diff --git a/lib/widgets/action_sheet.dart b/lib/widgets/action_sheet.dart
index c56e41d5c2..73f1b10485 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/action_sheet.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/action_sheet.dart
@@ -255,7 +255,13 @@ class BottomSheetEmptyContentPlaceholder extends StatelessWidget {
     final designVariables = DesignVariables.of(context);
 
     final child = loading
-      ? CircularProgressIndicator()
+      ? Semantics(
+      textDirection: Directionality.of(context),
+      focusable: true,
+      liveRegion: true,
+      label: 'Loading…',
+      child: CircularProgressIndicator(),
+    )
       : Text(
           textAlign: TextAlign.center,
           style: TextStyle(
@@ -628,6 +634,8 @@ class ChannelFeedButton extends ActionSheetMenuItemButton {
   }
 }
 
+
+
 class CopyChannelLinkButton extends ActionSheetMenuItemButton {
   const CopyChannelLinkButton({
     super.key,
diff --git a/lib/widgets/home.dart b/lib/widgets/home.dart
index c74da27a86..4f4c54f70f 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/home.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/home.dart
@@ -246,7 +246,12 @@ class _LoadingPlaceholderPageState extends State<_LoadingPlaceholderPage> {
         child: Column(
           mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
           children: [
-            const CircularProgressIndicator(),
+            Semantics(
+              label: 'Loading…',
+              textDirection: Directionality.of(context),
+              liveRegion: true,
+              child:const CircularProgressIndicator(),
+            ),
             Visibility(
               visible: showTryAnotherAccount,
               maintainSize: true,
diff --git a/lib/widgets/message_list.dart b/lib/widgets/message_list.dart
index 7ff3d395b8..9b9eff7493 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/message_list.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/message_list.dart
@@ -1029,7 +1029,20 @@ class _MessageListState extends State<MessageList> with PerAccountStoreAwareStat
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     final zulipLocalizations = ZulipLocalizations.of(context);
 
-    if (!model.fetched) return const Center(child: CircularProgressIndicator());
+    if (!model.fetched) {
+      return Center(
+        child: Padding(
+          padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(vertical: 16.0),
+          child: Semantics(
+            label: 'Loading more messages',
+            textDirection: Directionality.of(context),
+            liveRegion: true,
+            child: const CircularProgressIndicator(),
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+    }
+
 
     if (model.items.isEmpty && model.haveNewest && model.haveOldest) {
       final String header;
@@ -1283,10 +1296,18 @@ class _MessageListLoadingMore extends StatelessWidget {
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
-    return const Center(
+    return Center(
       child: Padding(
-        padding: EdgeInsets.symmetric(vertical: 16.0),
-        child: CircularProgressIndicator())); // TODO perhaps a different indicator
+        padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(vertical: 16.0),
+        child: Semantics(
+          textDirection: Directionality.of(context),
+          label: 'Loading more messages',
+          liveRegion: true,
+          child: const CircularProgressIndicator(),
+        ),
+      ),
+    );
+    // TODO perhaps a different indicator
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/widgets/topic_list.dart b/lib/widgets/topic_list.dart
index 846f2202f7..d631d7298a 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/topic_list.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/topic_list.dart
@@ -166,9 +166,21 @@ class _TopicListState extends State<_TopicList> with PerAccountStoreAwareStateMi
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     if (lastFetchedTopics == null) {
-      return const Center(child: CircularProgressIndicator());
+      return Center(
+        child: Padding(
+          padding: const EdgeInsets.symmetric(vertical: 16.0),
+          child: Semantics(
+            textDirection: Directionality.of(context),
+            label: 'Loading…',       // plain string (not localized)
+            liveRegion: true,
+            child: CircularProgressIndicator(),
+          ),
+        ),
+      );
+
     }
 
