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Type:
Bug
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Resolution: Fixed
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Priority:
Low
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Affects Version/s: 8.13.0
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Component/s: Accessibility
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Severity 3 - Minor
Issue Summary
On the "Merge pull request" page, the "A title is needed to merge" error message is not communicated to the users of a screen reader.
Note : Similar issue has been observed on "Create a Branch" page.
Steps to Reproduce
- Navigate to the above mentioned page.
- Navigate onto the above-mentioned input field with a screen reader and trigger the error message by tabbing away from the input field without entering any data.
- Observe the presence of an error message.
- Observe that this error message is not communicated.
Screenshot

Screen recording
For "Create a Branch" page
Screen Recording 2024-02-23 at 11.16.45 AM.mov![]()
Actual Results
When the "Commit message" input field is left empty and the user tab away from this input field, the "A title is needed to merge" error message gets dynamically added on the page. This error message does not use a live region. As a result, this error message is not communicated to the users of a screen reader. This might result in users missing the error message.
Expected Results
Error messages must be communicated to the users of assistive technologies. In this scenario, when an error message appears dynamically on the page, use an assertive live region to prompt assistive technologies to automatically identify it. Also, to work correctly, make sure that you have an empty container with the live region role, such as role=” alert” or aria-live=” assertive” on it already and then dynamically populate this container when the error is triggered.
Code Snippet
<label for="a1">Commit message</label> <input type="text" id="a1" aria-describedby="e1" ...> <span id="e1" role="alert">A title is needed to merge</span>
Workaround
Currently, there is no known workaround for this behaviour. A workaround will be added here when available
Environments
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021)
macOS Monterey Version 12.4
Chrome - Version 103.0.5060.134 (Official Build) (arm64)
Firefox- Version 93.0 (32-bit)
Safari- Version 15.5 (17613.2.7.1.8)
JAWS- Version 2022
NVDA- Version 2020.3
Voiceover - Version Latest