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Test: aria-roledescription attribute with HTML section

Screen Reader support level: partial (8/11)

Voice Control support level: unknown

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About this test

This test ensures that the value of aria-roledescription is announced by screen readers

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Age of results

Results in this test range from 3 years ago to 5 years ago. See detailed information about test dates and versions for more information.

Caution

Failing or partial results may be out of date. The oldest result is from 5 years ago. Consider running this test and contributing results.

Test HTML

Open the test case HTML file
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <title>aria-roledescription attribute with the HTML section element</title>
</head>
<body>
    <p>Use the screen reader to announce the target element.</p>
    <section aria-roledescription="custom section role" id="target" aria-label="section name">
        Target
    </section>
    <p>Content after target</p>
</body>
</html>

Summary of Screen Reader support by expectation

aria-roledescription attribute
ExpectationJAWSNarratorNVDAOrcaTalkBackVoiceOver (iOS)VoiceOver (macOS)
ChromeEdgeFirefoxEdgeChromeEdgeFirefoxFirefoxChromeSafariSafari
MUST convey the value of the roledescription attribute as the role applied to: section elementsupportedsupportednonesupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportednonenonesupported

* means that some support is hidden behind settings

Summary of Voice Control support by expectation

aria-roledescription attribute
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

Detailed support results by expectation

Expectation for the aria-roledescription attribute: convey the value of the roledescription attribute as the role - applied to the section element

This expectation is applied to the section element. Expectations and results might differ when the the feature is applied to different roles.

This expectation is from the aria-roledescription attribute feature.

Rationale:

A screen reader user needs to know the current value of the input.

Strength of this expectation for different types of assistive technologies:

  • Screen Readers: MUST
  • 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 r (Next region) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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: r (Next region)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "target, section name, custom section role"
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Insert + F3 (Open element list)
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: Insert + F3 (Open element list)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: na
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "section name, custom section role"
JAWSEdgeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use r (Next region) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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: r (Next region)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "target, section name, custom section role"
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Insert + F3 (Open element list)
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: Insert + F3 (Open element list)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: na
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "section name, custom section role"
JAWSFirefoxnone
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use Down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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"
    • Result Notes: no information about the section was conveyed
    • Grading note: This command may be expected to fail. This result simply indicates that it did not yield support.
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use Insert + F3 (Open element list)
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: Insert + F3 (Open element list)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: na
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "section name, region"
    • Result Notes: in list of regions, but role was not changed.
    • Grading note: This command may be expected to fail. This result simply indicates that it did not yield support.
Grading Note: There is no known/documented support. There may still be support for this expectation, but it is undocumented. If this is the case, please report this issue.
NarratorEdgeyes
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use Down arrow (Jump to next item (scan mode)) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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"
    • Grading note: This command may be expected to fail. This result simply indicates that it did not yield support.
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use d (Next landmark) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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: d (Next landmark)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "section name, custom section role, region landmark"
NVDAChromeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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: "section name, custom section role, target."
NVDAEdgeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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: "section name, custom section role, target."
NVDAFirefoxyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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: "Section name, custom section role, target."
OrcaFirefoxyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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, custom section role"
TalkBackChromenone
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use Swipe right (or alt+right arrow) (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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: "section name, region"
    • Result Notes: Contents of the section could not be announced.
    • Grading note: This command may be expected to fail. This result simply indicates that it did not yield support.
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use swipe down after changing the reading control to 'landmarks' (alt+D) (Next landmark) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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 down after changing the reading control to 'landmarks' (alt+D) (Next landmark)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "section name, region"
    • Result Notes: Contents of the section could not be announced.
    • Grading note: This command may be expected to fail. This result simply indicates that it did not yield support.
Grading Note: There is no known/documented support. There may still be support for this expectation, but it is undocumented. If this is the case, please report this issue.
Voice Access (Android)Chromenot applicable-
Voice Control (iOS)Safarinot applicable-
Voice Control (MacOS)Safarinot applicable-
VoiceOver (iOS)Safarinone
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use Swipe Right (Next item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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, section name, landmark"
    • Grading note: This command may be expected to fail. This result simply indicates that it did not yield support.
Grading Note: There is no known/documented support. There may still be support for this expectation, but it is undocumented. If this is the case, please report this issue.
VoiceOver (macOS)Safariyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use VO + Right arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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: "Section name, custom section role"
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: aria-roledescription attribute: convey the value of the roledescription attribute as the role

These are less common combinations

ATBrowserHas SupportOutput
Dragon Naturally SpeakingIEnot applicable-
Dragon Naturally SpeakingFirefoxnot applicable-
JAWS 2019.1907.42IE 11none
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use Down arrow (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-roledescription]`
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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"
    • Result Notes: no information about the section was conveyed
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use Insert + F3 (Open element list)
      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:*[aria-roledescription]
        • 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
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: Insert + F3 (Open element list)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: na
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "no regions were found on the page"
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
JAWS2019.1907.42Firefox69Windows 10 version 19032019-09-09
NarratorWindows 10 version 1903Edge44Windows 10 version 19032019-09-09
NVDA2021.1Chrome92Windows 10 version 21h12021-08-07
NVDA2021.1Edge92Windows 10 version 21h12021-08-07
NVDA2019.2Firefox76Windows 10 version 19032019-09-09
Orca3.31.4Firefox69Ubuntu 19.042019-09-09
TalkBack7.3.0Chrome7672019-09-09
VoiceOver (iOS)12.4.1Safari12.4.112.4.12019-09-09
VoiceOver (macOS)10.14.6Safari12.1.210.14.62019-09-09

History

  • 2018-11-12 Test created
  • 2019-09-09 Updated support info and added data for talkback and orca
  • 2021-08-07 Added Narrator results for NVDA and JAWS, updated NVDA+Chrome results.