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fieldset containing no controls Screen reader compatibility

HTML
Nov 26, 2024

Expected Result: causes problems in some screen readers

Actual Result: causes problems in 35 screen reader / browser combinations

For expected failures, the results show which AT combos the failures affect. Results are recorded from the user's viewpoint, so describe the user impact of authoring errors.

Code used for this test:


		<fieldset>
			<legend>Legend but no controls</legend>
		</fieldset>

Change History

Last updated: November 26, 2024

  • NVDA with Chrome Causes problems in NVDA 2024.4
  • NVDA with IE Stable - OK from NVDA 2014.1 to NVDA 2019.2
  • NVDA with FF Causes problems in NVDA 2024.4
  • JAWS with Chrome Better - caused problems in JAWS 2018.1811.2, but now OK in JAWS 2024.2409.2
  • JAWS with IE Causes problems in JAWS 2019.1912.1
  • JAWS with FF Better - caused problems in JAWS 2018.1811.2, but now OK in JAWS 2024.2409.2
  • VoiceOver macOS Causes problems in VoiceOver macOS 14.6
  • VoiceOver iOS Causes problems in VoiceOver iOS 17.7
  • WindowEyes with IE Better - caused problems in WindowEyes 8.4, but now OK in WindowEyes 9.2
  • Dolphin with IE OK in Dolphin SR 15.05
  • SaToGo with IE OK in SaToGo 3.4.96.0
Screen readerBrowserModeNotesWhat the user hears
NVDA 2024.4Chrome 131 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping.
NVDA 2024.4Chrome 131 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2024.4FF 128 Reading Empty group voiced Legend but no controls grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping.
NVDA 2024.4FF 128 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2024.4Edge 131 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping
NVDA 2024.4Edge 131 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2023.3Chrome 120 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping.
NVDA 2023.3Chrome 120 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2023.3FF 115 Reading Empty group voiced Legend but no controls grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping.
NVDA 2023.3FF 115 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2023.3Edge 120 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping
NVDA 2023.3Edge 120 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2022.2Chrome 105 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping.
NVDA 2022.2Chrome 105 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2022.2FF 102 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping.
NVDA 2022.2FF 102 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2022.2Edge 105 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping
NVDA 2022.2Edge 105 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2021.2Chrome 94 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping.
NVDA 2021.2Chrome 94 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2021.2FF 91 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping.
NVDA 2021.2FF 91 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2021.2Edge 94 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping
NVDA 2021.2Edge 94 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2020.2Chrome 86 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping.
NVDA 2020.2Chrome 86 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2020.2FF 78 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping.
NVDA 2020.2FF 78 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2020.2Edge 92 Reading Empty group voiced Grouping, legend but no controls. Out of grouping
NVDA 2020.2Edge 92 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2019.2Chrome 79 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2019.2Chrome 79 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2019.2FF 68 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2019.2FF 68 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2019.2IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2019.2IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2018.4Chrome 73 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2018.4Chrome 73 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2018.4FF 60 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2018.4FF 60 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2018.4IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2018.4IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2017.3FF 60 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2017.3FF 60 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2017.3IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2017.3IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2016.2FF 48 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2016.2FF 48 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2016.2IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2016.2IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2015.2FF 40 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2015.2FF 40 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2015.2IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2015.2IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2014.1FF 28 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2014.1FF 28 Tabbing Ignored as expected
NVDA 2014.1IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
NVDA 2014.1IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2024.2409.2Chrome 131 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2024.2409.2Chrome 131 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2024.2409.2FF 128 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2024.2409.2FF 128 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2024.2409.2Edge 131 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2024.2409.2Edge 131 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2023.2311.34Chrome 120 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2023.2311.34Chrome 120 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2023.2311.34FF 115 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2023.2311.34FF 115 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2023.2311.34Edge 120 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2023.2311.34Edge 120 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2022.2207.25Chrome 105 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2022.2207.25Chrome 105 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2022.2207.25FF 102 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2022.2207.25FF 102 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2022.2207.25Edge 105 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2022.2207.25Edge 105 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2021.2107.12Chrome 94 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2021.2107.12Chrome 94 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2021.2107.12FF 91 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2021.2107.12FF 91 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2021.2107.12Edge 94 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2021.2107.12Edge 94 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2020.2008.24Chrome 86 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2020.2008.24Chrome 86 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2020.2008.24FF 78 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2020.2008.24FF 78 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2020.2008.24Edge 92 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2020.2008.24Edge 92 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2019.1912.1Chrome 79 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2019.1912.1Chrome 79 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2019.1912.1FF 68 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 2019.1912.1FF 68 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2019.1912.1IE11 Reading Ignored - read next skips over legend
