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

I’d say you are ‘compliant’ as long as that info may be found in browse mode – you could argue that it fails 1.3.1 or 1.3.2 in spirit if not in letter however, on usability grounds alone, add that group role, or a fieldset.

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

CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization.


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>


Kevin Prince

Product Accessibility & Usability Consultant



E kevin.prince@fostermoore.com

Christchurch

fostermoore.com

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