ACCESSIBLE CONTENT: How to Alert Screen Reader Users About Web Page Changes

Cartoon of human hand holding a megaphone reaching out from a cellphone screen

According to the WCAG 2.1 Level AA Guidelines (4.1.3 – Status Messages), folks who use screen readers need to be notified when changes occur on a web page.

aria-live Roles to the Rescue

Add aria-live roles to HTML page code so assistive technology users are notified when something on the page changes.

Example: Screen reader users who are visually-impaired can’t see changes or have trouble perceiving visible status messages on a page, such as shopping cart updates. Their assistive technology devices should announce the status message that was visibly added to the page.

Should you be polite or assertive?

There are different types of aria-live values you can use to announce changes.

  • aria-live=”polite”: Announces the change in a “polite” manner, like after a screen reader is done reading a sentence.
  • aria-live=”assertive”: Announces the change immediately. This should be used only if the change on the page is critical or imperative.

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WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY TESTING & REMEDIATION SERVICES: Mary Gillen is an experienced Website Accessibility Compliance Auditor and Remediator. She can test your website to determine if it meets accessibility standards:

WCAG 2.1: 312 checkpoints covering A, AA and AAA W3 accessibility guidelines
Section 508: 15 US federal guidelines covered by 59 accessibility checkpoints

Find out more about Mary Gillen’s Accessibility Testing & Remediation Services: Websites, PDFs, Office Docs & Videos

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ONLINE TOOL: Create an Accessibility Statement

Colorful blocks spelling out the word attention

Accessibility statements are important for several reasons:

  • Show your users that you care about accessibility and about them
  • Provide them with information about the accessibility of your content
  • Demonstrate commitment to accessibility, and to social responsibility

The W3C offers an online tool that can help you create an accessibility statement for your own website, mobile application, or other digital content. You can download the statement you created, and further customize, style, and brand it.

Click here to generate an accessibility statement

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WEBSITE ACCESSIBILITY TESTING & REMEDIATION SERVICES: Mary Gillen is an experienced Website Accessibility Compliance Auditor and Remediator. She can test your website to determine if it meets accessibility standards:

WCAG 2.1: 312 checkpoints covering A, AA and AAA W3 accessibility guidelines
Section 508: 15 US federal guidelines covered by 59 accessibility checkpoints

Find out more about Mary Gillen’s Accessibility Testing & Remediation Services: Websites, PDFs, Office Docs & Videos

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