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aria-activedescendant attribute (aria)

Screen reader support level: partial (36/39)

Voice Control support level: unknown

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About this feature

Identifies the currently active element when DOM focus is on a composite widget, textbox, group, or application.

Age of results

Results across all tests for this feature range from 2 years ago to 3 years ago. Detailed dates and version information can be found in associated tests.

Caution

Failing or partial results may be out of date. The oldest result is from 3 years ago. Consider running the associated tests and contributing results.

Expectations

What are expectations?

Screen Reader support by expectation

ExpectationJAWSNarratorNVDAOrcaTalkBackVoiceOver (iOS)VoiceOver (macOS)
ChromeEdgeFirefoxEdgeChromeEdgeFirefoxFirefoxChromeSafariSafari
MUST convey the referenced element as activesupportedsupportedsupportedpartial (1/2)supportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupported
MUST convey when the referenced element changessupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportednot applicablenot applicablepartial (1/2)

Voice Control support by expectation

ExpectationDragon Naturally SpeakingVoice Access (Android)Voice Control (iOS)Voice Control (MacOS)Windows Speech RecognitionWindows Voice Access
ChromeChromeSafariSafariEdgeChromeEdgeChrome
Not applicable

Expectation: convey the referenced element as active

Rationale:

A screen reader user needs to be aware of which descendant is currently active

Strength of this expectation for different types of assistive technologies:

  • Screen Readers: MUST
  • Voice Control: NA

Examples:

  • When navigating to an element with this attribute, screen readers will also announce the referenced element

Expectation: convey when the referenced element changes

Rationale:

A screen reader user needs to be aware of which descendant is currently active

Strength of this expectation for different types of assistive technologies:

  • Screen Readers: MUST
  • Voice Control: NA

Examples:

  • When navigating within an element with this attribute, screen readers will also announce the referenced element as the reference changes