Testing Chat Elicitation Accessibility With Screen Readers In VS Code

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into an important accessibility test within VS Code. We're going to explore how chat elicitation prompts work with screen readers, ensuring a smooth and inclusive experience for all users. This test focuses on features like MCP (Multi-Command Processor), running tasks, and the 'Run in Terminal' tool, all of which utilize chat elicitation to interact with the user. Let's get started!

Understanding Chat Elicitation in VS Code

First off, what exactly is chat elicitation? In VS Code, chat elicitation is a method used to prompt the user for further input or confirmation within a chat-like interface. Think of it as a way for the system to ask, "Hey, do you want to continue with this action?" or "Are you sure about that?" This is particularly useful for long-running tasks or actions that might have significant consequences. For example, when you run a lengthy command in the terminal, VS Code might use chat elicitation to check if you want to keep the process going, especially if it's running in the background.

Now, the critical part is ensuring this interaction is seamless for users who rely on screen readers. Accessibility is paramount, and we need to verify that these prompts are not only visible but also easily navigable and understandable for screen reader users. This means making sure the screen reader announces the prompt clearly, allows users to navigate the options using the keyboard, and provides an accessible view where the prompt can be inspected in detail.

For those unfamiliar, a screen reader is assistive technology that converts text and other elements on the screen into speech or braille, allowing users with visual impairments to interact with the computer. Therefore, when a chat elicitation prompt appears, the screen reader needs to immediately announce it, providing context and options. The user should then be able to use keyboard commands, such as the Tab key, to move between the available choices (e.g., "Yes," "No," "Cancel"). Furthermore, VS Code provides an accessible view (activated by pressing Alt+F2), which offers a simplified, screen reader-friendly representation of the prompt, allowing for a more detailed inspection.

The Importance of Accessibility Testing

Why is this testing so crucial? Well, imagine you're running a critical script in the terminal, and a chat elicitation prompt pops up asking if you want to continue. If you can't see the screen and the screen reader doesn't announce the prompt, the script might hang indefinitely, or worse, you might miss an important warning or confirmation. This is why we need to rigorously test these scenarios to ensure everyone has a great experience with VS Code.

This specific test, flagged under issue #257490, focuses on ensuring that these chat elicitation prompts are fully accessible. We're looking at scenarios across different operating systems – Windows, macOS, and anyOS – to ensure consistency. The complexity is rated as a 2, indicating it's a moderately complex test that requires a good understanding of both VS Code and screen reader functionality. The authors of this test, @meganrogge and @connor4312, have highlighted the critical areas we need to focus on.

Setting Up Your Test Environment

Before we dive into the actual testing steps, let's make sure we have our environment set up correctly. First, you'll need to have VS Code installed. If you don't already have it, you can download it from the official VS Code website. Next, you'll need to enable a screen reader. On Windows, you can use Narrator, which is built into the operating system. On macOS, VoiceOver is the native screen reader. For other operating systems, you can use screen readers like NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access), which is a popular open-source option.

Once your screen reader is enabled, you'll want to familiarize yourself with its basic commands. This typically includes commands for navigating the screen, reading text, and interacting with elements. Each screen reader has its own set of commands, so it's a good idea to consult the documentation for the specific screen reader you're using. For example, with Narrator on Windows, you can use the Caps Lock key along with arrow keys to navigate, and the Enter key to select an element. With VoiceOver on macOS, you'll use the Control and Option keys in combination with other keys for navigation and interaction.

With your screen reader up and running, you're ready to start testing the chat elicitation prompts in VS Code. The key is to simulate real-world scenarios where these prompts would appear, paying close attention to how the screen reader announces and handles them.

Step-by-Step Testing Procedure

Okay, let's get to the nitty-gritty of the testing process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you effectively test chat elicitation prompts with a screen reader in VS Code:

1. Enable Your Screen Reader: First and foremost, make sure your screen reader is running. Whether it's Narrator on Windows, VoiceOver on macOS, or NVDA on another OS, ensure it's active and ready to go.
2. Open VS Code: Launch VS Code and open a project or workspace where you can run terminal commands. This could be any project – a simple JavaScript project, a Python project, or even just an empty folder.
3. Open the Terminal: Open the integrated terminal in VS Code by pressing Ctrl+`` (or Cmd+`` on macOS) or by going to View > Terminal in the menu. This is where you'll be running commands that trigger chat elicitation prompts.
4. Run a Long Terminal Command: To trigger a chat elicitation prompt, you need to run a command that takes some time to complete. A good example is a command that runs in the background, allowing the elicitation prompt to appear after a set period (e.g., 20 seconds). You can use a command like `sleep 30 && echo