RE: Unnecessary visually hidden text

I often encounter content that requires an explanation for people who can't see it. Sometimes that's because an area of content makes sense when viewed as a whole, but it would be difficult or impossible for a screen reader user to understand it when they encounter it one piece at a time.

In other cases, content needs explanation because HTML doesn't have the necessary elements and attributes to convey the purpose and behaviour programmatically.

Then there are scenarios in which form controls cause page content to change without a page reload. For a sighted person, it's obvious what has happened, but a screen reader user would not be aware that anything had happened if instructions had not been provided. Sometimes, a live region can convey sufficient information, but other times it's best to provide instructions that can be read before the user interacts with the page.

In my view, "universal design" is a myth, and there isn't one design that will be suitable for everyone. Obviously, we want to get as close to that as possible, but sometimes you do need to provide additional information or features (or maybe remove some) for people with specific needs.

Steve Green
Managing Director
Test Partners Ltd

From: Ms J <ms.jflz.woop@gmail.com>
Sent: 16 October 2025 12:10
To: 'w3c-wai-ig' <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>
Subject: Unnecessary visually hidden text

Hello

I have noticed many web content authors using a screen reader only class to add visually hidden text which is not conveying information otherwise displayed visually.

I think this is well meaning and just comes from not really understanding what information users really need. However, the result is that it ends up benefiting sighted users by tidying up the page visually so it is succinct and direct, whilst leaving information deemed as clearly unhelpful enough to hide there for screen reader users.

I also think it's somewhat condescending - if you are blind then you need an alternative to any information that is conveyed visually, but you don't need anything else spelled out any more than any other standard user.

I am wondering if anyone else has encountered this and how they handle it please?

My feeling is that information should surely only be visually hidden if it is clearly there in another form visually. Otherwise, if it is not an alternative to information there visually in another format, and an author would not want to publish the page with it there visually because it looks unprofessional or unnecessary, then they should remove it, so the page presented just as professionally to users reading it via a screen reader.

I am interested to hear other people's views on this?

Thanks

Sarah

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