Kindle by Amazon
- Reading System Kindle
- Vendor Amazon
- Assistive Technology: Kindle Paperwhite 11th generation
- OS: Linux
- Tested with Braille: No
- Tested with Screenreader: No
- Input type: Touch
Results for Read Aloud: 66.67%
Last updated: 16 September 2025
Test book used: Fundamental Accessibility Tests: Read Aloud, version 2.0.0 .
These tests were done by Richard Orme.
Summary
Kindle Paperwhite 11th generation tested running firmware 5.1.4. The read aloud on this device is named Assistive Reader. It supports most functions. The start position cannot be precisely controlled by the user. There is one voice available. Alt text cannot be announced.
| Test ID | Name | Description | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ReadAloud-010 | The content can be read aloud | Focus on the beginning of a paragraph or a sentence and initiate reading with text-to-speech using a feature of the reading system. | Fail | The assistive reading feature begins reading from teh first text shown on the disply. It is not possible to start from a specified position. Tapping near the top reveals the panel at the bottom where the read aloud position can be 'rewound' a few seconds, or navigated back and forward to the next heading(?). |
| ReadAloud-110 | Stop and resume reading | Initiate reading from any point in the book. Stop Read Aloud and note the last read position. Initiate reading again using the Read Aloud feature and check if reading starts at the last read location. | Pass | The Assistive Reader can be started by tapping at the top of the display to reveal the pop up progress panel at the bottom. A play button initiates reading, and the panel disappears. Tapping at the top of the display pauses read aloud and reveals the panel again. Tapping play resumes reading from the paused position. |
| ReadAloud-210 | The Read Aloud feature should continue until interrupted by the user | The Read Aloud feature should continue until interrupted by the user, keeping the text being spoken in view. | Pass | The read aloud continues until interupted. |
| ReadAloud-310 | All text should be read in the proper order | Sample text has been provided below to test the reading order. The Paragraph 2 should be read after Paragraph 1 by the Read Aloud feature. Note that visually Paragraph 2 is placed to the left of Paragraph 1 but it is second in the reading order. | Pass | The text is read in the correct order. |
| ReadAloud-350 | Image alternate text reading | Ensure that the alternate text for the image can be announced. | Fail | The image alt text is anot announced. |
| ReadAloud-400 | Change Read Aloud reading voice | It should be possible to choose from some different options the voice used for read aloud. | Fail | Assistive Reader on Kindle Paperwhite does not offer a different voices. |
| ReadAloud-410 | Change Read Aloud reading speed | It should be possible to adjust (increase/decrease) the speed of reading. | Pass | The Assistive Reader can be started by tapping at the top of the display to reveal the pop up progress panel at the bottom. The voice speed control is in this panel. |
| ReadAloud-510 | Text to Speech handles punctuation and document structure appropriately | When Read Aloud is activated, there should be slight pauses after headings, list items etc., rather than reading as if it is one continuous section of text. | Pass | The sample text is read as expected, with appropriate phrasing and pauses. |
| ReadAloud-610 | Text is emphasised as it is spoken by read aloud | Check if the Text is emphasised as it is spoken by read aloud. | Pass | The text is underlined as each word is read aloud, with the underline extending from the start of each sentence and then refreshing for the next. |
Results for Visual Adjustments: 62.5%
Last updated: 16 September 2025
Test book used: Fundamental Accessibility Tests: Visual Adjustments, version 2.0.0 .
These tests were done by Richard Orme.
Summary
Kindle Paperwhite 11th generation tested running firmware 5.18.4. Most visual adjustment features are supported. It is not possible to magnify the user interface. The SVG image cannot be enlarged.
| Test ID | Name | Description | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| visual-010 | Change font size | Use the controls available in the application or else in the operating system to change (increase/decrease) the size of the font. The font size change should apply uniformly to all the book content including headings, regular paragraphs, list items, and the text content of tables. | Pass | To change the font size tap at the top of the screen, then on the Aa button. The size can be adjusted in the Font tab of the panel that appears. |
| visual-110 | Change background and foreground color | Change background and foreground colour (May be through reading system feature or through OS settings). | N/A | The Paperwhite is a monochromatic e-ink display. |
| visual-210 | Change brightness | Use the controls available in the application or else in the operating system to change (increase/decrease) the screen brightness. | Pass | To change brightness swipe down from the top. The brightness and warmth can be adjusted using the slides in the panel. |
| visual-310 | Apply high contrast system configuration | The reading system interface and book content except images should respect the high contrast mode (invert colors) if present in the Operating System. | Pass | In accessibility settings there is the option to invert black and white, which inverts the text, image and page colours on all screens. Also, the interface can be switched to white on black background by swiping down from the top of the display, then selecting Dark mode. |
| visual-410 | Magnify the User Interface(UI) | Use the controls available in the application or else in the operating system to magnify the Reading System screen. All aspects of the User Interface such as menus, sidebars, pop-up windows, dialog boxes and search box should get magnified uniformly. | Fail | There is no feature provided to magnify the user interface. |
| visual-510 | Change Font | Choose from a selection of fonts, including sans-serif and serif options. | Pass | To change the font, tap at the top of the screen, tap on Aa, and then select the Font tab in the displayed panel. In Font family choose from 9 options, including serif and sans serif options. |
| visual-550 | Viewing MathML | The block and inline math expressions below are in the MathML format. Check if the math expressions inline and between the paragraphs are displayed correctly. Use the controls available in the application or else in the operating system to change (increase/decrease) the size of the font. Check if the math expressions also change size in proportion. Change background and foreground color (may be through reading system feature or through OS settings). Check if the math expressions reflect the changed color settings. | Pass | The math expression is displayed correctly and changes size in proportion when the surrounding text is adjusted. |
| visual-710 | Enlarge SVG Image | Check if this SVG format image displayed below this paragraph can be enlarged. | Fail | The SVG image is displayed as expected, however a technique could not be discovered to enlarge the image. |