IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Mar 2026

Effective Practices for User-Centered Instant Localization of a Screen Reader Software

Zsuzsanna B. Palmer Grand Valley State University

Abstract

<bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>Introduction:</i></b> This case study's purpose is to make visible the skills and knowledge necessary for the instant localization of screen readers. <bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>About the case:</i></b> The case study examines the work of localization experts at a nonprofit organization in Hungary, who localize the proprietary Job Access with Speech (JAWS) screen reader software and support its target users. <bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>Situating the case:</i></b> The study was informed by research in translation studies and localization-focused literature within the field of technical and professional communication. Research on accessible usability and software design was also consulted. <bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>Methods/approach:</i></b> Participant observations and interviews with employees of the nonprofit organization and with the software's users were conducted. Data were transcribed, then coded using qualitative data-analysis methods. Codes that emerged from the data were grouped into themes to create a narrative interwoven with quotes about the activities of localization experts. <bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>Results/discussion:</i></b> The findings from this study show that the instant localization process used by localization experts of this software requires a specific set of skills in addition to those used in project-based approaches to localization. Additional language and communication skills, as well as programming knowledge to develop additional program features and training materials, were found to be essential for addressing all users’ needs. <bold xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Technical and professional communication practitioners can contribute to the localization of adaptive technologies through their strong usability, user experience, and communication skills.

Journal
IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Published
2026-03-01
DOI
10.1109/tpc.2026.3658116
CompPile
Search in CompPile ↗
Open Access
Closed
Topics
technical communication professional writing qualitative research
Export
BibTeX RIS

Citation Context

Cited by in this index (0)

No articles in this index cite this work.

Cites in this index (18)

  1. Butler (2026)
    Top Stories and Deaf News: Accessible Information and Communication in …
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  2. Palmer (2025)
    Advocacy, Community, and Shared Expertise Make a Screen Reader Available in Hun…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  3. Palmer et al. (2025)
    Constructing Websites with Generative AI Tools: The Accessibility of Their Work…
    Journal of Business and Technical Communication
  4. Petts et al. (2024)
    Setting Foundations: An Integrative Literature Review at the Intersections of T…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  5. Palumbo et al. (2024)
    The Evolutionary Convergence of Technical Communication and Translation: An Int…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
Show all 18 →
  1. Pihlaja et al. (2024)
    Translation and Localization in Global Technical Communication
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  2. Sharma et al. (2024)
    Pedagogical Impact of Text-Generative AI and ChatGPT on Business Communication
    Business and Professional Communication Quarterly
  3. Willers (2024)
    Bridging the Accessibility Divide: Testing the Efficacy of an Accessible User E…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  4. Dorpenyo (2019)
    Risky Election, Vulnerable Technology: Localizing Biometric Use in Elections fo…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  5. Zdenek (2019)
    Guest editor's introduction
    Communication Design Quarterly
  6. Hutter et al. (2018)
    Promoting inclusive and accessible design in usability testing
    Communication Design Quarterly
  7. Batova (2018)
    Negotiating Multilingual Quality in Component Content-Management Environments
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  8. Browning et al. (2017)
    Teaching a “Critical Accessibility Case Study”
    Journal of Technical Writing and Communication
  9. Batova (2014)
    Component Content Management and Quality of Information Products for Global Aud…
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  10. Oswal (2014)
    Participatory design
    Communication Design Quarterly
  11. Agboka (2013)
    Participatory Localization: A Social Justice Approach to Navigating Unenfranchi…
    Technical Communication Quarterly
  12. Mousten et al. (2010)
    Learning Localization through Trans-Atlantic Collaboration: Bridging the Gap
    IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication
  13. Sun (2006)
    The Triumph of Users: Achieving Cultural Usability Goals With User Localization
    Technical Communication Quarterly
Also cites 26 works outside this index ↓
  1. 10.1145/3328020.3353957
     ↗
  2. 10.4324/9780429453670
     ↗
  3. 10.1007/978-3-319-91241-7_2
     ↗
  4. 10.1515/applirev-2023-0122
     ↗
  5. 10.1007/978-3-030-88292-1_3
     ↗
  6. 10.1109/ProComm53155.2022.00073
     ↗
  7. 10.1145/3715336.3735691
     ↗
  8. 10.55177/tc041879
     ↗
  9. 10.1145/2661334.2661414
     ↗
  10. 10.1145/1168987.1169065
     ↗
  11. 10.4324/9781315753621
     ↗
  12. 10.4324/9781003340904
     ↗
  13. 10.1191/1478088706qp0630a
     ↗
  14. 10.4324/9781003340904-7
     ↗
  15. 10.1109/ACCESS.2021.3116100
     ↗
  16. 10.7330/9781646422760
     ↗
  17. 10.1063/1.5055496
     ↗
  18. 10.47476/jat.v4i2.2021.176
     ↗
  19. 10.3109/09638288.2014.938178
     ↗
  20. 10.1145/3641237.3691647
     ↗
  21. 10.4324/9781315670898
     ↗
  22. 10.2307/jj.18255371
     ↗
  23. 10.37514/TPC-B.2025.2517.2.17
     ↗
  24. 10.4324/9781351053341-12
     ↗
  25. 10.2307/jj.18255371.8
     ↗
  26. 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199744763.001.0001
     ↗
CrossRef global citation count: 0 View in citation network → Build reading path →

Related Articles

  1. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication Mar 2026
    “It's Hard to Show ROI When You’re Preventing Things from Happening”: How Impact Storytelling Frames Community Health Initiatives for Executive Audiences ↗
    Margaret Hsiao
    technical communication professional writing qualitative research
  2. Technical Communication Quarterly Oct 2024
    ’F---- Shark Tank:’ Rethinking the Centrality of the Business Pitch in Microenterprise Entrepreneurship ↗
    Mason T. Pellegrini
    rhetorical criticism genre theory graduate education technical communication professional writing qualitative research race and writing affect and writing editorial matter
  3. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication Sep 2024
    Setting Foundations: An Integrative Literature Review at the Intersections of Technical and Professional Communication and Translation Studies ↗
    Ashleigh Petts; Saveena Chakrika Veeramoothoo; Massimo Verzella
    writing pedagogy technical communication professional writing qualitative research translingualism race and writing book reviews
  4. Technical Communication Quarterly Jul 2024
    Black Professional Ethos: Exploring Black Mentorship Through Narrative Ethnography in Technical Communication ↗
    Christopher J. Morris; Laura L. Allen
    rhetorical criticism argument technical communication professional writing qualitative research
  5. Technical Communication Quarterly Jul 2024
    (Re)situating Professionalism: Using Course Documents As Tactical Tools in the Professional Writing Classroom ↗
    Alicia K. Hatcher; Lerie M. Gabriel
    rhetorical criticism writing pedagogy technical communication professional writing qualitative research