Assistive technology
Run a First NVDA Website Review
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
Purpose and preparation
Use NVDA on Windows to inspect the structure and basic interaction of a representative page. Record the NVDA, browser and Windows versions, the starting URL and the page state before testing. This is a focused screen-reader pass to complement visual and keyboard checks.
A practical example
On a service page, find eligibility information by heading, inspect the available links, then open the application form without using the mouse.
How to check it
- Start NVDA, load the page, and read its title and opening content. Note unexpected announcements or repeated navigation before the main content.
- Use NVDA's heading, landmark and link navigation to locate the service instructions. Compare the announced structure with the intended content hierarchy.
- Tab through controls, activate a link, and record whether the next page is identifiable. Save the exact announcement and reproduction steps for each barrier.
What can be missed
A successful read-through does not test every state or establish accessibility for other screen readers. Browse mode and focus mode serve different tasks; record a mode change when it affects the result.
Record your test
Use this worksheet to record what you actually checked. Notes stay on this device when you choose Save; they are not sent to us. Avoid personal or confidential information on shared devices.
These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.