How to respond to a request for a Screen Reader compatible version of a survey

What are Screen Readers?

Screen readers are an assistive technology that converts text and image content into speech.  This technology is used by people who are blind or visually impaired as well as those who have a learning disability.

Creating a compatible version

Some types of questions are inaccessible with screen readers and wherever possible a more accessible alternative should be used.  If they have been used in a survey and a screen reader compatible version has been requested, then there are some steps that can be taken to convert an existing survey.

1.     Create a copy of the survey in Smart Survey marking it as an alternative version.

2.     Adapt relevant questions types as outlined below.

3.     Share new accessible version link with respondent and where possible add this to the Consultation Hub as a screen reader version in the supporting documents section.

4.     When the survey closes, add the results of the two surveys together.  This can be done by manual entry.

Adaptations

Icons and Images

In line with corporate consultation guidelines images and icons should have alternative descriptive text included.  This allows the screen reader to read aloud the description when there is an icon or image.

You can add alternative text by right clicking on the image, selecting 'edit alt text', and adding a description of what the image contains. For example, if it is a graph or chart you should include a description of the information being presented.

Ranking and Slider

Ranking and Slider questions are not accessible with screen readers.  It is recommended to avoid using these question types.  If they have been used and an alternative version is required then they can be changed to a multiple choice question by selecting the edit question button.

Example of slider question:

Matrix of choices

This applies to both one answer and multiple answer checkboxes.

Where possible, matrix questions should be divided into single multiple choice questions, either one or multiple answers.

1.     Create new multiple choice questions for each row of the matrix question.

2.     Make sure that the new questions are in the same order as the matrix rows for consistency for respondents and help with manual data entry.

3.     Delete the original matrix question. 

Example of Matrix question: