Forum Discussion
Custom Blocks Accessibility
Dear colleagues,
I have tested my custom blocks (basically a text box with an image representaing a character telling something in speechbubble) with NVDA screen reader and it refuses to read the text. Althoug I have given alt-text to the image, that information does not seem to be accesible to NVDA. Funny enough some other blocks work.
Funny enough some other blocks work.
Working custom block, where the text is read.If anyone has hints on how to systemtically render custom block text and alt-text for images in custom block accessible to screen readers (NVDA) - I am a taker of this advice. Many thanks.
Hi StefanKM,
I appreciate you sharing both examples. Having one custom block read as expected while another is skipped makes it harder to know what setup to use consistently.
Custom blocks include accessibility tools for focus order and alt text, though they’re still being improved. In general, text should be available to screen readers, including text inside shapes. Meaningful images need alternative text, and the Focus order panel lets you set the screen reader order separately from the visual layout. Our custom-block accessibility guide explains these settings.
A good starting point is to keep the speech bubble text as editable text, add descriptive alt text to meaningful character images, and arrange the objects in a logical focus order. When testing static content with NVDA, use Browse mode and the arrow keys rather than relying on Tab alone, since Tab moves through interactive elements.
To better understand why your two examples behave differently, could you confirm a few details?
- In the block that isn’t read, is the visible text a separate text object, text inside a shape, or part of an image?
- Could you share screenshots of the Focus order panel for both blocks, including the image alt text and any groups?
- How are you navigating with NVDA, and are you testing in Preview or published output?
- Which browser and NVDA version are you using?
These details will help us compare the two setups and determine whether the unread content needs a closer investigation.
Hi JMManalili,
here are the focus order screen shots of the two custom blocks. You can acces the examples under the EU server.
https://share.eu.articulate.com/nJITmcuGjACp3l2OMSxeP
This one doesnt't read.
This one does.Hi StefanKM
From your screenshot, it looks like you have overridden the visible text with an alternative text. This is why the visible text is never announced by a screen reader. It is effectively replaced by the alternative you set ( the "In the next lesson, you'll explore..."). Try removing the alternative text and let us know how it goes.
Cheers!
Marvie
