Out of the box, the Kendo React SmartBox provides extensive accessibility support and enables users with disabilities to acquire complete control over its features.


The SmartBox is compliant with the [Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA](https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/) standards and [Section 508](https://www.section508.gov/) requirements, follows the [Web Accessibility Initiative - Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA)](https://www.w3.org/WAI/ARIA/apg/) best practices for implementing the [keyboard navigation](#keyboard-navigation) for its `component` role, provides options for managing its focus and is tested against the most popular screen readers.

## WAI-ARIA


This section lists the selectors, attributes, and behavior patterns supported by the component and its composite elements, if any.

### SmartBox Component


The SmartBox is an AI-enhanced input component that provides intelligent suggestions and autocomplete functionality. It extends the standard input component with a popup suggestion list and optional prefix/suffix elements.

| Selector | Attribute | Usage |
| -------- | --------- | ----- |
| `.k-smart-box .k-input-inner` | `role=combobox` | Announces the combobox role for the SmartBox input. |
|  | `aria-label` or `aria-labelledby` | Provides an accessible label for the SmartBox (e.g., 'AI-powered search'). |
|  | `aria-expanded=true/false` | Indicates whether the suggestion popup is currently visible. |
|  | `aria-haspopup=listbox` | Indicates that the SmartBox has a popup listbox with suggestions. |
|  | `aria-controls` | References the ID of the popup listbox element when the popup is open. |
|  | `aria-autocomplete` | Indicates the autocomplete behavior of the input field. |
|  | `aria-activedescendant` | When the popup is open and keyboard navigation is active, references the ID of the currently focused list item. |

### Prefix and Suffix Elements


The SmartBox supports prefix and suffix areas for icons and buttons (e.g., AI sparkles icon, microphone button, send button).

| Selector | Attribute | Usage |
| -------- | --------- | ----- |
| `.k-smart-box .k-input-prefix .k-icon` | `aria-hidden=true` | Decorative icons in the prefix area are hidden from screen readers. |
| `.k-smart-box .k-input-suffix .k-button` | `aria-label` | Suffix buttons must have accessible labels describing their function (e.g., 'Start voice input', 'Send prompt'). |

### Send Button


The primary action button for submitting the input or stopping processing.

| Selector | Attribute | Usage |
| -------- | --------- | ----- |
| `.k-smart-box-send` | `aria-label` | The send button must be labelled to indicate its current action (e.g., 'Send' or 'Stop processing'). |
| `.k-smart-box-send.k-disabled` | `disabled` or `aria-disabled=true` | Indicates the button is disabled when there is no input or processing is not active. |
| `.k-smart-box-send.k-processing` | `aria-pressed=true` | Indicates that processing is in progress. The button changes function to stop processing. |

### Live Region Announcements


When suggestions are loaded or processing completes, screen readers should be notified.

| Selector | Attribute | Usage |
| -------- | --------- | ----- |
| `[data-suggestions-status]` | `aria-live=polite` | Use a visually hidden live region to announce status changes (e.g., 'X suggestions available', 'Processing complete'). |
|  | `aria-atomic=true` | Determines whether the entire region is announced on updates. |

### Speech-to-Text Button

[Speech-to-Text Button accessibility specification]({{speechtotextbutton_a11y_link}})

### Popup List


The suggestion popup follows the List accessibility specification. When open, the popup renders a listbox with option items.

[List accessibility specification]({{list_a11y_link}})

[Popup accessibility specification]({{popup_a11y_link}})

### Segmented Control


When present in the popup, the segmented control follows the Segmented Control accessibility specification.

[Segmented Control accessibility specification]({{segmentedcontrol_a11y_link}})

### Button Component

[Button accessibility specification]({{button_a11y_link}})

## Resources

[ARIA Authoring Practices Guide](https://www.w3.org/WAI/ARIA/apg/patterns/)

[ARIA Authoring Practices: Combobox Pattern](https://www.w3.org/WAI/ARIA/apg/patterns/combobox/)

## Section 508


The SmartBox is fully compliant with the [Section 508 requirements](http://www.section508.gov/).

## Testing


The SmartBox has been extensively tested automatically with [axe-core](https://github.com/dequelabs/axe-core) and manually with the most popular screen readers.

> To report any accessibility issues, contact the team through the [Telerik Support System](https://www.telerik.com/account/support-center).

### Screen Readers


The SmartBox has been tested with the following screen readers and browsers combinations:

| Environment | Tool |
| ----------- | ---- |
| Firefox | NVDA |
| Chrome | JAWS |
| Microsoft Edge | JAWS |