- Success Criterion 1.3.1
- Conformance level A
Out-of-Stock Status Shown Only Visually, Never Announced
1.3.1 — Info and Relationships
Scenario
Setting
A coworking-space booking app
What’s wrong
Availability states shown only visually — an option greyed out or struck through as 'out of stock', or stock info like '4 left' — are never announced, so screen reader users pick unavailable options or miss urgency.
Example
A tester reviewing a coworking-space booking app finds this: availability states shown only visually — an option greyed out or struck through as 'out of stock', or stock info like '4 left' — are never announced, so screen reader users pick unavailable options or miss urgency.
Why it matters
Screen-reader, braille, and reading-tool users who depend on coded structure rather than visual layout. The practical effect on a coworking-space booking app: they can't navigate the content by its real structure.
How to test
Focus an option marked 'out of stock' or showing '4 left' visually: a screen reader should announce that state too — if it's conveyed by styling alone (greyed out, strikethrough), it fails.
How to fix
Announce availability in the accessible name/state (e.g., 'Size M, out of stock') and update it dynamically.
Outcome
That one change on a coworking-space booking app means they understand how the page is organized.
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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