Hi,
We implement sort function for radgrid column, however, when we used Jaws to test screen reader functionality, we found that when a screen reader user click the sortable column header links to sort the data in the table, there is no audible cue that the data has been sorted. JAWS merely announces "Enter" to correspond with the command that the screen reader user pressed and then is silent. Screen reader users have no way of knowing that the data in the table has been successfully sorted.
Below is our 508 team opinion and suggestion:
Is it doable or is there any other solution to address this issue?
Thanks,
Wei
We implement sort function for radgrid column, however, when we used Jaws to test screen reader functionality, we found that when a screen reader user click the sortable column header links to sort the data in the table, there is no audible cue that the data has been sorted. JAWS merely announces "Enter" to correspond with the command that the screen reader user pressed and then is silent. Screen reader users have no way of knowing that the data in the table has been successfully sorted.
Below is our 508 team opinion and suggestion:
"For more robust functionality, like sortable data tables,
it's necessary to assess if a screen reader user can perceive, operate and
understand the sorting. In other words, users should perceive that a sort CAN be
performed, operate the sort, and understand what (if any) sort HAS been
performed.
Implement the following changes to address the issues
with the sortable column links.
1. Use three separate images to indicate the status of
the sortable column header:
a. Column not sorted (image displayed by default when
page loads OR if a different column is sorted). The alt text for this image
should indicate how the data will be sorted the first time the user selects the
link - e.g. alt="Choose to Sort Ascending" or alt="Choose to Sort
Descending".
b. Column sorted ascending. The alt text for this image
should be alt="Currently Sorted Ascending Choose to Sort
Descending".
c. Column sorted descending. The alt text for this image
should be alt="Current Sorted Descending Choose to Sort Ascending".
2. Group the column heading text and image in the same
<a> tag so they are both read together.
3. Because the <th> cell will not simply contain
the visual text displayed as the column heading, additional steps need to be
taken to provide abbreviated column header text to be announced to the screen
reader user as they navigate the data table using table reading commands. To do
this define an abbr attribute within each <th> tag. The abbr attribute
text for each TH cell should just be the visible heading text at the top of the
column (e.g. "Select", "State", "County", etc.)"
Is it doable or is there any other solution to address this issue?
Thanks,
Wei