label_visibility="hidden" since Streamlit 1.11: does the accessible name still reach screen readers after re-runs?

Answer to the Core Question

Yes. In Streamlit 1.11 and later, a widget created with label_visibility="hidden" renders the label text as an aria-label attribute on the underlying <input> or <select> element. The attribute is added every time the script runs, so the accessible name is preserved across re‑runs triggered by any widget interaction.

What the DOM Looks Like

<input type="text" id="st-text-0" aria-label="Secret">

When label_visibility="collapsed" is used instead, Streamlit adds a hidden <label> element that is visually hidden but still part of the DOM. The aria-label is omitted in that case, and the hidden <label> becomes the source of the accessible name.

Screen Reader Behavior After a Re‑run

• Because the aria-label is regenerated with the same value on each re‑run, screen readers such as NVDA and VoiceOver announce the widget’s name normally when it receives focus.
• Focus is preserved on the same widget instance unless the app explicitly changes focus. The re‑run does not reset the keyboard order; it simply re‑creates the widget tree.

Keyboard‑Only Users

With label_visibility="hidden", there is no visible anchor for sighted users, but the focus order remains the same as in the source code. If you need to keep a visible label for keyboard users, consider using label_visibility="collapsed" or providing an aria-labelledby that points to a hidden <label> that is still focusable.

Recommended Pattern for Stable Focus

1. Use hidden labels only when the label text is short and non‑ambiguous.
2. Wrap the widget in a <div> with tabindex="0" if you need a custom focus ring.
3. Test with your target screen reader and browser. Verify that the aria-label is present after each re‑run.
4. If you need a visible cue for keyboard users, add a visually hidden <label> and reference it via aria-labelledby instead of aria-label.

How to Verify in Your App

# Minimal Streamlit example
import streamlit as st

st.text_input('Secret', label_visibility='hidden')

# Trigger a re‑run
if st.button('Change'): st.session_state['dummy'] = 1

1. Open the browser’s developer tools and locate the <input> element. Confirm it has aria-label="Secret". 2. Click the Change button to trigger a re‑run. Inspect the element again; the attribute should still be present. 3. Use NVDA or VoiceOver to focus the input and ensure the screen reader announces “Secret”.

Missing Diagnostic Detail

If you notice that the screen reader does not announce the label after a re‑run, check which browser and screen‑reader combination you are using, as some older combinations may not honor aria-label on re‑created elements.