Accessibility Conformance Report for GitHub Copilot for Visual Studio Code

(Based on VPAT® Version 2.4)

Report Date

This report was last updated on December 17, 2024.

Product Description

The Copilot extension in Visual Studio Code allows you to generate code, learn from the code it generates, and even configure your editor. Learn more at GitHub Copilot in VS Code.

Contact Information

Please share questions or comments on the accessibility community discussion page.

Scope

The scope of this report is limited to the Copilot extension in Visual Studio Code:

  • Copilot Chat Pane
  • Copilot Completions
  • Ask Copilot
  • Inline Copilot

Evaluation Methods Used

Scenarios were tested using:

  • Keyboard-only interactions
  • JAWS and NVDA with Google Chrome
  • axe
  • Colour Contrast Analyzer
  • Platform features such as high contrast and zoom

Applicable Standards/Guidelines

This report reflects outstanding issues found by an audit based on the level A and AA criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.1 (WCAG 2.1 AA).

Terms

  • Supports: The functionality of the product has at least one method that meets the criterion without known defects or meets with equivalent facilitation.
  • Partially Supports: Some functionality of the product does not meet the criterion.
  • Does Not Support: The majority of product functionality does not meet the criterion.
  • Not Applicable: The criterion is not relevant to the product.
  • Not Evaluated: The product has not been evaluated against the criterion.

WCAG 2.1

Level A Success Criteria

Success Criteria Conformance Level Remarks and Explanations
1.1.1 Non-text Content

Supports
1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)

Supports
1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded)

Supports
1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative

Supports
1.3.1 Info and Relationships

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [GHCP_VSCodeExtsnComp1.5] Chromium components is not scanned with a web-based scanner
  • [GHVSCopilotchat1.18] [GHCopilotVScodeProject- Copilot Chat] The screen reader announces incorrect position number for the items under the menu that appears upon activating the 'Show code actions'.
1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence

Supports
1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics

Supports
1.4.1 Use of Color

Supports
1.4.2 Audio Control

Supports
2.1.1 Keyboard

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [GHVSCopilotchat1.1] [GHCopilotVScodeProject- Copilot Chat] The tool tip for the 'New session' control is not accessible through the keyboard.
2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap

Supports
2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts

Supports
2.2.1 Timing Adjustable

Supports
2.2.2 Pause Stop Hide

Supports
2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold

Supports
2.4.1 Bypass Blocks

Supports
2.4.2 Page Titled

Supports
2.4.3 Focus Order

Supports
2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)

Supports
2.5.1 Pointer Gestures

Supports
2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation

Supports
2.5.3 Label in Name

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [GHVSCopilotchat1.1] [GHCopilotVScodeProject-Copilot Chat] The screen reader announces the incorrect information about the placeholder text -'Ask Copilot or type/ for commands' that is visible on a edit field.
2.5.4 Motion Actuation

Supports
3.1.1 Language of Page

Supports
3.2.1 On Focus

Supports
3.2.2 On Input

Supports
3.3.1 Error Identification

Supports
3.3.2 Labels or Instructions

Supports
4.1.1 Parsing

Supports
4.1.2 Name Role Value

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [GHVSCopilotchat1.1] [GHCopilotVScodeProject-Copilot Chat] The screen reader is not announcing the role of the 'submit' control.
  • WCAG Audit] [GHVSCopilotchat1.1] [GHCopilotVScodeProject-Copilot Chat] The screen reader is not announcing the state of the 'submit' control.
  • [GHVSCopilotchat1.18] [GHCopilotVScodeProject- Copilot Chat] VoiceOver announces two states for menu items that appear for the 'Show code actions' control.
  • [GHVSCopilotchat1.18] [GHCopilotVScodeProject- Copilot Chat] The role for the 'Show code actions' is not announced by the screen reader.

Level AA Success Criteria

Success Criteria Conformance Level Remarks and Explanations
1.2.4 Captions (Live)

Supports
1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded)

Supports
1.3.4 Orientation

Supports
1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose

Supports
1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)

Supports
1.4.4 Resize text

Supports
1.4.5 Images of Text

Supports
1.4.10 Reflow

Supports
1.4.11 Non-text Contrast

Supports
1.4.12 Text-spacing

Supports
1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus

Supports
2.4.5 Multiple Ways

Supports
2.4.6 Headings and Labels

Supports
2.4.7 Focus Visible

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [GHVSCopilotchat1.11] [GHCopilotVScodeProject-Copilot Chat] The keyboard focus indicator is not visible on selected 'helpful' control.
3.1.2 Language of Parts

Supports
3.2.3 Consistent Navigation

Supports
3.2.4 Consistent Identification

Supports
3.3.3 Error Suggestion

Supports
3.3.4 Error Prevention (LFD)

Supports
4.1.3 Status Messages

Supports

Disclaimer

©2024 GitHub Inc. All rights reserved. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. The information contained in this document represents the current view of GitHub Inc. on the issues discussed as of the date of publication. GitHub cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of publication.

GitHub’s WCAG 2.1 conformance reports provide the information included in ITI’s “VPAT® 2.4Rev WCAG (March 2022)” template. “Voluntary Product Accessibility Template” and “VPAT” are registered service marks of the Information Technology Industry Council (ITI). This document includes material copied from or derived from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1). Copyright © 2017-2018 W3C® (MIT, ERCIM, Keio, Beihang). This document is not the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and should not be used as a substitute for it. Excerpts of WCAG are referenced solely for purposes of detailing GitHub’s conformance with the relevant provisions. A full and complete copy of the Guidelines is available from the W3C WAI.

GitHub regularly updates its websites and provides new information about the accessibility of products as that information becomes available. Customization of the product voids this conformance statement from GitHub. Customers may make independent conformance statements if they have conducted due diligence to meet all relevant requirements for their customization. Please consult with Assistive Technology (AT) vendors for compatibility specifications of specific AT products. This document is for informational purposes only. GitHub MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS DOCUMENT.

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