This 3-page document provides guidance on testing web accessibility for users with low vision who use screen magnifiers like Windows Magnifier. It recommends testing with a magnifier at 400-800% zoom to check for issues like tooltips disappearing during horizontal scrolling. The document outlines steps for setting up Windows Magnifier and includes sample test steps like ensuring dynamically updated elements stay near their activating controls when magnified.

1. Web A11y Testing 6 - Windows Magnifier Page 1 of 3
Web Accessibility Testing 5 -
Windows Magnifier
Introduction
When testing a site for accessibility, it’s easy to focus on blind users and forget about
users with low vision. Users with low vision may use a screen magnifier, which will
require them to scroll horizontally - and that’s something we may not have considered
when designing a page.
Testing with a magnifier is recommended when implementing a new framework, new
types of form controls, or new mouseover features.
Users with low vision will often use ZoomText, but this document will focus on
Windows Magnifier as a free alternative. Basic functionality is similar, except ZoomText
smooths out magnified text, while Windows Magnifier does not.

2. Web A11y Testing 6 - Windows Magnifier Page 2 of 3
Set up Windows Magnifier
1. Add a Windows Magnifer shortcut to your desktop.
2. Right-click on the shortcut, and select Properties.
3. Find the Shortcut Key field, and press the Ctrl+Alt+m keys together
Testing with Windows Magnifier
Keep in mind that when the screen is magnified, the user sees a lot less content at once.
This means the user needs to do a lot more horizontal scrolling. So it’s best to keep
related elements close together.

3. Web A11y Testing 6 - Windows Magnifier Page 3 of 3
Some test steps to try:
1. Windows - Magnifier - set to around 400% - 800%
2. Test any tooltips/rollovers and make sure you can read them - make sure they
don’t disappear when you scroll sideways to read the whole thing
3. Any elements which dynamically appear/change should be adjacent to the
control which activated them
4. Related controls should be near each other - not on opposite sides of the screen
Example of an issue
Notice that the ‘+’ link is on the far right side, where it may not be noticed while
magnified.