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Test: ARIA dialog role must use document mode

Screen Reader support level: supported

Voice Control support level: unknown

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About this test

This test ensures the dialog role does not invoke application mode in screen readers. The default mode (document) must be used. ARIA 1.0 had language for the dialog role that could suggest that application mode must be invoked. However, that language was clarified in aria 1.1.

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Age of results

Results in this test range from 16 days ago to 7 years ago. See detailed information about test dates and versions for more information.

Test HTML

Open the test case HTML file
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <title>ARIA dialog role document mode test</title>
</head>
<body>
    <button>Go to Dialog</button>
    <div role="dialog" aria-label="test">
        <h1 tabindex="-1">Test Dialog</h1>
        <p>paragraph before</p>
        <p id="target">target</p>
        <p>paragraph after</p>
    </div>

    <script>
        /** It is necessary to send focus to an element inside of the dialog in order for some screen readers (NVDA) to read its contents. **/
        document.querySelector('button').addEventListener("click", function(){
           document.querySelector('h1').focus();
        });
    </script>
</body>
</html>

Summary of Screen Reader support by expectation

dialog role
ExpectationJAWSNarratorNVDAOrcaTalkBackVoiceOver (iOS)VoiceOver (macOS)
ChromeEdgeFirefoxEdgeChromeEdgeFirefoxFirefoxChromeSafariSafari
MUST NOT automatically switch away from reading modesupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupported

* means that some support is hidden behind settings

Summary of Voice Control support by expectation

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

* means that some support is hidden behind settings

Summary of Keyboard support by expectation

dialog role
ExpectationWindows KeyboardMac KeyboardiOS KeyboardAndroid Keyboard
ChromeFirefoxEdgeChromeSafariSafariChrome
Not applicable

* means that some support is hidden behind settings

Detailed support results by expectation

Expectation for the dialog role: automatically switch away from reading mode

This expectation is from the dialog role feature.

Strength of this expectation for different types of assistive technologies:

  • Screen Readers: MUST NOT
  • Voice Control: NA

Grading method:

Just one of the listed commands must pass for the expectation to pass.

ATBrowserHas SupportOutput
Dragon Naturally SpeakingChromenot applicable-
JAWSChromeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch JAWS and Chrome.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: Down arrow (Read next item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: target
JAWSEdgeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch JAWS and Edge.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: Down arrow (Read next item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: target
JAWSFirefoxyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch JAWS and Firefox.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: Down arrow (Read next item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: target
NarratorEdgeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Down arrow (Jump to next item (scan mode)) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch Narrator and Edge.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: Down arrow (Jump to next item (scan mode))
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: target
NVDAChromeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch NVDA and Chrome.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: down arrow (Read next item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: target
NVDAEdgeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch NVDA and Edge.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: down arrow (Read next item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: target
NVDAFirefoxyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch NVDA and Firefox.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: down arrow (Read next item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: target
Notes: An element in the dialog had to receive focus before the contents of the dialog would be read by NVDA.
OrcaFirefoxyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch Orca and Firefox.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: down arrow (Read next item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "target"
TalkBackChromeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Swipe right (or alt+right arrow) (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch TalkBack and Chrome.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: Swipe right (or alt+right arrow) (Read next item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: target
Voice Access (Android)Chromenot applicable-
Voice Control (iOS)Safarinot applicable-
Voice Control (MacOS)Safarinot applicable-
VoiceOver (iOS)Safariyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Swipe Right (Next item) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch VoiceOver (iOS) and Safari.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: Swipe Right (Next item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: target
VoiceOver (macOS)Safariyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use VO + Right arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch VoiceOver (macOS) and Safari.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: VO + Right arrow (Read next item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: target
Windows Speech RecognitionEdgenot applicable-
Windows Speech RecognitionChromenot applicable-
Windows Voice AccessEdgenot applicable-
Windows Voice AccessChromenot applicable-
Windows KeyboardChromenot applicable-
Windows KeyboardFirefoxnot applicable-
Windows KeyboardEdgenot applicable-
Mac KeyboardChromenot applicable-
Mac KeyboardSafarinot applicable-
iOS KeyboardSafarinot applicable-
Android KeyboardChromenot applicable-

Extended Support for: dialog role: automatically switch away from reading mode

These are less common combinations

ATBrowserHas SupportOutput
Dragon Naturally SpeakingIEnot applicable-
Dragon Naturally SpeakingFirefoxnot applicable-
JAWS 2018.1811.2IE 11.253yes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[role="dialog"]`
      1. Launch JAWS and IE.
      2. Navigate to the test page.
      3. Find the target element(s) that you will test against. Identify all elements that match this selector:*[role="dialog"]
        • If multiple elements match the selector, repeat this test for all instances. However, choose a single instance to report against. If you feel that the selector should be more specific, please open a GitHub Issue.
      4. Position and configure the screen reader so that the following conditions are met
        • Virtual focus is: before target
        • Keyboard focus is: before target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: Down arrow (Read next item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: target
NarratorFirefoxunknown-
NarratorChromeunknown-
NarratorIEunknown-
NVDAIEunknown-
TalkBackFirefoxunknown-
Voice Access (Android)Firefoxnot applicable-
VoiceOver (iOS)Chromeunknown-
VoiceOver (macOS)Chromeunknown-
VoiceOver (macOS)Firefoxunknown-
OrcaChromeunknown-
Voice Control (MacOS)Chromenot applicable-
Voice Control (MacOS)Firefoxnot applicable-
Mac KeyboardFirefoxnot applicable-
Android KeyboardFirefoxnot applicable-
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Dates and Versions of tested combinations

ATAT VersionBrowserBrowser versionOS versionDate tested
JAWS2021.2107.12Chrome92Windows 10 version 21h12021-08-07
JAWS2021.2107.12Edge92Windows 10 version 21h12021-08-07
JAWS2018.1811.2Firefox66Windows 10 version 18092019-05-19
NarratorWindows 10 version 1809Edge44.17763Windows 10 version 18092018-01-18
NVDA2024.4Chrome129Windows 11 version 23h22024-12-06
NVDA2021.1Edge92Windows 10 version 21h12021-08-07
NVDA2018.4.1Firefox64.0.2Windows 10 version 18092019-01-19
Orca3.31.4Firefox69Ubuntu 19.042019-09-13
TalkBack7.2Chrome678.12018-07-21
VoiceOver (iOS)12.1.2Safari12.1.212.1.22018-01-18
VoiceOver (macOS)10.14.2Safari12.0.210.14.22018-10-26

History

  • 2019-01-18 Test created
  • 2019-09-13 Orca results and missing information added
  • 2021-08-07 Added Narrator results for NVDA and JAWS, updated NVDA+Chrome results.
  • 2024-12-08 Updated results for NVDA+Chrome. No changes. Thanks @SimoAccessiWay!

This test is found in the following features:

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