You Don’t Have to Be Blind to Use a Screen Reader

Simon MinerAugust 18, 2025

A screen reader is a piece of assistive technology software that turns on-screen text and interface elements into speech or braille output. It works by sending information from the operating system, applications, and web browsers through an accessibility API, which the screen reader interprets and then reads aloud or displays on a refreshable braille device. With keyboard commands or touch gestures, users can navigate headings, links, buttons, forms, and other elements, making it possible to interact with a computer or smartphone without needing to rely on vision.

More than a tool for blind users

When most people hear “screen reader,” they picture someone who is completely blind using it to access a computer or phone. That’s true for many—but far from all—users. The most recent WebAIM Screen Reader User Survey found that 23.4% of screen reader users are not blind.

Some have low vision, some have dyslexia or other reading differences, and some simply prefer the flexibility of audio. Others are developers, designers, content creators, or testers who use screen readers as part of their work.

I’m one of them. I have low vision and am legally blind, but I still read with magnification and zoom. Even so, I often use screen readers and text-to-speech because they’re faster, easier on my eyes, and more comfortable for long stretches. For me—and for many others—screen readers aren’t about replacing sight, but about expanding options.

Listening as speed reading

On my Apple devices, I’ve set up easy-to-use shortcuts to activate the built-in VoiceOver screen reader and set its speaking rate to 85% of its maximum speech rate. For context, typical human conversation is around 150 words per minute. At 85% of VoiceOver’s top speed, I’m hearing words roughly three to four times faster than that.

It didn’t start this way. I began at a comfortable pace, then gradually increased the speed over time. My brain learned to process synthetic speech the same way you might adapt to a fast talker. Now, that pace feels normal, and I can move through emails, articles, and reports in a fraction of the time.

Speed aside, the other benefit is comfort. If my eyes are tired from hours of visual work, I can switch to listening mode and keep going without strain or headaches. It’s a tool I can pick up whenever it fits the task.

Who else benefits from screen readers

Plenty of people beyond the blind community use screen readers or similar tools:

• People with low vision: Alternating between magnification and audio can prevent fatigue and headaches.
• Individuals with dyslexia or other learning differences: Listening can make text easier to process and understand. (More from dyslexia.com.)
• Multitaskers: Screen readers let you consume text while cooking, walking, cleaning, or commuting.
• Anyone with eye strain or migraines: Audio provides a break from bright screens and fine print.
• Auditory and language learners:Hearing words reinforces learning and improves pronunciation.
• Accessibility professionals:Designers, developers, and content creators use them to test how accessible their work is.

For many, it’s simply about using the right mode of reading for the right moment.

Common concerns—and practical solutions

Here are some concerns and questions that often come up for sighted folks when they first consider trying out a screen reader.

“The controls look complicated.” They can be at first, but you don’t have to learn everything. Start with turning it on/off, making it start and stop reading, and moving forward/back. Build from there.

“What if my device starts reading aloud in public?” Use headphones. Learn the quick mute command (often just pressing Ctrl or a two-finger tap on mobile).

“The voice is too fast.” Adjust the speed to a comfortable pace. You can always increase it later as you get used to it.

“I’m not blind—is it okay to use this?”Absolutely! Accessibility features are built for anyone who can benefit from them.

Getting started with a screen reader

Almost every modern flavor of smartphone, tablet, or computer today comes with a screen reader already pre-installed. So chances are it’s just a matter of turning it on trying it out. Here are some basic commands for the built-in screen readers for the most common devices and operating systems.

Windows: Narrator

Pre-installed on all PCs running Windows 10 or 11.

• Turn on/off: Press Ctrl + Windows + Enter.
• Read everything on the page: Caps Lock + M.
• Stop reading: Press Ctrl.

Microsoft’s complete Narrator user guideincludes detailed instructions and all commands.

Many Windows users also love NVDA, a more full-featured screen reader that’s free to download and easy to install.

macOS: VoiceOver

• Turn on/off: Press Command + F5.
• Move forward: Control + Option + Right Arrow.
• Read from the top: Control + Option + A.

See Apple’s VoiceOver guide for Mac for much more.

iPhone/iPad: VoiceOver

• Turn on/off: Triple-click the side or Home button.
• Read the screen: Swipe down with two fingers.

Apple’s iOS VoiceOver guide explains all gestures.

Android: TalkBack

• Turn on/off: Hold both volume keys for a few seconds (if enabled).
• Read from the top: Swipe down then right, then select “Read from top.”

See Google’s TalkBack tutorial for many more details.

Chrome OS: ChromeVox

This screen reader comes pre-installed on Chromebooks.

• Turn on/off: Press Ctrl + Alt + Z.
• Start reading from the top: PressSearch + Ctrl + Right Arrow.
• Stop reading: Press Ctrl.
• Move to the next item: Press Search + Right Arrow.
• Move to the previous item: PressSearch + Left Arrow.

Google provides a ChromeVox tutorial with more commands and training resources.

A gentle first step: Site Unseen

If you’d like to experience what navigating by structure feels like—but without fully switching to a screen reader—try Site Unseen.

Site Unseen is a Chrome extension that approximates a screen reader byobscuring the visible content of the page and showing details of the currently focused element in a small box at the bottom right of the screen. You navigate with screen reader-like commands—jumping through headings, links, form fields, and more—and can use its “Peek” feature for a brief three-second view of where you are on the page. I wrote a post that offers a deep dive into the what, why, and how of Site Unseen.

It’s not a substitute for a real screen reader, but it’s a great training ground for learning keyboard navigation and understanding how structural elements on a webpage matter.

Everyday scenarios where screen readers help

Here are a several examples of how screen readers can be put to everyday use, whether for accessibility, productivity, or both:

• Making dinner: Have an article read to you while cooking.
• Commuting: Let VoiceOver or TalkBack read the news or email while on a bus or train.
• Tidying up: Listen to a report while folding laundry or cleaning the kitchen.
• Walking or exercising: Catch up on long blog posts while staying in shape without having to stare at your phone.
• Research days: Use a screen reader to skim and navigate long documents quickly.
• Language practice: Hear correct pronunciations in context and follow along visually if you like.
• Rest days for your eyes: Give your eyes a break from magnification or bright screens.
• Testing your own work: If you design or publish online content, a quick screen reader check can reveal accessibility issues you’d miss visually.
• Reading when vision is limited by environment: In low light or glare, listening can be far easier than reading.

Give it a try

You might discover that listening is sometimes more efficient than reading—especially for repetitive or text-heavy work. It’s also an eye-saver. Even if you have perfect vision, switching to audio for part of the day can prevent fatigue.

Learning a screen reader also builds empathy. Navigating your own site or a favorite app without sight gives you a clear sense of what works and what’s frustrating for users with disabilities. For developers and content creators, that insight can directly improve the quality and accessibility of your work.

And there’s a personal bonus: once you’ve built some fluency, you gain flexibility. You can choose to read visually, listen hands-free, or mix the two depending on your needs. For me, that means I can keep working or reading comfortably whether my eyes are fresh or tired.

It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing commitment. You can start small—have one article read aloud on your commute, or use Narrator for a quick email scan—and see how it fits. Over time, you may find it becomes an everyday tool, not just an “accessibility feature.”

Acknowledgement

Original sourceThank you to James Warnken for inspiring this post through his interview on the Equal Entry blog, and for sharing his own experiences that challenge assumptions about who uses screen readers.