Assistive Tech 101: Screen Readers, Switches, Magnifiers
The tools that turn your markup into a usable experience.
Assistive Tech 101: Screen Readers, Switches, Magnifiers is a free Web Accessibility Academy lesson on CoddyKit — lesson 3 of 4. You can read the complete lesson below for free — then practise it hands-on in the browser with a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor. It is part of the Web Accessibility Academy learning path, one of 4 lessons in the course, and your progress syncs across the web and the CoddyKit app.
Tools That Bridge the Gap
Assistive technology is software and hardware that turns your markup into something a person can actually use. Let us meet the main ones. 🛠️
What a Screen Reader Does
A screen reader speaks the page aloud or sends it to a braille display. It reads your text, links, and headings in order.
Common Screen Readers
You will hear about NVDA and JAWS on Windows, VoiceOver on Apple devices, and TalkBack on Android. Each ships with the platform or is free.
It Reads Your HTML
A screen reader announces meaning from your HTML. A real heading is announced as a heading, which is why correct tags matter so much.
<h1>Welcome</h1>
<button>Buy now</button>Magnifiers Enlarge the Screen
A screen magnifier blows up part of the display for low-vision users. They see a zoomed slice and pan around it.
Magnifiers Follow Focus
Magnifiers track the keyboard focus and caret. If focus jumps somewhere unexpected, the user can be left staring at the wrong spot.
Switch Access
A switch is a single large button for users with limited movement. The system scans options, and one click selects the highlighted one.
Switches Need Order
Switch users move through controls one step at a time, so a sensible tab order keeps the scan short and predictable.
Voice Control
With voice control, users say commands like click submit. It works best when buttons have clear, visible names that match speech.
They All Read Your Code
Here is the unifying idea: every tool relies on your markup. Clean, meaningful HTML is what makes assistive tech work.
You Are the Source
Assistive tech cannot guess intent. When you label a button or pick a real element, you hand these tools the meaning they need.
Quick Check
Pick the right tool for the job.
Recap: Markup Powers the Tools
Screen readers speak, magnifiers enlarge, and switches scan, but they all depend on your markup. Write it well and the tools shine. 🚀
Frequently asked questions
Is the “Assistive Tech 101: Screen Readers, Switches, Magnifiers” lesson free?
Yes — the full text of “Assistive Tech 101: Screen Readers, Switches, Magnifiers” is free to read here on the web, and the Web Accessibility Academy course includes 4 lessons in total. To practise it interactively (a built-in code editor and a 24/7 AI tutor) and unlock the rest of the Web Accessibility Academy course, upgrade to CoddyKit PRO.
What will I learn in “Assistive Tech 101: Screen Readers, Switches, Magnifiers”?
The tools that turn your markup into a usable experience. You practise Web Accessibility Academy with hands-on code you run directly in the browser, and a 24/7 AI tutor answers your questions as you work through the lesson.
Do I need any experience to start Web Accessibility Academy?
No prior experience is required. Web Accessibility Academy on CoddyKit is structured for beginners through advanced learners; this is — lesson 3 of 4, so you can start here or from the beginning and move at your own pace.
How long does the “Assistive Tech 101: Screen Readers, Switches, Magnifiers” lesson take?
Most CoddyKit lessons take about 5–10 minutes. Each one is bite-sized and interactive, so you make steady progress and pick up exactly where you left off across the web and the app.
Can I write and run code in this Web Accessibility Academy lesson?
Yes. Every Web Accessibility Academy lesson includes a built-in code editor, so you write and run real code right in your browser and get instant AI feedback — no local setup required.
All lessons in this course
- What Disability Really Looks Like on the Web
- Meet the Users: Blind, Low-Vision, Deaf, Motor, Cognitive
- Assistive Tech 101: Screen Readers, Switches, Magnifiers
- The Curb-Cut Effect: Why Accessible Helps Everyone