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UI Patterns

Toast / Notification

Transient messages must use role='status' or aria-live='polite' so screen readers announce them. Must not auto-dismiss too quickly (<5s minimum). Must be dismissible. Must not steal focus from the user's task.

In plain terms

Brief pop-up messages must be read aloud to screen-reader users and stay long enough to read — don't whisk them away.

Why this matters

Toasts that aren't announced leave screen-reader users unaware of confirmations or errors, and ones that vanish in two seconds are gone before many people can read them.

How to detect

Quick check

Trigger a toast with a screen reader on: is it announced via role='status' or aria-live? Check it stays long enough to read (or is dismissible) and doesn't steal keyboard focus.