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How to test the AccName algorithm dynamically using AccName Prototype

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From: Bryan Garaventa
Date: Feb 22, 2019 12:20PM

Hi,
Since this comes up every now and again, usually with questions about what is or not expected in the AccName computation, I wanted to pass along the following live utility that helps to resolve this confusion, available at
https://whatsock.github.io/w3c-alternative-text-computation/Editable%20Live%20Input%20AccName%20Test.html

This works by pasting whatever code you want to test into the editable field at the end of the page and clicking the Paste and Test button. You need to make sure that the root node that you want to compute the Name and Description properties for includes id="test" to identify which element is meant to be designated as the root node in accordance with the AccName spec.

This also includes the feature where, if you paste focusable elements like links and buttons or form fields into this and render them using the Paste and Test button, you can use Tab and Shift+Tab to move focus between them and the AccName computation will automatically be displayed for the currently focusable element no matter what the ID is set to.

The live algorithm being used here is the same one that is run from the W3C test case wiki to validate expected results, at
https://www.w3.org/wiki/AccName_1.1_Testable_Statements

As I continue working on edits for AccName 1.2, I will ensure to keep this live algorithm up to date with the latest updates as we hammer out the details of what AccName is meant to convey.
http://www.w3.org/TR/accname-1.1/

Visual ARIA, as referenced within the same page, also includes the same AccName algorithm, both of which will always be synchronized.

Since crowd sourcing is one of the most effective ways of identifying bugs, the more people who use this the better to make sure we haven't missed anything. Please pass along any issues and if found as part of the AccName Prototype, file them against the archive for this at
https://github.com/WhatSock/w3c-alternative-text-computation
Otherwise, if uncertain, file them against the AccName spec at
https://github.com/w3c/accname/
(Please review the currently open issues to be certain the issue hasn't already been reported for the 1.2 milestone)

All the best,
Bryan


Bryan Garaventa
Principal Accessibility Architect
Level Access, Inc.
<EMAIL REMOVED>
415.624.2709 (o)
www.LevelAccess.com