Multi-select breaks with NVDA screen reader

When using the NVDA screen reader the multi-select form element does not respond properly to keyboard commands.

  • With NVDA active
  • Navigate to NSW Digital Design System - Select
  • use the keyboard to tab to the Multiple Select section in Demo & Code
  • open the select box with spacebar
  • try to select one of the individual items by tabbing to it and pressing space bar

expected behaviour:

  • the individual item is selected

actual behaviour:

  • all items are selected

Our testing indicates this is based on ‘all items’ being the first checkbox. When there is no ‘all items’ just the first item is selected no matter which one you choose.

Bonus bug: on that page, when you use the Esc key to close the multiple select box, the focus is moved to the last select box on the page.