USWDS - Memorable date: Input formatting requirements are unclear to users of screen readers.

[jaclinec]

Summary

The memorable date hint messaging announced to screen readers is overly described and unclear:

1. It announces the same hint for each field ("For example, January 19 2000" is announced when the user lands on the month field, the day field, and the year field).
2. It doesn’t describe the digits/format needed for inputs, so users are left guessing what to type.

Observations

2 participants (using JAWS and NVDA) experienced friction with understanding the formatting required for the memorable date inputs because the hint announced was not explicit on what is expected for each input and digit requirements. See video clips for memorable date version 1. 🔒

The hint message announced in another version of memorable date that we tested performed much better since the hints were specific to the formatting expectations for each input. See video clips for memorable date version 2 🔒

Affected user groups

• Screen reader users

Research method

Usability testing with 8 participants with disabilities:

• 5 visually impaired (3 blind, 2 low vision/legally blind (1 with nystagmus))
• 1 motor impairment
• 1 ADHD
• 1 anxiety and depression

Screen reader software participants used: JAWS, NVDA, and VoiceOver

[Link to public findings report forthcoming...here is the internal Zebra findings report] 🔒

Next steps

Change the hint message announced to screen readers to be relevant to each input and clear on digit requirements.