Description

JAWS does not announce the error message associated with a native HTML checkbox using aria-errormessage, even when aria-invalid="true" is set.

The same example works correctly with NVDA.

Interestingly, JAWS announces error messages associated with text inputs using aria-errormessage, but not with checkboxes.

Steps to reproduce

Create an HTML page using the following code:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <title>Checkbox aria-errormessage test</title>
</head>
<body>
  <h1>Checkbox error message test</h1>

  <input
    type="checkbox"
    id="consent"
    aria-invalid="true"
    aria-errormessage="consent-error">

  <label for="consent">
    I agree to the terms and conditions.
  </label>

  <p id="consent-error">
    You must accept the terms and conditions.
  </p>
</body>
</html>

• Open the page in Firefox with JAWS running.
• Navigate to the checkbox using the Tab key.
• Check whether the associated error message is announced.
• Repeat the test with NVDA.

Expected result

JAWS should announce the checkbox label, its state, and the associated error message:

"You must accept the terms and conditions."

Actual result

• JAWS: Does not announce the error message when the checkbox receives focus.
• NVDA: Correctly announces the error message.
• JAWS with aria-describedby: Replacing aria-errormessage with aria-describedby="consent-error" makes JAWS announce the message correctly.

This suggests a specific issue with JAWS support for aria-errormessage on checkboxes.

Environment

• JAWS 2026.2606.132
• Windows 11
• Firefox 159.0

Additional information

According to the WAI-ARIA specification, aria-errormessage is supported on elements with the checkbox role.

Could you confirm whether this is a known limitation or a bug in JAWS ?

Thank you.