NatLabRockies / NatLabRockies/SAM
Screen reader accessibility
Nobody has claimed this yet.
- Dominant language
- C++
- Stars
- 486
- Forks
- 219
- Avg merge
- 10h 10m
- Merged PRs (30d)
- 2
Description
Describe the bug
Many of SAM's UI elements fail basic accessibility. For example, many buttons do not have an accessible name, many input fields are not associated with their on-screen accessible name, tab behavior is not intuitive in some areas and doesn't work at all in others, and important non-input screens like the simulation results output are not accessible at all.
To Reproduce
I would suggest downloading a free screen reader like NVDA and try to navigate SAM using a keyboard. The difficulties should be apparent right away but let me know if further instructions would help.
Expected behavior
At a minimum, the screen reader should announce a label for all input fields, buttons, and menu items. Other text on screen should be easily navigable.
Operating System and Version
- OS: Windows 10
- Version: 2025.4.16
Additional context
I only tested on Windows with NVDA, but the issue is likely with any OS or screen reader.
Contributor guide
First steps
- Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
- Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
- Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
- Open a pull request that references the issue number.
Research direction
The issue does not name source files, tests, or entry points. Start by reproducing the problems in SAM on Windows 10 with NVDA and keyboard navigation, then identify the affected UI areas and establish coverage for labeled controls, logical tab order, and navigable simulation results. Done means these accessibility expectations are met across the reported screens.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- cpp
- Domain
- accessibility
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 5/5
- Estimated time
- Over a week
- Activity status
- Stale
- Clarity
- Needs clarification
- Newbie friendliness
- 25/100