- Success Criterion 1.3.1
- Conformance level A
Field Instructions Never Linked to the Field They Explain
1.3.1 — Info and Relationships
Scenario
Setting
An e-book reader's library page
What’s wrong
Instruction text displayed near fields (e.g., 'Enter the 6-digit code from your SMS') is not programmatically linked to those fields, so a screen reader user focused on the field never hears the instruction.
Example
On an e-book reader's library page: instruction text displayed near fields (e.g., 'Enter the 6-digit code from your SMS') is not programmatically linked to those fields, so a screen reader user focused on the field never hears the instruction.
Why it matters
Screen-reader, braille, and reading-tool users who depend on coded structure rather than visual layout. On an e-book reader's library page specifically, they can't tell how the page is organized.
How to test
Focus a field that has instruction text displayed nearby (e.g., 'Enter the 6-digit code'): a screen reader should announce it too — if aria-describedby isn't wired, it won't.
How to fix
Link the instruction to its field(s) with aria-describedby (code that ties help or error text to a field) so it's read on focus.
Outcome
Fixed, a visitor to an e-book reader's library page can move through the content with confidence.
Who is affected
Screen-reader, braille, and reading-tool users who depend on coded structure rather than visual layout.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
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