RE: Screen reader output when focusing on questions in a complex form

If you use aria-label, you need to ensure that its value contains the visible label otherwise you will violate WCAG SC 2.5.3 (Label in Name).

Steve Green
Managing Director
Test Partners Ltd


-----Original Message-----
From: Sailesh Panchang <sailesh.panchang@deque.com> 
Sent: 06 September 2022 14:26
To: Vlad Kolpakov <vkolp95@gmail.com>
Cc: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: Re: Screen reader output when focusing on questions in a complex form

Have you experimented with aria-label for  single form controls- that can be an effective way of exposing the control's purpose and providing the required context. It will override the visible label etc.
Thanks,
Sailesh


On 9/6/22, Vlad Kolpakov <vkolp95@gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi folks,
>
> There's a form with multiple question types. In addition to text 
> fields, check boxes and radios, it uses push buttons that trigger 
> modal dialogs, as well as input type="file" elements as ways to answer questions.
>
> Let's say, I'm filling out the form with screen reader and move with 
> the tab key. When I navigate to  a question that requires me to upload 
> a file in order to answer it, focus moves to the <input> that triggers 
> a file picker. Only the name and role of the element are announced on 
> focus. The question itself (E.G., "Upload parent document") is not read.
>
>   *      Is it necessary (from WCAG conformance standpoint) to have the
>     question announced when the control that serves for answering gains
>     focus?
>   * If so, how do I implement the behavior? I thought of using Fieldset
>     and Legend, as well as role="group" with ARIA labeling elements, but
>     neither of these approaches seems to fit since they work with
>     multiple related controls, not 1, as we have in this case. Using
>     landmark role="region" is off the table, there,re too many questions
>     in the form, and marking each question with region seems really bad.
>
> -- The same question applies to the case where there's only 1 checkbox 
> as an answer to the question. I'm not sure if grouping one element is sensible.
> Otherwise, screen reader doesn't announce the question when the 
> checkbox is focused, only the name, role and value of the element.
> Any guidance is highly appreciated.
>
> Best,
> Vlad
> vkolp95@gmail.com
>


--
Sailesh Panchang
Customer Success Strategist and Principal Accessibility Consultant Deque Systems Inc
381 Elden Street, Suite 2000, Herndon,
VA 20170
Mobile: 571-344-1765

Received on Tuesday, 6 September 2022 13:59:25 UTC