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area with aria-label attribute Screen reader compatibility

ARIA HTML WCAG
Sep 11, 2022

Expected Result: works in a screen reader

Actual Result: causes problems in 38 screen reader / browser combinations

WCAG Technique: ARIA6

Code used for this test:


		<img src='1234.png' alt='this is alt text' usemap='#area_aria_label_map1'>
		<map id='area_aria_label_map1' name='area_aria_label_map1'>
		<area aria-label='this is left aria label text' coords='0,0,100,100' href='left_arrow.htm' target='frame1'></area>
		<area aria-label='this is right aria label text' coords='200,0,300,100' href='right_arrow.htm' target='frame1'></area>
		</map>

Reliability Trend

This graph shows reliability over time for this code in NVDA, JAWS and Voiceover. Other screen readers don't have enough historical data yet to plot trends.

100%80%60%40%20%0%201455%201555%201655%201773%201880%201987%202093%202193%202293%

Change History

Last updated: September 11, 2022

  • Good NVDA with Chrome Stable - OK from NVDA 2018.4 to NVDA 2022.2
  • Bad NVDA with IE Causes problems in NVDA 2019.2
  • Better NVDA with FF Better - caused problems in NVDA 2016.2, but now OK in NVDA 2022.2
  • Good JAWS with Chrome Stable - OK from JAWS 2018.1811.2 to JAWS 2022.2207.25
  • Better JAWS with IE Better - caused problems in JAWS 13.0.852, but now OK in JAWS 2019.1912.1
  • Better JAWS with FF Better - caused problems in JAWS 2018.1811.2, but now OK in JAWS 2022.2207.25
  • Better VoiceOver macOS Better - caused problems in VoiceOver macOS 10.11, but now OK in VoiceOver macOS 12.5
  • Bad VoiceOver iOS Causes problems from VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 15.6
  • 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
OK NVDA 2022.2Chrome 105 Reading Link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text.
OK NVDA 2022.2Chrome 105 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link. This is right aria label text, link.
OK NVDA 2022.2FF102 Reading This is alt text, graphic, this is alt text, This is alt text, graphic link, this is left aria label text. This is alt text, graphic link, this is right aria label text.
OK NVDA 2022.2FF102 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic. This is right aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic
OK NVDA 2022.2Edge 105 Reading Link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
OK NVDA 2022.2Edge 105 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link. This is right aria label text, link.
OK NVDA 2021.2Chrome 94 Reading Link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text.
OK NVDA 2021.2Chrome 94 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link. This is right aria label text, link.
OK NVDA 2021.2FF91 Reading This is alt text, graphic, this is alt text, This is alt text, graphic link, this is left aria label text. This is alt text, graphic link, this is right aria label text.
OK NVDA 2021.2FF91 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic. This is right aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic
OK NVDA 2021.2Edge 94 Reading Link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
OK NVDA 2021.2Edge 94 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link. This is right aria label text, link.
OK NVDA 2020.2Chrome 86 Reading Link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text.
OK NVDA 2020.2Chrome 86 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link. This is right aria label text, link.
OK NVDA 2020.2FF78 Reading This is alt text, graphic, this is alt text, This is alt text, graphic link, this is left aria label text. This is alt text, graphic link, this is right aria label text.
OK NVDA 2020.2FF78 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic. This is right aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic
OK NVDA 2020.2Edge 92 Reading Link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
OK NVDA 2020.2Edge 92 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link. This is right aria label text, link.
OK NVDA 2019.2Chrome 79 Reading Link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text.
OK NVDA 2019.2Chrome 79 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link. This is right aria label text, link.
OK NVDA 2019.2FF68 Reading This is alt text, graphic, this is alt text, This is alt text, graphic link, this is left aria label text. This is alt text, graphic link, this is right aria label text.
OK NVDA 2019.2FF68 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic. This is right aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic
OK NVDA 2019.2IE11 Reading Graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
Fail NVDA 2019.2IE11 Tabbing Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs.
OK NVDA 2018.4Chrome 73 Reading Link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text.
OK NVDA 2018.4Chrome 73 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link. This is right aria label text, link.
OK NVDA 2018.4FF60 Reading Graphic, this is alt text, This is alt text, graphic link, this is left aria label text. This is alt text, graphic link, this is right aria label text.
OK NVDA 2018.4FF60 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic. This is right aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic
OK NVDA 2018.4IE11 Reading Graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
Fail NVDA 2018.4IE11 Tabbing Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs.
OK NVDA 2017.3FF60 Reading Graphic, this is alt text, Graphic link, this is left aria label text. Graphic link, this is right aria label text.
OK NVDA 2017.3FF60 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic. This is right aria label text, link, this is alt text, graphic
OK NVDA 2017.3IE11 Reading Graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
Fail NVDA 2017.3IE11 Tabbing Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs.
Fail NVDA 2016.2FF48 Reading No indication AREA links exist Graphic, this is alt text, this is alt text
OK NVDA 2016.2FF48 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link. This is right aria label text, link
OK NVDA 2016.2IE11 Reading Graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
Fail NVDA 2016.2IE11 Tabbing Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs.
