Accessibility: Flutter-based Ubuntu 25.10 Installer Dropdown Menus Are Not Readable by Orca (Manual Disk Partitioning)

[MesterPerfect]

Ubuntu Support Template

Ubuntu Version:
25.10

Desktop Environment (if applicable):
GNOME (default Ubuntu Desktop)

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Problem Description:

I am experiencing a serious accessibility issue with the new Ubuntu installer, which is built using Flutter.

When using the installer with the Orca screen reader, dropdown menus are not readable or accessible, particularly in the manual disk partitioning section.

The problem occurs in multiple dropdown fields, including but not limited to:

• The filesystem type selector (e.g. ext4, xfs, etc.)
• The mount point selector (/, /home, swap, etc.)
• The unit selector for partition size (MB, GB, etc.)
• Disk selection dropdowns

Orca does not announce:

• The currently selected value
• The list of available options
• Any change when navigating the dropdown

As a result, a blind or visually impaired user cannot safely or independently perform manual disk partitioning, which is a critical step during installation.

This makes the Flutter-based installer effectively unusable for screen reader users in advanced installation scenarios.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Boot Ubuntu 25.10 installer
2. Enable Orca screen reader
3. Proceed with installation
4. Choose manual/custom disk partitioning
5. Focus any dropdown menu (filesystem type, mount point, size unit, disk selection)
6. Try to open or navigate the dropdown using keyboard and Orca

Expected result:
Orca should announce the dropdown, the currently selected item, and each option while navigating.

Actual result:
Dropdown menus are silent or partially silent. Orca does not read the content or state of the dropdowns.

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Relevant System Information:

• Screen reader: Orca (default version shipped with Ubuntu 25.10)
• Installer: New Flutter-based Ubuntu Installer
• Accessibility tools enabled from installer session
• Issue occurs consistently on fresh installer sessions

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Screenshots or Error Messages:

I will attach screenshots of the affected dropdown menus showing the UI elements that are not readable by Orca.

(No terminal error messages are shown, this appears to be a UI accessibility issue.)

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What I’ve Tried:

• Navigating dropdowns using keyboard only
• Using Orca in both browse and focus modes
• Restarting Orca during the installer session
• Rebooting and retrying the installation

None of these attempts resolved the issue.

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Before Posting:

I have searched for similar accessibility reports related to the new Flutter-based Ubuntu installer but did not find a resolved issue addressing dropdown menu accessibility in manual disk partitioning.

Please check if similar issues have already been reported and resolved.

[rubi1200]

Hi,

You need to file an issue here:

canonical/ubuntu-desktop-provision

There seem to be at least 3 Orca-related issues that were opened but it is not clear to me whether they were fully resolved or not.

Hope this helps.

[MesterPerfect]

Thanks for the replies.
I’ve opened a GitHub issue regarding this problem here:

Accessibility: Flutter-based Ubuntu Installer dropdown menus are not readable by Orca during manual disk partitioning

I haven’t received any response yet. Unfortunately, this seems to be a common situation with accessibility-related issues on their side.

[Norm24]

Just a heads up in your GitHub post under Ubuntu Release you have it as 24.10.

[MesterPerfect]

Thanks for the heads up.
The GitHub issue template dropdown currently only lists Ubuntu releases up to 24.10, so there was no option to select 25.10.
I suspect the 24.10 installer has the same dropdown accessibility problem as 25.10.

[MesterPerfect]

Update / Follow-up

I wanted to share an update on this issue and the steps I’ve taken since opening this topic.

I have now confirmed that the problem is still present in Ubuntu 26.04 (Resolute) daily build. When using the Flutter-based Ubuntu installer with Orca enabled, dropdown menus (especially during manual/custom disk partitioning) are not readable. Orca announces only the word “alert” instead of the control name or selected value, which makes manual partitioning unusable for blind users.

Based on the suggestions here, I have proceeded with the full official reporting process:

• The issue has been tested and confirmed on Ubuntu 26.04 daily.

• A Launchpad bug has been filed:
  https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu-desktop-provision/+bug/2138547

• The bug is also linked to the existing GitHub issue.

• I have recorded failed mandatory tests in the ISO QA Tracker for:

  • Install (manual partitioning)
  • Install (Screen Reader)

This confirms that the issue affects the current development release and, unless fixed, will impact the upcoming 26.04 LTS.

If anyone here has:

• ideas for a workaround,
• knowledge of similar issues in Flutter accessibility,
• or experience contributing fixes or testing accessibility in the Ubuntu installer,

I would really appreciate any additional input or guidance.

Thank you all for your time and support.