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a11y-testing-vms


Test screen reader accessibility with IE on OS X

How to configure a VirtualBox Windows VM for testing accessibility on OS X

Host machine setup

VirtualBox

  1. Download and run the VirtualBox installer.

Windows image

  1. Download the latest version of Windows/IE from https://dev.windows.com/en-us/microsoft-edge/tools/vms/mac/.
  2. Unarchive and open the VM image in VirtualBox.

Virtual machine setup

NVDA

  1. Download and open the NVDA screen reader installer.
  2. Change the default voice:
  • Choose the NVDA item from the Notifications menu in the Windows taskbar and choose Preferences > Synthesizer > Microsoft Speech API
  1. Change the modifier key to capslock (by default it's numpad insert and extended insert):
  • Choose the NVDA item from the Notifications menu in the Windows taskbar and choose Preferences > Keyboard Settings
  • Select "laptop" from the keyboard layout dropdown
  • Check the box "Use CapsLock as an NVDA modifier key"
  1. Review the user guide for instructions on navigation and start visiting content. (hint: capslock + down arrow will get the NVDA cursor focus moving about and announcing web content)

Protips

  • wear headphones when using screen readers.
  • shift key pauses speech in NVDA.
  • Save a snapshot of the VM to revert to when the Windows license expires.

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