+
     // TODO(design) handle the rare case when `lastFetchedTopics` is empty
 
     // This is adapted from parts of the build method on [_InboxPageState].
diff --git a/test/widgets/home_test.dart b/test/widgets/home_test.dart
index 239449c990..3de9e39939 100644
--- a/test/widgets/home_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/home_test.dart
@@ -397,117 +397,165 @@ void main () {
     }
 
     testWidgets('smoke', (tester) async {
-      addTearDown(testBinding.reset);
-      testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
-      await prepare(tester);
-      await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration);
-      checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: eg.selfAccount);
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      try {
+        addTearDown(testBinding.reset);
+        testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
+        await prepare(tester);
+
+        // While loading, the loading page should be shown and have the semantics label.
+        checkOnLoadingPage();
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel('Loading…'), findsOneWidget);
+
+        await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration);
+        checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: eg.selfAccount);
+      } finally {
+        semanticsHandle.dispose();
+      }
     });
 
-    testWidgets('"Try another account" button appears after timeout', (tester) async {
-      addTearDown(testBinding.reset);
-      testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
-      await prepare(tester);
-      checkOnLoadingPage();
-      check(find.text('Try another account').hitTestable()).findsNothing();
-
-      await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
-      checkOnLoadingPage();
-      check(find.text('Try another account').hitTestable()).findsOne();
 
-      await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration);
-      checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: eg.selfAccount);
+    testWidgets('"Try another account" button appears after timeout', (tester) async {
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      try {
+        addTearDown(testBinding.reset);
+        testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
+        await prepare(tester);
+        checkOnLoadingPage();
+        // No try-another button immediately.
+        check(find.text('Try another account').hitTestable()).findsNothing();
+
+        // The loading semantics should already be present.
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel('Loading…'), findsOneWidget);
+
+        await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
+        checkOnLoadingPage();
+        check(find.text('Try another account').hitTestable()).findsOne();
+
+        await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration);
+        checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: eg.selfAccount);
+      } finally {
+        semanticsHandle.dispose();
+      }
     });
 
-    testWidgets('while loading, go back from ChooseAccountPage', (tester) async {
-      testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
-      await prepare(tester);
-      await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
-      await tapTryAnotherAccount(tester);
 
-      lastPoppedRoute = null;
-      await tester.tap(find.byType(BackButton));
-      await tester.pump();
-      check(lastPoppedRoute).isA<MaterialWidgetRoute>().page.isA<ChooseAccountPage>();
-      await tester.pump(
-        (lastPoppedRoute as TransitionRoute).reverseTransitionDuration
-        // TODO not sure why a 1ms fudge is needed; investigate.
-        + Duration(milliseconds: 1));
-      checkOnLoadingPage();
-
-      await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration);
-      checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: eg.selfAccount);
+    testWidgets('while loading, go back from ChooseAccountPage', (tester) async {
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      try {
+        testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
+        await prepare(tester);
+        await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
+        await tapTryAnotherAccount(tester);
+
+        lastPoppedRoute = null;
+        await tester.tap(find.byType(BackButton));
+        await tester.pump();
+        check(lastPoppedRoute).isA<MaterialWidgetRoute>().page.isA<ChooseAccountPage>();
+        await tester.pump(
+            (lastPoppedRoute as TransitionRoute).reverseTransitionDuration
+                // TODO not sure why a 1ms fudge is needed; investigate.
+                + Duration(milliseconds: 1));
+        checkOnLoadingPage();
+
+        // Semantics check: loading label present
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel('Loading…'), findsOneWidget);
+
+        await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration);
+        checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: eg.selfAccount);
+      } finally {
+        semanticsHandle.dispose();
+      }
     });
 
-    testWidgets('while loading, choose a different account', (tester) async {
-      testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
-      await prepare(tester);
-      await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
-      await tapTryAnotherAccount(tester);
 