JAWS 2019.1912.1IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2018.1811.2Chrome 73 Reading Ignored - read next skips over legend
JAWS 2018.1811.2Chrome 73 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2018.1811.2FF 60 Reading Ignored - read next skips over legend
JAWS 2018.1811.2FF 60 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 2018.1811.2IE11 Reading Ignored - read next skips over legend
JAWS 2018.1811.2IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 18.0.5038FF 52 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 18.0.5038FF 52 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 18.0.5038IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 18.0.5038IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 17.0.2619FF 48 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 17.0.2619FF 48 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 17.0.2619IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 17.0.2619IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 16.0.4350FF 40 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 16.0.4350FF 40 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 16.0.4350IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 16.0.4350IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 15.0.9023FF 29 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 15.0.9023FF 29 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 15.0.9023IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 15.0.9023IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 14.0.9002FF 29 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 14.0.9002FF 29 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 14.0.9002IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 14.0.9002IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 13.0.852FF 29 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 13.0.852FF 29 Tabbing Ignored as expected
JAWS 13.0.852IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
JAWS 13.0.852IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
WindowEyes 9.2IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
WindowEyes 9.2IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
WindowEyes 8.4IE11 Reading Ignored - read next skips over legend
WindowEyes 8.4IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver macOS 14.6Safari 17.6 Reading Empty group voiced Legend but no controls, group. Legend but no controls
VoiceOver macOS 14.6Safari 17.6 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver macOS 13.6Safari 16.6 Reading Empty group voiced Legend but no controls, group. Legend but no controls
VoiceOver macOS 13.6Safari 16.6 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver macOS 12.5Safari 15.6 Reading Empty group voiced Legend but no controls, group. Legend but no controls
VoiceOver macOS 12.5Safari 15.6 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver macOS 11.5Safari 15.0 Reading Empty group voiced Legend but no controls, empty group.
VoiceOver macOS 11.5Safari 15.0 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver macOS 10.15Safari 14.1 Reading Empty group voiced Legend but no controls, empty group.
VoiceOver macOS 10.15Safari 14.1 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver macOS 10.14Safari 13.0 Reading Empty group voiced Legend but no controls, group. Legend but no controls. End of, legend but no controls, group
VoiceOver macOS 10.14Safari 13.0 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver macOS 10.13Safari 12.1 Reading Empty group voiced Legend but no controls, group. Legend but no controls. End of, legend but no controls, group
VoiceOver macOS 10.13Safari 12.1 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver macOS 10.12Safari 10.1.2 Reading Legend but no controls, group
VoiceOver macOS 10.12Safari 10.1.2 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver macOS 10.11Safari 9.1.2 Reading Legend but no controls, group
VoiceOver macOS 10.11Safari 9.1.2 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver macOS 10.10Safari 8.0.6 Reading Ignored - read next skips over legend
VoiceOver macOS 10.10Safari 8.0.6 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver macOS 10.9Safari 7.0.3 Reading Legend but no controls
VoiceOver macOS 10.9Safari 7.0.3 Tabbing Ignored as expected
VoiceOver iOS 17.7Safari iOS 17.7TouchForm announced without any form controls. Legend but no controls, form start
VoiceOver iOS 16.6Safari iOS 16.6TouchForm announced without any form controls. Legend but no controls, end, legend but no controls, end, form start
VoiceOver iOS 15.6Safari iOS 15.6TouchForm announced without any form controls. Legend but no controls, end, legend but no controls, end, form start
VoiceOver iOS 14.7Safari iOS 14.7TouchForm announced without any form controls. Legend but no controls, end, legend but no controls, end, form start
VoiceOver iOS 13.3Safari iOS 13.3TouchForm announced without any form controls. Legend but no controls, end, legend but no controls form start
VoiceOver iOS 12.4Safari iOS 12.4TouchForm announced without any form controls. Legend but no controls, end, legend but no controls form start
VoiceOver iOS 11.4Safari iOS 11.4Touch Legend but no controls
VoiceOver iOS 10.3Safari iOS 10.3Touch Legend but no controls
VoiceOver iOS 9.1Safari iOS 9.1Touch Legend but no controls
VoiceOver iOS 8.4Safari iOS 8.4TouchIgnored - read next skips over legend
VoiceOver iOS 7.1Safari iOS 7.1Touch Legend but no controls
Dolphin SR 15.05IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
Dolphin SR 15.05IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected
SaToGo 3.4.96.0IE11 Reading Legend but no controls
SaToGo 3.4.96.0IE11 Tabbing Ignored as expected

SortSite rules: AccWcag2-F43-4

Test notes

All tests were carried out with screen reader factory settings. JAWS in particular has a wide variety of settings controlling exactly what gets spoken.

Screen readers allow users to interact in different modes, and can produce very different results in each mode. The modes used in these tests are:

  • Reading Content read using the “read next” command in a screen reader
  • Tabbing Content read using the “tab” key in a screen reader
  • Heading Content read using the “next heading” key in a screen reader
  • Touch Content read when touching an area of screen on a mobile device

In the “What the user hears” column:

  • Commas represent short pauses in screen reader voicing
  • Full Stops represent places where voicing stops, and the “read next” or “tab” or “next heading” command is pressed again
  • Ellipsis … represent a long pause in voicing
  • (Brackets) represent voicing that requires a keystroke to hear