations don’t think of us, the screen reader users, while building their products. But over the years, the visually impaired community has found solutions, fought long battles, raised awareness, and supported each other to keep claiming their rightful place in the digital world.
What Should You Do with This Information?
When a visually impaired friend mentioned that 99% of interviewers are unaware of screen readers, I wasn’t surprised. What’s more baffling is their shock when they learn we use phones and computers. After reading this far, I hope you won’t be part of that 99%.
“My appeal to you is simple. If you’re a hirer, know that we are as digitally capable as anyone. Don’t let your assumptions stop you from hiring us.” If you are keen about improving accessibility, employ one of us, we will introduce you to the world of accessibility and assist you in making your products and services more inclusive.If you’re a developer, remember us when you build; accessibility doesn’t require moving mountains. And if you’re committed to be an ally for people with vision disabilities, ask one question as you navigate the digital world: “Is this accessible?” Trust me, there is a solution for every “no”.
Lastly, share this piece as widely as possible. Together, we can increase that percentage of aware allies, every single day.