Incorrect Key Tips Announcement for the "Equation" Ribbon in Microsoft Word

[brichwin]

eDAD tracking ticket for this issue is Accessibility 228600

Description

When using either the JAWS or the NVDA screen readers in Microsoft Word, pressing the Alt key brings up Key Tips for accessing the ribbon tabs. Unfortunately, the Key Tips announced for accessing the "Equation" ribbon is incorrect. The correct Key Tips are shown ("J E"), but what is announced is "Alt followed by Y J E".

Steps to Reproduce:

1. Open Microsoft Word
2. Activate the JAWS or NVDA screen reader
3. In the body of the document, press Alt + =
4. With the cursor in the "math zone" / equation area, press the Alt key to display the ribbon's Key Tips
5. The screen reader should speak the Key Tips to press to access the Equation ribbon
   • Note that the displayed Key Tips are "J E"
   • Note that the screen reader speaks "Alt followed by Y J E"
     7. Press 'J' then 'E' and notice that now the Key Tips for the Equation ribbon controls are shown
     8. Press 'Esc' to return to editing the document
     9. Make sure your cursor is in the "math zone" / equation area
     10. Press the 'Alt' key and then 'Y', 'J', 'E'. Note that Word does not display the Key Tips for the Equation ribbon

Version Information:

• OS Version: -- OS Name: Microsoft Windows 11 Enterprise -- Version: 10.0.22621 Build 22621 -- Locale: United States
• Microsoft Word Version: -- Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise -- Version 2402 (Build 17328.20452 Click-to-run)
• JAWS Version -- JAWS Professional Version 2024.2406.121 with MathCAT enabled.
• NVDA Version -- NVDA Version 2023.3.4 (2023.3.4.31265)

Demonstration Video

Here is a short video demonstrating the issue: Video: Incorrect Key Tips Announcement for the "Equation" Ribbon in Microsoft Word (4 minutes)

[brichwin]

I am marking this issue as validated/verified as it had come up for many meeting participants in our meetings.