Silktide - website accessibility simulator

A browser plugin that helps you develop accessible websites by simulating a range of experiences.
What is Silktide - website accessibility simulator?
Silktide - Website Accessibility Simulator is a valuable tool for web developers. This Chrome extension simulates a range of physical abilities to help create websites that are accessible and inclusive. Simulations include conditions like color blindness, dyslexia, myopia, and even blindness, leveraging a simulated screen reader. Developed by Silktide's accessibility experts, this plugin is a practical aid in meeting WCAG 2.1 guidelines.

Extension stats

By: Silktide
Users: 10,000+
Rating: 3.94 (16)
Version: 1.2.4 (Last updated: 2024-06-19)
Creation date: 2020-03-24
Risk impact: Low risk impact
Risk likelihood: Very low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 3
Permissions:
  • activeTab
  • scripting
  • webNavigation
Size: 687.10K

Ranking

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Extension summary

Experience the web with a range of simulated disabilities including:

  • Color blindness
  • Dyslexia
  • Myopia / Blurred vision
  • Blindness
  • Tunnel vision / peripheral vision loss
  • And more

This plugin is ideal for people looking to develop and test accessible websites, especially those meeting WCAG 2.1.

To simulate blindness we have developed a simulated screen reader designed for sighted users. This is designed to give you a taste of using a full screen reader, without all the expense and difficulty.

Made by the accessibility experts at Silktide

User reviews

These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Allows adjustment of simulation effects (e.g., cataracts, tunnel vision)
  • Feature-rich with effective low-vision and no-vision simulations
  • Helps build empathy and understanding for accessibility issues
  • Excellent tool for accessibility testing, especially for online course content
  • Useful for UX and UI work, aiding in identifying accessibility issues
Cons
  • Bugs and technical issues, such as non-functional features
  • The window size of the tool is too large, lacking an option for smaller sizes
  • Curtain feature does not work well with built-in screen readers
  • Extension does not work consistently across all websites
  • Hijacks certain keyboard shortcuts without an option to turn off
Most mentioned
  • Bugs and room for improvement
  • Feature-rich functionality
  • Difficulty in getting it to work on non-Silktide websites
User reviews
Wonderful simulation that allows you to adjust how strong the effect is e.g for cataracts, tunnel vision etc. I was very very impressed with this extension. I was even thinking of incorporating this extension in my accessibility tutorials to help build empathy. However impressive this extension is there are some bugs and room for improvement, not sure if there is a Product Owner or where to send this: 1) Allow for a smaller app window for the extension, as right now the extension tool window takes up too much real estate. Currently there are only minimize and the default window size which is way too large. 2) The "curtain" feature does not work with the built-in screen reader. I turned it on and expect to return to the browser window and use the screen reader to navigate the page. Unfortunately, when I return to the browser window, the curtain disappears (which defeats the purpose of the curtain) 3) I was really impressed with the simulated screen reader as it seems to almost mimic NVDA except when it came to links or buttons built with aria-labelledby. NVDA would read those accessible names, but this simulator only reads the visible label. If this can be fixed, then I would love to present this tool as a viable alternative to NVDA to developers, etc. Thank you!
by Ani, 2023-05-16

Just installed on Brave Browser, and i can't make it work. I click on the icon, double clic... nothing... am i missing anything ?
by Nicolas M.Bronner, 2023-04-23

Highly useful, but unfortunately, suffers from some bugs. In blindness mode, when tab'ing to a list, it is impossible to navigate further. If this extension received some loving care from its developer, it would be a great tool for accessibility testing.
by Vidar Ramdal, 2022-09-09
View all user reviews

Extension safety

Risk impact

Silktide - website accessibility simulator requires very minimum permissions.

Risk likelihood

Silktide - website accessibility simulator has earned a good reputation and can be trusted.

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