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#31391·curriculum

Semantic HTML: ORCA Screen Reader not behaving as expected on Google Chrome

Author: frostbite69425Created Sep 15, 2026Updated Sep 17, 2026

Checks

  • This is not a duplicate of an existing issue (please have a look through our open issues list to make sure)
  • I have thoroughly read and understand The Odin Project Contributing Guide
  • Would you like to work on this issue?

Describe your suggestion

In the Semantic HTML lesson, under the assignment section we are encouraged to try out a screen reader to understand how a11y works for someone using a screen reader. One of the options provided is Orca Screen Reader for the Linux users.

One of the problems faced by both me and another person is that the Orca modifier key does not register when a site is open in Google Chrome. This issue is not found when the same site is opened with Firefox. The page that I first encountered this problem on was the Orca Screen Reader Page when I was initilally going through this lesson myself and also on the Semantic HTML lesson page. During my initial experience, Orca wasn't announcing anything and the Orca modifier key refused to work inside of Google Chrome. These issues disappeared when I opened the same sites in Firefox and tried running Orca again.

When @ Chester8523 mentioned the same issue in the linked discord chat , I shared my personal experience and also tested out the same sites using Orca again. This time the headings and links were being announced but the modifier still isn't registered inside of Chrome and also the text that is neither a heading nor a link doesn't get announced by Orca

https://discord.com/channels/505093832157691914/505093832157691916/1549490583372963850

Path

Foundations, Node / JS

Lesson Url

https://www.theodinproject.com/lessons/node-path-advanced-html-and-css-semantic-html

(Optional) Discord Name

@fr0st13ite2

(Optional) Additional Comments

No response

Source: TheOdinProject/curriculum

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