Accessibility Label Not Punctuated

Accessibility labels on iOS elements should end with appropriate punctuation so VoiceOver produces natural pauses and intonation when reading them.

WCAG Reference

Maps to: WCAG 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions | Applies to: WCAG 2.0, WCAG 2.1, WCAG 2.2 Introduced in: WCAG 2.0 | Level: A | Read the official specification →

What this rule checks

The scanner flags accessibility labels that do not end with proper punctuation (period, comma, question mark, or exclamation mark), which affects VoiceOver's speech cadence and clarity.

Why it matters

VoiceOver uses punctuation to determine pacing and intonation. A label that ends abruptly without punctuation causes VoiceOver to run the label into the next announcement without a pause, making it harder for users to parse individual elements.

Common failure patterns

• labels like "Add to cart" with no trailing period
• descriptive labels on images that read as sentences but lack ending punctuation
• multi-word labels that describe status or state without punctuation

Remediation guidance

• end accessibility labels with a period when they form a complete phrase or sentence
• use punctuation consistent with the label's tone: period for statements, question mark for questions
• keep labels concise — a label should describe the element, not be a paragraph
• test with VoiceOver to confirm the speech rhythm sounds natural between consecutive elements

Related docs

• iOS Rule Repository
• Accessibility Issue Remediation Guide