1847078 - About dialog version number and details are not read by screen reader on load

Status: RESOLVED FIXED

(Thunderbird :: Disability Access, defect, P2)

Description

[Elizabeth Gray [:elizabeth]]

When the about dialog is opened, in the past, screen readers read the version number and more details about Thunderbird. In 115, the details are not read. This is a regression from 102.

This bug addresses restoring 115 to 102 functionality.

Original report:

(In reply to Ali Savas from bug 1835530 comment #0)

"About" dialog is not readable or very cumbersome for screen readers

For example, if I want to know which version of Thunderbird I am currently using, I have to navigate in the "About" dialog of Thunderbird with the object navigation to find out the version. In previous versions up to 102, at least, the current version was announced as soon as the "About" dialog appeared.

Steps to reproduce

• In Thunderbird Daily, for example, go to "Help" and then to "About Daily".
• Wait a second or two to hear if the screen reader announces the current version number.
• Use the TAB key to navigate through the dialog box.

Result

After invoking the "About Daily" dialog, the screen reader does not automatically announce which version of Thunderbird is currently in use. Navigating through the dialog box with TAB also does not bring success.

Expected

The version number should be announced automatically by the screen reader, as in previous Thunderbird versions (up to 102.X). It would be better if the version information could be made focusable by keyboard.

Workaround

To find out which version is currently running, the object navigation of the respective screen reader must be used. Unfortunately, this is not intuitive for inexperienced users.

Comment 1

[Elizabeth Gray [:elizabeth]]

Attachment: Bug 1847078 - Restore about dialog description for screen readers. r=#thunderbird-front-end-reviewers

• Restore 102 functionality for 115+
• Allow screen readers to read off information about Thunderbird
• Ensure version number is read when about dialog opens

Comment 2

[Elizabeth Gray [:elizabeth]]

Comment on attachment 9347232 [details]
Bug 1847078 - Restore about dialog description for screen readers. r=#thunderbird-front-end-reviewers

[Approval Request Comment]
Regression caused by (bug #): Bug 1816532
User impact if declined: Significant. Screen readers do not read the version number when a user opens Help > About > About Thunderbird dialog. Knowing the version number is important information.
Testing completed (on c-c, etc.): Try run successful.
Risk to taking this patch (and alternatives if risky): Very low. Minimal code change to aria item only.

Comment 3

[Pulsebot]

Pushed by [e-mail]:
https://hg.mozilla.org/comm-central/rev/751c11658558
Restore about dialog description for screen readers. r=aleca

Comment 4

[Wayne Mery (:wsmwk)]

Comment on attachment 9347232 [details]
Bug 1847078 - Restore about dialog description for screen readers. r=#thunderbird-front-end-reviewers

[Triage Comment]
Approved for beta
Approved for esr115

Comment 5

[Daniel Darnell [:dandarnell]]

Thunderbird 117.0b2:
https://hg.mozilla.org/releases/comm-beta/rev/8f5177423f6a

Comment 6

[Rob Lemley [:rjl]]

Thunderbird 115.1.1:
https://hg.mozilla.org/releases/comm-esr115/rev/a6c60df0497b