Audio Description for menus/navigation

Hello @dancingbear1965

Can you confirm, do you want the test of the menu items to be read out when a user hovers over them with a mouse, or do you want to make sure that the menus are accessible, and that screen readers can access their content correctly?

I would like the menu items to be read out. I don’t rally want to rely on screen readers.
Thanks

Aha, I see, gotcha.

I’m not personally aware of any plugins that do this, but a quick search of the plugins repository indicates there are some options you can try.

https://www.ads-software.com/plugins/search/text+to+speech/

Thanks. I couldn’t think of the right combination of words for a search. Brain-block ??
Any way I’ll have a look through and see if anything works.
Thanks again.

No problem, some times another pair of brains is helpful ??

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Creating an accessible website with audio descriptions for menu functions and links is a great initiative. To achieve this, you can use various tools and plugins in WordPress. Here are some options to consider:

1. Accessibe (Paid):
Accessibe is a robust accessibility solution that can help you make your website accessible. It provides features such as screen reader adjustments, keyboard navigation, and voice commands. While it may be a bit more comprehensive than what you need, it can be an excellent choice for creating an inclusive website.

2. WP Accessibility (Free):
WP Accessibility is a free plugin that aims to fix common accessibility issues in your WordPress site. It doesn’t provide audio descriptions when you hover over elements, but it can help you make your site more accessible in various ways, including improving keyboard navigation.

3. **Manual Implementation** (Free, Requires Coding):
If you prefer a custom solution, you can manually implement audio descriptions for menu functions and links. You can use JavaScript to trigger audio when a user hovers over a menu item. Here’s a simplified example to get you started:

`javascript
jQuery(document).ready(function($) {
$(‘.menu-item’).on(‘mouseenter’, function() {
var menuItemText = $(this).text();
var audioDescription = new Audio(‘/path-to-audio-description.mp3’);
audioDescription.play();
});
});
`

You would need to replace '.menu-item' with the actual CSS selector for your menu items and set the correct path to your audio description file.

4. Assistive Technologies (Free):
Keep in mind that many modern web browsers have built-in screen reader functionalities. You can rely on these, as they often automatically announce the text of links and menu items. However, it’s still a good practice to make your site as accessible as possible for different users and assistive technologies.

Before implementing any solution, it’s crucial to consider your target audience and consult with users who might benefit from these features to ensure that the implementation meets their needs. Additionally, make sure that any audio descriptions are concise and not overly distracting for users who do not require them.