I admit two things at the beginning of this post. First, I have done limited research on Microsoft Narrator, though I believe I have given it a fair look. Second, some of what I am about to say may be related to my age - I just passed a milestone birthday.



I am concerned about Microsoft working hard to make Narrator competitive. I think competition is a great idea and will benefit all of us in the future. And a built-in screen reader is a fantastic idea!



However, the operation of Narrator seems to be vastly different from the operation of other Windows screen readers out on the market. While this is fine for individuals just learning how to work with a screen reader, I get concerned for those of us who have been using such technology for ten fifteen, twenty or more years.



First, how many programs will we be excluded from if we don't transition to Narrator? For example, I hear that Narrator works fine with Edge right now, but a user of JAWS or NVDA will have difficulty. Is this the trend of the future? Will we be excluded if we don't learn Microsoft's proprietary screen reader?



Second, is Microsoft working on any type of training or documentation that will assist those of us who have certain ways of using the computer integrated into our brains in learning the smooth operation of Narrator? Now before anyone calls me a Luddite, please know that I have continually accepted new technologies for the last twenty years and don't plan to stop doing so - yes, I will learn Narrator. . But not all screen reader users wish to learn new methods of operating a computer and navigating the screen. Will these folks just be left behind like yesterday's dust?



I welcome any and all discussion on this topic. If my concerns are invalid, please let me know. But I think what I am saying expresses the concerns of many users of screen readers.



Thanks for reading this and for the opportunity of expressing concerns like this. Have a great day!





Keith Bundy

Digital Accessibility Consultant and Trainer



Siteimprove, Inc.

7807 Creekridge Circle

Minneapolis, MN 55439

Tel: 612-259-6350

Email: [log in to unmask] 





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