img with aria-describedby Screen reader compatibility

ARIA HTML
Dec 12, 2023

Expected Result: causes problems in some screen readers

Actual Result: causes problems in 71 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.

Note: aria-describedby maps to the accessible description of an object, which is different to the accessible name generated from alt / aria-label / aria-labelledby.

Code used for this test:


		<img src='1234.png' aria-describedby='img-aria-describedby-code'>
		<span id='img-aria-describedby-code'>this is an aria described by</span>
	

Change History

Last updated: December 12, 2023

  • Bad NVDA with Chrome Causes problems from NVDA 2018.4 to NVDA 2023.3
  • Bad NVDA with IE Causes problems from NVDA 2012.3 to NVDA 2019.2
  • Bad NVDA with FF Causes problems from NVDA 2012.1 to NVDA 2023.3
  • Bad JAWS with Chrome Causes problems from JAWS 2018.1811.2 to JAWS 2023.2311.34
  • Bad JAWS with IE Causes problems from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2019.1912.1
  • Bad JAWS with FF Causes problems from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2023.2311.34
  • Good VoiceOver macOS Stable - OK from VoiceOver macOS 10.9 to VoiceOver macOS 13.6
  • Bad VoiceOver iOS Causes problems from VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 16.6
  • Better WindowEyes with IE Better - caused problems in WindowEyes 8.4, but now OK in WindowEyes 9.2
  • Bad Dolphin with IE Causes problems in Dolphin SR 15.05
  • Bad SaToGo with IE Causes problems in SaToGo 3.4.96.0
Screen readerBrowserModeNotesWhat the user hears
Fail NVDA 2023.3Chrome 120 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2023.3FF 115 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2023.3Edge 120 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2022.2Chrome 105 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2022.2FF 102 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2022.2Edge 105 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2021.2Chrome 94 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2021.2FF 91 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2021.2Edge 94 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2020.2Chrome 86 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2020.2FF 78 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2020.2Edge 92 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2019.2Chrome 79 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2019.2FF 68 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2019.2IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2018.4Chrome 73 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2018.4FF 60 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2018.4IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2017.3FF 60 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2017.3IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2016.2FF 48 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2016.2IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2015.2FF 40 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2015.2IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2014.1FF 28 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2014.1IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2012.1FF 28 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail NVDA 2012.3IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2023.2311.34Chrome 120 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2023.2311.34FF 115 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2023.2311.34Edge 120 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2022.2207.25Chrome 105 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2022.2207.25FF 102 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2022.2207.25Edge 105 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2021.2107.12Chrome 94 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2021.2107.12FF 91 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2021.2107.12Edge 94 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2020.2008.24Chrome 86 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2020.2008.24FF 78 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2020.2008.24Edge 92 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2019.1912.1Chrome 79 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2019.1912.1FF 68 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2019.1912.1IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2018.1811.2Chrome 73 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2018.1811.2FF 60 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 2018.1811.2IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 18.0.5038FF 52 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 18.0.5038IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 17.0.2619FF 48 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 17.0.2619IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 16.0.4350FF 40 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 16.0.4350IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 15.0.9023FF 29 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 15.0.9023IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 14.0.9002FF 29 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 14.0.9002IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 13.0.852FF 29 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail JAWS 13.0.852IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
OK WindowEyes 9.2IE11 Reading Announces the aria-describedby text as image name, and then when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby. This is an aria-describedby.
Fail WindowEyes 8.4IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
OK VoiceOver macOS 13.6Safari 16.6 Reading Announces the aria-describedby text as image name, and then when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby, image. This is an aria-describedby
OK VoiceOver macOS 12.5Safari 15.6 Reading Announces the aria-describedby text as image name, and then when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby, image. This is an aria-describedby
OK VoiceOver macOS 11.5Safari 15.0 Reading Announces the aria-describedby text as image name, and then when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby, image. This is an aria-describedby
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.15Safari 14.1 Reading Announces the aria-describedby text as image name, and then when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby, image. This is an aria-describedby
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.14Safari 13.0 Reading Announces the aria-describedby text as image name, and then when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby, image. This is an aria-describedby
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.13Safari 12.1 Reading Announces the aria-describedby text as image name, and then when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby, image. This is an aria-describedby
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.12Safari 10.1.2 Reading Announces the aria-describedby text as image name, and then when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby, image. This is an aria-describedby
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.11Safari 9.1.2 Reading Announces the aria-describedby text as image name, and then when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby, image. This is an aria-describedby
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.10Safari 9.0.1 Reading Announces the aria-describedby text as image name, and then when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby, image. This is an aria-describedby
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.9Safari 7.0.3 Reading Announces the aria-describedby text as image name, and then when it appears in reading order This is an aria described by, image. This is an aria-describedby
Fail VoiceOver iOS 16.6Safari iOS 16.6TouchReads out image filename, then aria-describedby. One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, image, this is an aria described by.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 15.6Safari iOS 15.6TouchReads out image filename, then aria-describedby. One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, image, this is an aria described by.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 14.7Safari iOS 14.7TouchReads out image filename, then aria-describedby. One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, image, this is an aria described by.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 13.3Safari iOS 13.3TouchReads out image filename, then aria-describedby. One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, image, this is an aria described by.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 12.4Safari iOS 12.4TouchReads out image filename, then aria-describedby. One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, image, this is an aria described by.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 11.4Safari iOS 11.4TouchReads out image filename, then aria-describedby. One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, image, this is an aria described by.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 10.3Safari iOS 10.3TouchReads out image filename, then aria-describedby. One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, image, this is an aria described by.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 9.1Safari iOS 9.1TouchReads out image filename, then aria-describedby. One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, image. This is an aria described by.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 8.4Safari iOS 8.4TouchReads out image filename, then aria-describedby. One thousand two hundred and thirty four PNG, image. This is an aria described by.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 7.1Safari iOS 7.1TouchReads out image filename, then aria-describedby. One thousand two hundred and thirty four, image. This is an aria described by.
Fail Dolphin SR 15.05IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby
Fail SaToGo 3.4.96.0IE11 Reading Image ignored, but announces the aria-describedby text when it appears in reading order This is an aria-describedby

SortSite rules: AccHtmlImgNoAlt

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