Screen reader compatibility of HTML elements and their attributes

Note: This post is older than two years. It may still be totally valid, but things change and technology moves fast. Code based posts may be especially prone to changes...

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We know about browser inconsistencies but we must be aware of screen-reader inconsistencies as well. Additional burden that should be understood.

Not all HTML elements are supported in all screen-readers.

I’ve encountered a very useful online resource from PowerMapper that includes a extensive table of common HTML elements with common attributes (normal and ARIA related) and this should be taken into consideration when we are using them in our projects.

It provides an compatibility matrix for NVDA (for IE, FF and Chrome), JAWS (IE, FF, Chrome) and VoiceOver (Max and iOS).

HTML elements Screen reader compatibility overview by PowerMapper (opens in new window)

Author: Bogdan Cerovac

I am IAAP certified Web Accessibility Specialist (from 2020) and was Google certified Mobile Web Specialist.

Work as digital agency co-owner web developer and accessibility lead.

Sole entrepreneur behind IDEA-lab Cerovac (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility lab) after work. Check out my Accessibility Services if you want me to help your with digital accessibility.

Also head of the expert council at Institute for Digital Accessibility A11Y.si (in Slovenian).

Living and working in Norway (🇳🇴), originally from Slovenia (🇸🇮), loves exploring the globe (🌐).

Nurturing the web from 1999, this blog from 2019.

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