Fail NVDA 2015.2FF40 Reading No indication AREA links exist Graphic, this is alt text, this is alt text
OK NVDA 2015.2FF40 Tabbing This is left aria label text, link. This is right aria label text, link
OK NVDA 2015.2IE11 Reading Graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
Fail NVDA 2015.2IE11 Tabbing Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs.
OK NVDA 2014.1FF28 Reading graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
Fail NVDA 2014.1FF28 Tabbing silent for second tab onto second area This is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text, graphic - all read for 1st link
OK NVDA 2014.1IE11 Reading graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
Fail NVDA 2014.1IE11 Tabbing Silence when tabbing to AREA links - no indication of image map role or name
OK NVDA 2012.1FF28 Reading graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
Fail NVDA 2012.1FF28 Tabbing silent for second tab onto second area This is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text, graphic - all read for 1st link
OK NVDA 2012.3IE11 Reading graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
Fail NVDA 2012.3IE11 Tabbing Silence when tabbing to AREA links - no indication of image map role or name
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25Chrome 105 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25Chrome 105 Tabbing This is alt text, image map, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. This is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25FF102 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25FF102 Tabbing This is alt text, graphic, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. This is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25Edge 105 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25Edge 105 Tabbing This is alt text, image map, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. This is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12Chrome 94 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12Chrome 94 Tabbing This is alt text, image map, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. This is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12FF91 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12FF91 Tabbing This is alt text, graphic, this is left aria label text, link. This is right aria label text, link.
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12Edge 94 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12Edge 94 Tabbing This is alt text, image map, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. This is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24Chrome 86 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24Chrome 86 Tabbing This is alt text, image map, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. This is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24FF78 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24FF78 Tabbing This is alt text, graphic, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. This is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24Edge 92 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24Edge 92 Tabbing This is alt text, image map, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. This is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1Chrome 79 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1Chrome 79 Tabbing This is alt text, image map read only, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. This is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1FF68 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1FF68 Tabbing This is alt text, graphic, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. This is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1IE11 Reading This is alt text, graphic. Image map link, this is left aria label text. Image map link, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1IE11 Tabbing This is left aria label text, image map link. This is right aria label text, image map link.
OK JAWS 2018.1811.2Chrome 73 Reading Image map link graphic, this is left aria label text. Image map link graphic, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2018.1811.2Chrome 73 Tabbing Tab, this is alt text, image map read only, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. Tab, this is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
Fail JAWS 2018.1811.2FF60 Reading ARIA label ignored and link URL gibberish read out. Image map link graphic, left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, right underline arrow.
OK JAWS 2018.1811.2FF60 Tabbing Tab, this is alt text, graphic, this is left aria label text, image map link graphic. Tab, this is right aria label text, image map link graphic.
OK JAWS 2018.1811.2IE11 Reading Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left aria label text. Image map link, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 2018.1811.2IE11 Tabbing Tab, this is left aria label text, image map link. Tab, this is right aria label text, image map link.
Fail JAWS 18.0.5038FF52 Reading No indication that areas are links Graphic, this is alt text. Graphic, this is left aria label text. Graphic, this is right aria label text
OK JAWS 18.0.5038FF52 Tabbing Tab, this is alt text, graphic, this is left aria label text, image map. Tab, this is right aria label text, image map.
OK JAWS 18.0.5038IE11 Reading Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left aria label text. Image map link, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 18.0.5038IE11 Tabbing Tab, this is left aria label text, image map link. Tab, this is right aria label text, image map link.
Fail JAWS 17.0.2619FF48 Reading No indication that areas are links Graphic, this is alt text. Graphic, this is left aria label text. Graphic, this is right aria label text
OK JAWS 17.0.2619FF48 Tabbing This is alt text, graphic, this is left aria label text, image map. This is right aria label text, image map.
OK JAWS 17.0.2619IE11 Reading Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left aria label text. Image map link, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 17.0.2619IE11 Tabbing This is left aria label text, image map link. This is right aria label text, image map link.
