[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #33002: List table: avoid redundant Edit links to reduce noise for screen readers

[WordPress Trac]

#33002: List table: avoid redundant Edit links to reduce noise for screen readers
----------------------------+-----------------------------
 Reporter:  afercia         |      Owner:
     Type:  defect (bug)    |     Status:  new
 Priority:  normal          |  Milestone:  Awaiting Review
Component:  Administration  |    Version:  4.2
 Severity:  normal          |   Keywords:  needs-patch
  Focuses:  accessibility   |
----------------------------+-----------------------------
 Splitting this out from #32254.

 In all the List Tables (except Comments) there are redundant adjacent
 "Edit" links. They have different text and they point to the same resource
 (the edit screen). For example, in the screenshot below "Scheduled" and
 "Edit" (the row actions one) serve the same purpose.

 [[Image(https://cldup.com/jY65ziCiL4.png)]]

 As pointed out in #32254 the row actions "Edit" link may represent some
 sort of feedback given to users about what they can do, specifically if
 they have permission to edit and I see the potential confusion in removing
 it.

 On the other hand, that's completely redundant and confusing for screen
 reader users who will just hear the same information twice, multiplied for
 the default 20 items per page makes a total of 40 "Edit" links.
 Considering also the title attributes, screen readers will read out
 something like this:
 {{{
 Scheduled link  Edit “Scheduled”
 Edit link  Edit this item
 }}}

 We should try to find a way to hide the redundant link just for assistive
 technologies. Would be a bit tricky since `aria-hidden` would silence
 screen readers but wouldn't remove the tab stop. Any thoughts more than
 welcome.

--
Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/33002>
WordPress Trac <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/>
WordPress publishing platform