USWDS - Table: Scrollable tables are not fully accessible with screen readers

[amyleadem]

Summary

From @amycole501:
When using JAWS and NVDA I'm unable to get the left and right arrow keys to move the table left or right to read all the data. I can use a keyboard to access the scroll bar when NOT using assistive technology.

When in JAWS or NVDA mode, however, the arrow keys don't move the table left or right. The table data is still audible offscreen. It's possible the issue would only affect AT users who are sighted or AT users who have some vision and want to see which data cell the focus is on.

In any event we do need to ensure that the scroll functionality is working on the keyboard when using JAWS and NVDA.

[amycole501]

When using JAWS and NVDA I'm unable to get the left and right arrow keys to move the table left or right to read all the data. I can use a keyboard to access the scroll bar when NOT using assistive technology.

When in JAWS or NVDA mode, however, the arrow keys don't move the table left or right. The table data is still audible offscreen. It's possible the issue would only affect AT users who are sighted or AT users who have some vision and want to see which data cell the focus is on.

In any event we do need to ensure that the scroll functionality is working on the keyboard when using JAWS and NVDA.

[brunerae]

Need to confirm whether this is a known issue with the screen readers or whether its something on our end.

[brunerae]

@uswds/a11y - needs confirmation! Thank you!

[amycole501]

Two of us tested using NVDA and the arrow keys work. This appears to be an issue with JAWS.

One workaround is for the user to turn the virtual cursor and do some keyboard commands to get it to work. All that to say it's probable this is limited to JAWS and appears it may be a bug as reported here FreedomScientific/standards-support#607

I don't think at this point we should not do further work on this as the table code doesn't seem to need modification.