
**SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics)** elements might not be read by NVDA (NonVisual Desktop Access) screen reader due to several reasons, that can be lack of accessibility attributes.

Complex SVGs with many nested elements or those used purely for decoration might not be easily interpreted by screen readers. Simpler and well-structured SVGs with appropriate accessibility features are more likely to be read correctly.

SVG elements will not add the accessibility atttributes by default, so that will fail to describe by itself, and the NVDA and other screen reader required these attributes to work.

SVG elements should have proper **role** and **aria-<'tag-name'>** attributes to indicate their purpose and provide additional context.
For example, adding <span class="highlight-small">role="img"</span> to an SVG and using <span class="highlight-small">aria-labelledby</span> to reference a descriptive text can improve accessibility.

```html
<svg width="100" height="100" role="img" aria-labelledby="svgTitle">
  <title id="svgTitle">A red circle</title>
  <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="40" stroke="black" stroke-width="3" fill="red" />
</svg>
```

Some case all the above are provided and still the NVDA reader is not reading it, then add extra attribute <span class="highlight-small">`tabindex=0`</span>. So this will give the straight focus to the element and read the content.

<svg width="100" height="100" role="img" tabindex="0" aria-labelledby="svgTitle">
  <title id="svgTitle">A red circle</title>
  <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="40" stroke="black" stroke-width="3" fill="red" />
</svg>

```html
<svg
  width="100"
  height="100"
  role="img"
  tabindex="0"
  aria-labelledby="svgTitle"
>
  <title id="svgTitle">A red circle</title>
  <circle cx="50" cy="50" r="40" stroke="black" stroke-width="3" fill="red" />
</svg>
```


SVG elements will not add the accessibility atttributes by default, so that will fail to describe by itself, and the NVDA and other screen reader required these attributes to work.

More Stories related to 'accessibility'

Also read the similar topics