Show Password: Lessons from a Failed Experiment in JavaScript Accessibility

This article explores the challenges of creating an accessible JavaScript function that allows screen reader users to hear their password as they type, while maintaining visual obfuscation. The author details two prototype attempts and their shortcomings.

Key Findings:

• Directly copying the password field value to an aria-live="assertive" element failed because screen readers announced the entire password at once, not letter by letter, misinterpreting capitalization and special characters.
• Announcing individual letters on keypress events improved feedback but severely limited typing speed.
• A critical issue with aria-live regions was revealed: most browser/screen reader combinations don't treat "assertive" differently from "polite," delaying announcements until the screen reader is idle.
• The experiment highlighted that true accessibility requires usable and intuitive solutions, not just technical compliance.

Photo credit: daveynin

The author's initial goal was to improve security for blind users of password fields, who lack visual confirmation of correct input. Standard "Show Password" features pose a privacy risk in shared environments. The prototypes aimed to provide auditory feedback without revealing the password visually.

The first prototype used an aria-live region to announce the password value. However, this resulted in the entire password being announced as a single unit, leading to misinterpretations of capitalization and special characters. The second prototype attempted to address this by announcing each letter individually, but this severely hampered typing speed.

A significant obstacle was the inconsistent implementation of aria-live="assertive" across different browsers and screen readers. In most cases, it behaved like "polite," delaying announcements and rendering the solution impractical.

The conclusion emphasizes that a truly accessible solution must be both technically compliant and user-friendly. The author suggests that while a standard "Show Password" function might be accessible, it presents security risks. The article also explores alternative approaches, including using aria-label to provide screen reader-specific instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Solutions:

The article concludes with a comprehensive FAQ section addressing common questions about creating and implementing accessible password toggle features using JavaScript, jQuery, and CSS, including considerations for styling, security, and testing. These solutions offer practical guidance for developers seeking to create more inclusive and secure password input experiences.

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