• Success Criterion 1.3.2
  • Conformance level A

Separate Content Items Announced as One Run-On Block

1.3.2 — Meaningful Sequence

Scenario

Setting

A childcare-booking service's scheduling page

What’s wrong

Distinct content items run together into one announcement because structural separation is missing.

Example 

<div class="time-slots">
  <span class="slot">9:00 AM</span><span class="slot">10:00 AM</span><span class="slot">11:00 AM</span>
</div>

Why it matters

A parent using a screen reader hears one continuous run of times and cannot tell there are three separate, bookable slots to choose from.

How to test

Read distinct items (e.g., separate list entries or product cards) with a screen reader: if they're announced run together as one block with no separation, it fails.

How to fix

Give each option real structure, a list item and a button, so assistive tech announces the count and lets people select one at a time.

<ul class="time-slots">
  <li><button>9:00 AM</button></li>
  <li><button>10:00 AM</button></li>
  <li><button>11:00 AM</button></li>
</ul>

Outcome

A parent using a screen reader hears "list of 3 items" and can select the 10:00 AM slot directly.

Who is affected

Screen reader users lose all indication that the times are distinct, individually selectable options rather than one block of text.

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