Which screen reader, which WCAG level, and is automated testing enough?
Short answers, with the working shown on each page. Test with NVDA on Windows and VoiceOver on macOS and iOS, because between them they cover most of the assistive technology your users actually run. Target WCAG 2.2 Level AA, which is what Australian government policy and the Disability Discrimination Act expectations are built around. And no, automated testing alone is not enough: it reliably finds under half of WCAG failures, so serious audits pair it with manual and assistive technology testing.
3 comparisons
Accessibility comparisons
Three decisions come up in almost every accessibility conversation: which screen reader to test with, which WCAG conformance level to target, and how much of the work automated tools can actually do. Each comparison sets out the evidence side by side and ends with a recommendation by role and sector.
JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver and TalkBack compared
The four major screen readers compared on cost, platform, market share and learning curve, with a role by role selection guide for design, development, audit and everyday use.
Compare screen readers →GuideWCAG Level A, AA and AAA compared
What each conformance level covers, criteria counts, Australian legal context (DDA, AHRC, Digital Service Standard) and which level to target by sector.
Compare WCAG levels →GuideManual and automated accessibility testing compared
Coverage percentages, cost, speed and where each approach wins, plus the hybrid testing pattern used in every serious accessibility audit.
Compare testing approaches →