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

From what you describe, it sounds like the form could benefit from improvements in design rather than conformance band aids … 

 

how does a user remove an uploaded document, for example?

 

I’d recommend visually and programmatically hiding the type=”file”, adding a button element with an appropriate text node, and firing a click at the type=”file” when this new button is activated …  

 

this provides a consistent UI across browsers and can make file upload more secure … 

 

the uploaded file name could be used in a text node for this new button so as to drop the uploaded file as in ‘remove xyz’ and then restoring to it’s original … 

 

just my two cents worth 

 

 

this makes the UI consistent across all user agents 

 

 

From: Vlad Kolpakov <vkolp95@gmail.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, September 6, 2022 4:28 PM
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: Screen reader output when focusing on questions in a complex form

 

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 <mailto:vkolp95@gmail.com>