Fail JAWS 16.0.4350FF40 Reading No indication that areas are links Graphic, this is left aria label text, this is right aria label text. Graphic, this is left aria label text. Graphic, this is right aria label text
OK JAWS 16.0.4350FF41 Tabbing This is left aria label text, image map. This is right aria label text, image map.
OK JAWS 16.0.4350IE11 Reading Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left aria label text. Image map link, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 16.0.4350IE11 Tabbing This is left aria label text, image map link. This is right aria label text, image map link.
Fail JAWS 15.0.9023FF29 Reading no indication of links Graphic, this is left aria label text, this is right aria label text. Graphic, this is left aria label text. Graphic, this is right aria label text
Fail JAWS 15.0.9023FF29 Tabbing silence on second tab This is left aria label text, this is right aria label text, image map.
OK JAWS 15.0.9023IE11 Reading Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left aria label text. Image map link, this is right aria label text.
OK JAWS 15.0.9023IE11 Tabbing This is left aria label text, image map link. This is right aria label text, image map link.
Fail JAWS 14.0.9002FF29 Reading no indication of links graphic, this is left aria label text, this is right aria label text, graphic, this is left aria label text, graphic, this is right aria label text
Fail JAWS 14.0.9002FF29 Tabbing silence on second tab This is left aria label text, this is right aria label text, image map
OK JAWS 14.0.9002IE11 Reading graphic, this is alt text, image map link, this is left aria label text, image map link, this is right aria label text
OK JAWS 14.0.9002IE11 Tabbing This is left aria label text, image map link, this is right aria label text, image map link
Fail JAWS 13.0.852FF28 Reading no indication of image map links graphic, this is alt text
Fail JAWS 13.0.852FF28 Tabbing wrong alt read out when tabbing This is alt text, graphic. for first area, silence for second area
Fail JAWS 13.0.852IE11 Reading URLs read out instead of ARIA-LABEL graphic, this is alt text, image map link, test slash left underline arrow, image map link, test slash right underline arrow
Fail JAWS 13.0.852IE11 Tabbing URLs read out instead of ARIA-LABEL Test slash left underline arrow, image map link, test slash right underline arrow, image map link
OK WindowEyes 9.2IE11 Reading This is alt text. Link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK WindowEyes 9.2IE11 Tabbing Link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK WindowEyes 8.4IE11 Reading This is alt text, link, this is left aria label text, link, this is right aria label text
Fail WindowEyes 8.4IE11 Tabbing Silence when tabbing to AREA links - no indication of image map role or name
OK VoiceOver macOS 12.5Safari 15.6 Reading This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 12.5Safari 15.6 Tabbing Link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 11.5Safari 15.0 Reading This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 11.5Safari 15.0 Tabbing Link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.15Safari 14.1 Reading This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.15Safari 14.1 Tabbing Link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.14Safari 13.0 Reading This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.14Safari 13.0 Tabbing Link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.13Safari 12.1 Reading This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.13Safari 12.1 Tabbing Link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.12Safari 10.1.2 Reading This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.12Safari 10.1.2 Tabbing Link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.11Safari 9.1.2 Reading This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
Fail VoiceOver macOS 10.11Safari 9.1.2 Tabbing IMG ALT text read out instead of AREA ARIA-LABEL for first AREA link This is alt text, image map. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.10Safari 8.0.6 Reading This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.10Safari 8.0.6 Tabbing Link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.9Safari 7.0.3 Reading This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.9Safari 7.0.3 Tabbing Link, this is left aria label text. Link, this is right aria label text
Fail VoiceOver iOS 15.6Safari iOS 15.6TouchVery hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. This is alt text. (This is left ARIA label text, link. This is right ARIA label text, link.)
Fail VoiceOver iOS 14.7Safari iOS 14.7TouchVery hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. This is alt text. (This is left ARIA label text, link. This is right ARIA label text, link.)
Fail VoiceOver iOS 13.3Safari iOS 13.3TouchVery hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. This is alt text. (This is left ARIA label text, link. This is right ARIA label text, link.)
Fail VoiceOver iOS 12.4Safari iOS 12.4TouchVery hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. This is alt text. (This is left ARIA label text, link. This is right ARIA label text, link.)
Fail VoiceOver iOS 11.4Safari iOS 11.4TouchVery hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. This is alt text. (This is left ARIA label text, link. This is right ARIA label text, link.)
Fail VoiceOver iOS 10.3Safari iOS 10.3TouchVery hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. This is alt text.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 9.1Safari iOS 9.1TouchVery hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. This is alt text.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 8.4Safari iOS 8.4TouchVery hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. This is alt text.
Fail VoiceOver iOS 7.1Safari iOS 7.1TouchVery hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. This is alt text.
Fail Dolphin SR 15.05IE11 Reading No link labels read for AREA This is alt text. Link. Link.
Fail Dolphin SR 15.05IE11 Tabbing no link labels read Link. Link
Fail SaToGo 3.4.96.0IE11 Reading no link labels read link, link
Fail SaToGo 3.4.96.0IE11 Tabbing no link labels read link, link

SortSite rules: AccHtmlAreaNoAlt

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