Improve duplicate "edit" link pattern in main content listing table

[EWashb]

Background

During an accessibility audit, it was found that the pattern of duplicate "edit" links proves to be an accessibility defect. Suggestion from the accessibility lead during the audit is that sach edit link should be given a unique name for the piece of content it relates to. For example, "Edit Salem VA Clinic content" or "Edit Jason Wilcox page". This would make the full lists of links unique and descriptive, as well as compliant.

Image of defective area:

Additional context

This is something that is often resolved with visually hidden content

D.O issue

Accessibility Standard

WCAG version 2.0 AAA, Criterion 2.4.9

Acceptance Criteria

• UX review of "edit" pattern found in main content listing table
• tech feasibility review
• change management is consulted

[swirtSJW]

This leads to a lot of repetition when using a screen reader... repetition fatigue is real. One solution might be to move the edit link into the title column. That way it has the context but you don't have to listen to it twice. The drawback is the visual display might be a little ragged without some css.

[swirtSJW]

Another thought is to make the edit column header be a TD rather than a TH (common practice for the upper left cell when you have both column and row headers). The edit link is not so much tabular data (like the rest of the cells) as it is an action that just happens to be grouped near the data. It carries its own context from the cell to its left.

[laflannery]

Notes from Drupal a11y meeting:

• Programmatic solution – column header and row headers are designated (HTML based), OR
• Use ARIA described by for “[operation_name] [page_title]”
• HTML based approach is more programmatic and sustainable, ARIA is more elegant but could easily break when things are edited in the future

[laflannery]

There has been a lot of updates on this issue recently, it may be resolved shortly?