Accessibility Conformance Report for GitHub Desktop

(Based on VPAT® Version 2.4)

Report Date

This report was last updated on December 5, 2024.

Product Description

GitHub Desktop is a free, open source application that helps you to work with files hosted on GitHub or other Git hosting services.

desktop.github.com is a website that contains information about the GitHub Desktop product. The content includes download links, release notes, and access to product documentation.

Contact Information

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

Scope

The scope of this report includes content on desktop.github.com and is limited to the following user scenarios in the GitHub Desktop app:

  • Welcome and tutorial flow
  • Sign in to Github.com and GitHub Enterprise
  • Manual configurations
  • Global main menu items
  • Text editor installation
  • Creating and managing repositories, branches, files, commits, pull requests

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:

  • [GHDsktAncillary3.9] Screen reader is not announcing status message information
  • [GHDsktAncillary1.9] Screen reader does not announce the associated label information for the 'Primary Remote Repository' edit field
  • [GHDsktpdiffaudit1.17] [GitHub Desktop Diff-Diff interactions] The screen reader does not announce the highlighted search result information on providing valid/invalid input in the search edit field
  • [GHDsktpdiffaudit1.29] [GitHub Desktop Diff-Multi-file selection message] Screen Reader does not announce the selected information upon selecting multiple controls present in left pane using Shift+arrow keys.
  • [GHDsktErrorDialogs1.1] [GHDskErrorDialogs-Generic Git Authentication Failed] The screen reader does not announce any information for the side menu that appears upon activating the 'show error dialog' control.
  • [GithubDeskt1.9] [GitHub Desktop Repository List- URL] Disabled "Clone" button
1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [GH-Diff InteractionsMac5.2][GitHub Desktop changes - Diff header and warnings] In browse mode, voice over navigation does not move to diff content table
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:

  • [GH-Diffing Submodules7.3] [GitHub Desktop changes-Unable to Commit A Submodule Change] Tooltip is not accessible through keyboard
  • [GHDsktpdiffaudit1.34] [GitHub Desktop Diff-Unable to commit a submodule change] The warning tooltip of 'repo_the_first' checkbox present at the left pane is not accessible via keyboard.
  • [GithubDeskt1.1] [GitHub Desktop Repository List-Current repository]: The Tooltip that appears on mouse hover for 'up and down' arrows is not displayed through keyboard.
  • [GithubDeskt1.19][GitHub Desktop-Summary (required)]: The additional information which appears upon mouse hover is not accessible through 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

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [DsktGH.Com1.11] [desktop.github.com - Desktop Co-authors] No mechanism is provided to pause, stop or hide the animation
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

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [GH-Stashedchanges4.1] [GITHUB Desktop Changes-Stashing Changes] On pressing the shortcut key 'Ctrl+Shift+S' to activate 'Stash all changes' control the keyboard focus does not move to the newly added control
  • [GH-Diffstates6.4] [GITHUB Desktop Changes-Image diff] Slider control in the Swipe tab is not accessible in forward navigation.
  • [GH-Diff Interactions5.8] [GITHUB Desktop Changes-Hunk Expansion Controls] Focus order is not correct after invoking 'Expand up' control
  • [GHDskt(Win32)Branch&HistoryUpdat1.4] [GHDskt(Win32)Branch&HistoryUpdat - Rebasing] Keyboard focus does not navigate on the first item inside the action button when user activates it.
  • [GHDskt(Win32)Branch&HistoryUpdat1.1] [GHDskt(Win32)Branch&HistoryUpdat - Merge to Main Branch] Keyboard focus does not retained on the last interacted control element when a control has been selected within the drop-up options.
2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [DsktGH.Com1.11] [desktop.github.com - Desktop Co-authors] 'Learn more here' link is not descriptive
2.5.1 Pointer Gestures

Supports
2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation

Supports
2.5.3 Label in Name

Supports
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:

  • [GHDsktAncillary1.10] Accessible name is not defined for Ignored field 'Text Area'
  • [GHDskt(Win32)Branch&HistoryUpdat1.4] [GHDskt(Win32)Branch&HistoryUpdat - Rebasing] Role information for the submenu items are not being 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)

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [GHDsktAncillary4.6] Luminosity contrast ratio for text 'Some checks haven't completed yet' is 2:1
1.4.4 Resize text

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [GHDsktTutorials2.12] [GitHub desktop Welcome Flow Orientation-You're done] On resizing the app up to 200%, the controls (Open in browser, create repository and add repository) available under the heading (You're done) are getting cut off.
1.4.5 Images of Text

Supports
1.4.10 Reflow

Supports
1.4.11 Non-text Contrast

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [GithubDeskt1.3] [GitHub desktop- File-Appearance Themes (light/dark)]: The Luminosity contrast ratio of focus indicator over the menu item that appears upon pressing (fn + right ctrl) or right mouse click is less than 3:1..
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

Supports
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

Partially Supports

Exceptions include:

  • [GHDesktpHstry1.1] On providing invalid input screen reader does not announce the status message information
  • [GH-Committing2.17] [GitHub Desktop Changes-Repository Rulesets] Screen reader does not announce the warning message automatically
  • [GH-OpenaPullRequestdialog8.2] [GITHUB Desktop Changes-Branch Selection Control] On providing invalid input screen reader does not announce the status message information

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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