Silktide - website accessibility simulator

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.
Merlin
Stats
By: Silktide
Users: 10,000+
Rating: 3.94 (17)
Version: 1.2.3 (Last updated: 2023-12-07)
Creation date: 2020-03-24
Risk impact: Low risk impact
Risk likelihood: Very low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 3
Permissions:
  • activeTab
  • scripting
  • webNavigation
Size: 683.01K
URLs: Website
Stats date:

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Merlin
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
User reviews summary
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 Chrome Web Store does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.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 you to adjust simulation strength (e.g., cataracts, tunnel vision, etc.)
  • Highly useful for UX and UI work
  • Feature-rich with screen reader simulation and low-vision/no-vision features
  • Excellent tool for accessibility testing and building empathy
  • Simulated screen reader almost mimics NVDA
Cons
  • Extension tool window takes up too much real estate
  • 'Curtain' feature doesn't work with built-in screen reader
  • Simulator only reads visible label for links/buttons built with aria-labelledby
  • Some features (like 'select' mode in screen reader simulator or simulation in blindness mode) are buggy or don't work at all
  • Some users are unable to get it to work on browsers or websites other than Silktide
  • Extension hijacks Ctrl+Enter shortcut, without an option to turn it off
Most mentioned
  • Simulation of different visual impairments
  • Screen reader simulation
  • Great tool for testing website accessibility
  • Some issues with various features/bugs
  • Bulky extension window size
Recent 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 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 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 Vidar Ramdal, 2022-09-09
View all user reviews
Safety
Risk impact

Silktide - website accessibility simulator is relatively safe to use as it requires very minimum permissions.

Risk likelihood

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

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