Hi, so in college I have this network class. It's mainly windows here, I just happen to have a mac. I don't have much problems in general with Packet Tracer, it's just a very visual app first but once you read their accessibility guide it's quite good for what I have to do, using the workspace view. I was just wondering before trying this my self if the experience on mac with VO is any better or at least equal to that of Windows?
By TheBlindGuy07, 29 August, 2025
Comments
Much better on Windows
I had to use this for my Networking Certs with Cisco, and luckily I had my Windows 11 laptop at this point. Personally, my experience with this on macOS was horrible, admittedly though I was using an older version of macOS at the time.
Having said all of that, there is a podcast that may interest you.
https://applevis.com/podcasts/demonstration-cisco-packet-tracer-mac-powerful-network-simulation-tool
Is it accessible on windows
Good to know that packate tracer is accessible on windows now.
Back in 2018 it was not accessible with windows with JAWS or NVDA.
Yes
My experience with it, and NVDA, was very accessible. Granted that was only last year (2024) that I took my Cisco courses that required packet tracer.
The won and only issue I can remember was anytime I had to go into the section where you choose Windows desktop, or command prompt, etc. I believe that was a little flaky in terms of screen reader accessibility, but it was still usable. Just had to deal with counting Spaces to get to the right icon, etc. Hope that makes sense.
It is accessible
The workspace view is the way to go. Even the cli isn't that bad tbh. Just a bit ob learning curve, it's especially important to get the app's logic, then you're good.
Will have to check it out.
back in 2018 it was crap.
I had to use real equipments like real routers and all since cisco packet tracer was not accessible at all.
If anyone can share a demo using it with windows then that would be awesome.
Not necessarily accessible, but usable
There are more weird bugs on the mac side but it's certainly usable, I've done an entire assignment with the mac version only.
Unable to disable CLI tts under settings as indicated on the web and on cisco packet tracer accessibility page though, any tip will be appreciated as it's quite annoying.