Pronunciation

The pronunciation rule ensures that content is understandable by users with visual or reading difficulties when its meaning depends on pronunciation. Some words or characters have different meanings based on how they are pronounced, and while context often clarifies this, it is not always enough, especially in complex or ambiguous sentences. If a screen reader mispronounces a word, it can make the content confusing or impossible to understand.

Button element accessibility label capitalisation

Button-element accessibility-label capitalisation refers to accessibility labels for buttons in mobile applications that begin with an uppercase letter. Screen readers rely on these labels to pronounce the text correctly. When labels start with a lowercase letter, screen readers may misinterpret the label’s pronunciation, leading to incorrect inflection or intonation.

Testing for this criterion ensures that all button labels in your app are easily understandable when read aloud by screen readers, thereby enhancing the overall accessibility of your app.

Success criteria

The rule checks for the following potential violations:

• Button labels that begin with a lowercase letter.
• Inconsistent capitalization may cause screen readers to mispronounce the label.

For instance, a button labeled “submit user details” instead of “Submit user details” could be flagged as a violation.

How to fix?

To resolve this issue, ensure that all accessibility labels for button-type elements in your app start with an uppercase letter. This change can improve the clarity and accuracy with which screen readers pronounce the labels, making your app more accessible to users with disabilities.

Example

The following example scan report shows a button element with the accessibility label submit user details is flagged for starting with a lowercase letter. Screen readers may mispronounce the label.

Fix

Change the label to Submit user details to start with an uppercase letter, ensuring correct pronunciation by screen readers and compliance with accessibility standards.

Reference

Learn more about Pronunciation WCAG: 2.1 - 3.1.6 (Level AAA) guideline.