JAWS 2025 Bug: Doesn't Announce Percentage Correctly

by Alex Johnson 53 views

Users of JAWS screen reader software, take note! A significant regression has been identified in the latest JAWS 2025 build (2025.2506.170) that affects how the software announces the percentage symbol (“%”). This issue, categorized under FreedomScientific and standards-support, can impact the accessibility and usability of web content for visually impaired users.

The Problem: JAWS 2025 Silently Skips “Percentage”

In JAWS 2025, the screen reader fails to announce “percentage” when encountering the “%” symbol within textual values or progress outputs. Imagine browsing a website displaying a progress bar at “75%” and JAWS only reading “75,” omitting the crucial context of percentage. This behavior deviates significantly from previous versions and other screen readers.

To be precise, the issue manifests when JAWS 2025 encounters numeric values followed by the percent symbol, both in static text and dynamically updated content such as live regions and inline status messages. Instead of clearly stating “percentage,” JAWS 2025 only reads the numerical value. This regression in speech/verbosity handling for numeric + “%” tokens poses a substantial usability barrier.

This unexpected behavior is a departure from the expected functionality. Screen readers, including previous JAWS versions, NVDA, and VoiceOver, should announce “percentage” when encountering the percent symbol. For example, “50%” should be read as “50 percent,” providing users with complete and accurate information.

Impact on Users

This JAWS 2025 regression directly impacts users who rely on screen readers to understand numerical data presented as percentages. Without the “percentage” announcement, users may misinterpret information, especially in contexts where understanding percentages is critical, such as financial data, survey results, or progress indicators. The inability of JAWS 2025 to correctly articulate percentages not only diminishes the user experience but also compromises the accuracy of the information conveyed, highlighting the importance of a swift and effective solution.

Reproducing the Issue: A Simple Test

Reproducing the bug is straightforward. By following these steps, developers and users can quickly verify the issue:

  1. Copy and paste the following HTML code snippet into a text file and save it as an HTML file:
    <p>40%</p>
  2. Open the HTML file in Google Chrome (version 142.0.7444.163).
  3. Ensure JAWS 2025 (build 2025.2506.170) is running.
  4. Navigate to the paragraph using JAWS.
  5. Observe the output. JAWS 2025 announces “40” instead of the expected “40 percent.”

This simple test clearly demonstrates the regression, emphasizing the need for a resolution to ensure consistent and accurate screen reader output.

Comparing Results: JAWS 2025 vs. Other Screen Readers

The discrepancy in behavior becomes evident when comparing JAWS 2025 with previous versions and other assistive technologies. Here’s a breakdown:

  • JAWS 2025 (2025.2506.170): Bug present – Announces only the number, omitting “percent.”
  • JAWS 2024 (2024.2405.83): Works as expected – Announces “percentage” correctly.
  • NVDA 2024.x: Speaks “percent/percentage” correctly.
  • VoiceOver (macOS/iOS): Speaks “percent/percentage” correctly.

This comparison highlights that JAWS 2025’s behavior is an anomaly. Both JAWS 2024 and other leading screen readers like NVDA and VoiceOver accurately announce the percentage symbol, ensuring a consistent user experience across platforms.

Test Environment Details

The issue has been confirmed under the following conditions:

  • JAWS:
    • 2025 (2025.2506.170) – Bug present
    • 2024 (2024.2405.83) – Works as expected
  • Browser: Google Chrome 142.0.7444.163

This information helps developers and testers replicate the environment where the bug occurs, facilitating the debugging and resolution process.

Implications and the Need for a Fix

This regression in JAWS 2025's speech handling has significant implications for visually impaired users. The omission of “percentage” can lead to misinterpretations of data, particularly in scenarios involving financial information, statistics, and progress tracking. This not only degrades the user experience but also potentially compromises the accuracy of information accessed through the screen reader.

The consistency of screen reader output is crucial for users who rely on these tools to navigate and understand digital content. When a screen reader deviates from established conventions, it can create confusion and frustration, undermining the goal of accessibility. The discrepancy between JAWS 2025 and other screen readers, as well as previous versions of JAWS, underscores the importance of addressing this bug promptly.

Given the widespread use of JAWS by visually impaired individuals, resolving this issue is paramount. A timely fix will ensure that users receive accurate and complete information, maintaining the integrity of web content accessibility.

Community Discussion and Next Steps

The discovery of this bug has sparked discussions within the accessibility community, with users and developers sharing their experiences and insights. The exchange of information is crucial for understanding the scope of the issue and identifying potential workarounds or solutions. As the community collaborates, it is essential for Freedom Scientific, the developers of JAWS, to acknowledge the problem and prioritize a fix.

Moving forward, it is recommended that Freedom Scientific thoroughly investigate this regression and implement a solution in an upcoming release of JAWS 2025. Clear communication regarding the progress of the fix will help manage user expectations and demonstrate a commitment to accessibility. Additionally, robust testing procedures should be in place to prevent similar issues from arising in future updates.

In the interim, users encountering this bug may consider using JAWS 2024 or alternative screen readers such as NVDA or VoiceOver to ensure accurate pronunciation of percentages. However, this workaround underscores the urgency of resolving the problem within JAWS 2025 itself.

Conclusion

The JAWS 2025 regression that prevents the screen reader from announcing the percentage symbol correctly is a significant accessibility issue. By omitting “percentage,” JAWS 2025 fails to provide users with complete and accurate information, potentially leading to misinterpretations and a degraded user experience. The discrepancy between JAWS 2025 and other screen readers, as well as previous versions of JAWS, highlights the importance of addressing this bug promptly.

Freedom Scientific must prioritize a fix to ensure that JAWS 2025 aligns with established accessibility standards and provides a consistent user experience. Open communication with the community regarding the progress of the fix will help manage user expectations and demonstrate a commitment to accessibility.

In the meantime, users may explore alternative screen readers or revert to JAWS 2024. However, the ultimate solution lies in a timely update from Freedom Scientific that restores the correct pronunciation of percentages in JAWS 2025.

For more information on web accessibility standards and guidelines, you can visit the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) website.