aria-description: Newish attribute is not supported

[tmcconechy]

Product: axe-core

Expectation:
Using axe jest plugin and and axe scanner in chrome we found out that using aria-description is reported as invalid. But it is in fact a newish valid property.

https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/Accessibility/ARIA/Annotations#aria_annotations_features
facebook/react#21035

Actual:
"Invalid ARIA attribute name: aria-description" is reported

Motivation:
Would like to use this new attribute.

axe-core version: 4.12.2
axe-webdriver, extension or other integration version:  4.12.2

[straker]

Thanks for the issue. Last we checked aria-description wasn't well supported in most screen readers and browser combinations. However if you wan't to support it you can use axe.configure to allow support of them.

[tmcconechy]

OK you might have a point about it maybe not working everywhere. But was copying what is used here http://whatsock.com/Templates/Comboboxes/Native%20Inputs,%20Editable%20and%20Readonly/index.htm and it seems to work well.

How would i use axe.configure in the chrome extension?

[straker]

In the chrome extension you'll have to be logged into your deqeue account and then you'll get the functionality to configure axe. Otherwise you'd have to use axe-core directly (the JS code) to be able to do it.

[WilcoFiers]

You should use the title attribute.

[tmcconechy]

The title attribute is used for the tooltip. Im sort of trying to use multiple labels/attached information

[neaumusic]

My current thinking is that developers should add aria-description even if screen readers and their versions aren't caught up to the specification. TLDR I think throwing an error prevents good context from reaching users who would appreciate it -- the developer chooses between deploying code with or without errors, potentially side-lining end users.

We use the axe-core Chrome Extension and Apple's VoiceOver, which does read the aria-description. Wondering if there could be some sort of support matrix or configuration within the extension similar to caniuse

[tmcconechy]

I agree @neaumusic - it does work and it does solve our use case. So why not validate against it. Its not incorrect its just newer

[straker]

The main problem is that since not all browsers / assistive technologies support aria-description, there will be users that do not get the information. Since we can't say how important that information may be, we can't just allow it to pass. For example, with the following code:

<input type="password" aria-label="password" aria-description="Password requirements: at least 8 characters"/>

• VoiceOver / Safari - does not announce the aria-description
• JAWS / IE11 - does not announce the aria-description
• JAWS / Edge - Announces the aria-description
• NVDA / FireFox - Announces the aria-description
• Talkback / Chrome (Android) - Announces the aria-description

This means that using IE11 and Safari, you'd miss the critical information provided by the description. Best we can do is mark it as Needs Review. Right now it looks like it's marked as a violation, so let me see if we have enough support to turn it on with Needs Review.

[WilcoFiers]

The ARIA working group hasn't even put aria-description out in a public working draft yet. It is experimental at best.

[woody-li]

Safari TP 153 supports aria-description.
https://developer.apple.com/safari/technology-preview/release-notes/
WebKit/WebKit@7c414e7

[straker]

@woody-li Thanks for letting us know. We'll add this to the 4.6 milestone.

[WilcoFiers]

I wrote a proposal on how to address both this, and the aria-braille* props here:
#3899 (comment)

The gist is, yeah we should add them, but we'll need a rule that ensures these aren't used on element without a role or accessible name.

[padmavemulapati]

Validated with the latest axe-core-develop branch code base,
aria-valid-attr is now allowing the attributes aria-braillelabel and aria-brailleroledescription with these two attributes its passing.

where as in the earlier versions if we keep - aria-braillelabel, aria-brailleroledescription and aria-description attributess