Legend Test

The following tests explore how screen readers read legends in different scenarios:

Test 1: No Legend

Results

  • JAWS 7: "Label Edit"
  • JAWS 9: "Label Edit"
  • WE 6: "Label Editbox"

Test 2: Single Legend

Legend

Results

  • JAWS 7: "Legend Label Edit"
  • JAWS 9: "Legend Label Edit" ("Label Edit" in form field list)
  • WE 6: "Label Editbox"

Test 3: Multiple Legends

Legend 1 Legend 2 Legend 3

Results

  • JAWS 7: "Legend 3 Label Edit" ("Legend 1 Label Edit" in virtual mode/form field list)
  • JAWS 9: "Legend 3 Label Edit" ("Label Edit" in form field list)
  • WE 6: "Label Editbox"

Test 4: Nested Fieldsets

Outer Legend
Inner Legend

Results

  • JAWS 7: "Outer Legend Label Edit; Inner Legend Label Edit; Label Edit" (Outer, Inner, Outer in virtual mode/form field list)
  • JAWS 9: "Outer Legend Label Edit; Inner Legend Label Edit; Inner Legend Label Edit" (all Label Edit in form field list)
  • WE 6: "Label Editbox; Label Editbox; Label Editbox"

Conclusions

Legends can be useful for JAWS users, although it appears to be safest to stick to the basics (single legend, no nested fieldsets).

Window-Eyes doesn't read legends at all -- this seems to be a significant bug with that screen reader.

MSF&W Accessibility Tests