diff --git a/common/lib/capa/capa/templates/jstextline.html b/common/lib/capa/capa/templates/jstextline.html
index 7e5fd94a4b..4ad798bd11 100644
--- a/common/lib/capa/capa/templates/jstextline.html
+++ b/common/lib/capa/capa/templates/jstextline.html
@@ -19,13 +19,21 @@
   % endif
 
   % if status == 'unsubmitted':
-  <span class="unanswered" style="display:inline-block;" id="status_${id}"></span>
+  <span class="unanswered" style="display:inline-block;" id="status_${id}" aria-describedby="input_${id}">
+    <span class="sr">Status: unanswered</span>
+  </span>
   % elif status == 'correct':
-  <span class="correct" id="status_${id}"></span>
+  <span class="correct" id="status_${id}" aria-describedby="input_${id}">
+    <span class="sr">Status: correct</span>
+  </span>
   % elif status == 'incorrect':
-  <span class="incorrect" id="status_${id}"></span>
+  <span class="incorrect" id="status_${id}" aria-describedby="input_${id}">
+    <span class="sr">Status: incorrect</span>
+  </span>
   % elif status == 'incomplete':
-  <span class="incorrect" id="status_${id}"></span>
+  <span class="incorrect" id="status_${id}" aria-describedby="input_${id}">
+    <span class="sr">Status: incorrect</span>
+  </span>
   % endif
   % if msg:
     <br/>