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Test: aria-describedby attribute on a text input

Screen Reader support level: supported

Voice Control support level: unknown

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About this test

This test ensures that the accessible description is computed correctly when aria-describedby is on a text input.

Run this test and submit your results

Age of results

Results in this test range from a year ago to a year 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Failing or partial results may be out of date.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 a year ago. Consider running this test and contributing results.

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Summary of Screen Reader support by expectation

aria-describedby attribute
ExpectationJAWSNarratorNVDAOrcaTalkBackVoiceOver (iOS)VoiceOver (macOS)
ChromeEdgeFirefoxEdgeChromeEdgeFirefoxFirefoxChromeSafariSafari
MUST contribute to the description applied to: input[type="text"] elementsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupportedsupported
SHOULD convey description changes when in focus applied to: input[type="text"] elementsupportedsupportedsupportednonesupportedsupportedsupportednonenonenonepartial

* means that some support is hidden behind settings

Summary of Voice Control support by expectation

aria-describedby attribute
ExpectationDragon Naturally SpeakingVoice Access (Android)Voice Control (iOS)Voice Control (MacOS)Windows Speech Recognition
ChromeChromeSafariSafariChrome
Not applicable

* means that some support is hidden behind settings

Detailed support results by expectation

Expectation for the aria-describedby attribute: contribute to the description - applied to the input[type="text"] element

This expectation is applied to the input[type="text"] element. Expectations and results might differ when the the feature is applied to different roles.

This expectation is from the aria-describedby attribute feature.

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 Tab (Read next focusable item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: Tab (Read next focusable item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "Example label, edit, error colon {number}"
JAWSEdgeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Tab (Read next focusable item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: Tab (Read next focusable item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "Example label, edit, error colon {number}"
JAWSFirefoxyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Tab (Read next focusable item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: Tab (Read next focusable item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "Example label, edit, error {number}"
NarratorEdgeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Tab (Read next focusable item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: Tab (Read next focusable item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "example label, edit, error {number}"
NVDAChromeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Tab (Read next focusable item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: Tab (Read next focusable item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "example, label, edit, error {number}, blank"
NVDAEdgeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Tab (Read next focusable item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: Tab (Read next focusable item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "example, label, edit, error {number}, blank"
NVDAFirefoxyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Tab (Read next focusable item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: Tab (Read next focusable item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "example, label, edit, error {number}, blank"
OrcaFirefoxyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Tab (Read next focusable item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: Tab (Read next focusable item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "Example label, entry, error: {number}"
TalkBackChromeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Swipe right (or alt+right arrow) (Read next item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: "edit box, example label, error: {number}"
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 `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: "example label, text field, (long pause), error {number}, double tap to edit"
VoiceOver (macOS)Safariyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use Tab (Read next focusable item) to navigate forward to `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: Tab (Read next focusable item)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "example label, edit text, error {number}"
Windows Speech RecognitionChromenot applicable-

Extended Support for: aria-describedby attribute: contribute to the description

These are less common combinations

ATBrowserHas SupportOutput
Dragon Naturally SpeakingIEnot applicable-
Dragon Naturally SpeakingFirefoxnot applicable-
JAWSIEunknown-
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-
Windows Speech RecognitionEdgenot applicable-
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Expectation for the aria-describedby attribute: convey description changes when in focus - applied to the input[type="text"] element

This expectation is applied to the input[type="text"] element. Expectations and results might differ when the the feature is applied to different roles.

This expectation is from the aria-describedby attribute feature.

Strength of this expectation for different types of assistive technologies:

  • Screen Readers: SHOULD
  • 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 <enter text> (enter text) on the target of `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: target
        • Keyboard focus is: target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: <enter text> (enter text)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "error colon {number}"
JAWSEdgeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use <enter text> (enter text) on the target of `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: target
        • Keyboard focus is: target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: <enter text> (enter text)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "error colon {number}"
JAWSFirefoxyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use <enter text> (enter text) on the target of `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: target
        • Keyboard focus is: target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: <enter text> (enter text)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "error {number}"
NarratorEdgenone
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use <enter text> (enter text) on the target of `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: target
        • Keyboard focus is: target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: <enter text> (enter text)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: (only the character that was entered)
NVDAChromeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use <enter text> (enter text) on the target of `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: target
        • Keyboard focus is: target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: <enter text> (enter text)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "error {number}"
NVDAEdgeyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use <enter text> (enter text) on the target of `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: target
        • Keyboard focus is: target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: <enter text> (enter text)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "error {number}"
NVDAFirefoxyes
  • Result: (pass)
    • Test Case: Use <enter text> (enter text) on the target of `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: target
        • Keyboard focus is: target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: <enter text> (enter text)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "error {number}"
OrcaFirefoxnone
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use <enter text> (enter text) on the target of `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: target
        • Keyboard focus is: target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: <enter text> (enter text)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: (only the character that was entered)
TalkBackChromenone
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use <enter text> (enter text) on the target of `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: target
        • Keyboard focus is: target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: <enter text> (enter text)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: (only character entered)
Voice Access (Android)Chromenot applicable-
Voice Control (iOS)Safarinot applicable-
Voice Control (MacOS)Safarinot applicable-
VoiceOver (iOS)Safarinone
  • Result: (fail)
    • Test Case: Use <enter text> (enter text) on the target of `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: target
        • Keyboard focus is: target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: <enter text> (enter text)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: (only the character that was entered)
VoiceOver (macOS)Safaripartial
  • Result: (partial)
    • Test Case: Use <enter text> (enter text) on the target of `*[aria-describedby]`
      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-describedby]
        • 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: target
        • Keyboard focus is: target
        • Mode is: auto (do not explicitly change the mode)
      5. Issue the command: <enter text> (enter text)
        • After issuing the command, virtual focus should be: target
      6. Record results for the relevant expectations
    • Output: "error: {number}" at first pause of typing, further keypresses and pauses do not convey changes to the description
Windows Speech RecognitionChromenot applicable-

Extended Support for: aria-describedby attribute: convey description changes when in focus

These are less common combinations

ATBrowserHas SupportOutput
Dragon Naturally SpeakingIEnot applicable-
Dragon Naturally SpeakingFirefoxnot applicable-
JAWSIEunknown-
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-
Windows Speech RecognitionEdgenot applicable-
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Dates and Versions of tested combinations

ATAT VersionBrowserBrowser versionOS versionDate tested
JAWS2021.2107.12Chrome94Windows 10 version 21h12021-10-19
JAWS2021.2107.12Edge94Windows 10 version 21h12021-10-19
JAWS2021.2107.12Firefox93Windows 10 version 21h12021-10-19
NarratorWindows 10 version 21h1Edge94Windows 10 version 21h12021-10-19
NVDA2021.2Chrome94Windows 10 version 21h12021-10-19
NVDA2021.2Edge94Windows 10 version 21h12021-10-19
NVDA2021.2Firefox93Windows 10 version 19092021-10-19
Orca3.38.0Firefox93Ubuntu 21.042021-10-19
TalkBack9.1Chrome947.02021-10-19
VoiceOver (iOS)15.0.1Safari15.0.115.0.12021-10-19
VoiceOver (macOS)11.6Safari15.011.62021-10-19

History

  • 2019-02-08 Test created
  • 2019-07-27 Talkback results added
  • 2019-09-16 Add orca results
  • 2020-02-15 retest NVDA with crome and firefox
  • 2021-03-02 retest Narrator+Edge and Orca+Firefox
  • 2021-07-23 Added Narrator results for NVDA and JAWS, updated NVDA+Chrome results.
  • 2021-10-19 Updated all results and added test case for change of description

This test is found in the following features:

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