-      testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration * 2;
-      await chooseAccountWithEmail(tester, eg.otherAccount.email);
-
-      await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration);
-      // The second loadPerAccount is still pending.
-      checkOnLoadingPage();
-
-      await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration);
-      // The second loadPerAccount finished.
-      checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: eg.otherAccount);
+    testWidgets('while loading, choose a different account', (tester) async {
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      try {
+        testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
+        await prepare(tester);
+        await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
+        await tapTryAnotherAccount(tester);
+
+        testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration * 2;
+        await chooseAccountWithEmail(tester, eg.otherAccount.email);
+
+        // While the second account is still loading, we should be on a loading page.
+        await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration);
+        checkOnLoadingPage();
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel('Loading…'), findsOneWidget);
+
+        await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration);
+        // The second load finished.
+        checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: eg.otherAccount);
+      } finally {
+        semanticsHandle.dispose();
+      }
     });
 
-    testWidgets('while loading, choosing an account disallows going back', (tester) async {
-      testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
-      await prepare(tester);
-      await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
-      await tapTryAnotherAccount(tester);
-
-      // While still loading, choose a different account.
-      await chooseAccountWithEmail(tester, eg.otherAccount.email);
 
-      // User cannot go back because the navigator stack
-      // was cleared after choosing an account.
-      check(getRouteOf(tester, find.byType(CircularProgressIndicator)))
-        .isNotNull().isFirst.isTrue();
-
-      await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration); // wait for loadPerAccount
-      checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: eg.otherAccount);
+    testWidgets('while loading, choosing an account disallows going back', (tester) async {
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      try {
+        testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
+        await prepare(tester);
+        await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
+        await tapTryAnotherAccount(tester);
+
+        // While still loading, choose a different account.
+        await chooseAccountWithEmail(tester, eg.otherAccount.email);
+
+        // User cannot go back because the navigator stack was cleared after choosing an account.
+        check(getRouteOf(tester, find.byType(CircularProgressIndicator)))
+            .isNotNull().isFirst.isTrue();
+
+        // Semantics check: ensure loading label present and first route is our account route.
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel('Loading…'), findsOneWidget);
+
+        await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration); // wait for loadPerAccount
+        checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: eg.otherAccount);
+      } finally {
+        semanticsHandle.dispose();
+      }
     });
 
-    testWidgets('while loading, go to nested levels of ChooseAccountPage', (tester) async {
-      testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
-      final thirdAccount = eg.account(user: eg.thirdUser);
-      await testBinding.globalStore.add(thirdAccount, eg.initialSnapshot(
-        realmUsers: [eg.thirdUser]));
-      await prepare(tester);
 
-      await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
-      // While still loading the first account, choose a different account.
-      await tapTryAnotherAccount(tester);
-      await chooseAccountWithEmail(tester, eg.otherAccount.email);
-      // User cannot go back because the navigator stack
-      // was cleared after choosing an account.
-      check(getRouteOf(tester, find.byType(CircularProgressIndicator)))
-        .isA<MaterialAccountWidgetRoute>()
+    testWidgets('while loading, go to nested levels of ChooseAccountPage', (tester) async {
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      try {
+        testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
+        final thirdAccount = eg.account(user: eg.thirdUser);
+        await testBinding.globalStore.add(thirdAccount, eg.initialSnapshot(
+            realmUsers: [eg.thirdUser]));
+        await prepare(tester);
+
+        await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
+        await tapTryAnotherAccount(tester);
+        await chooseAccountWithEmail(tester, eg.otherAccount.email);
+        check(getRouteOf(tester, find.byType(CircularProgressIndicator)))
+            .isA<MaterialAccountWidgetRoute>()
           ..isFirst.isTrue()
           ..accountId.equals(eg.otherAccount.id);
 
-      await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
-      // While still loading the second account, choose a different account.
-      await tapTryAnotherAccount(tester);
-      await chooseAccountWithEmail(tester, thirdAccount.email);
-      // User cannot go back because the navigator stack
-      // was cleared after choosing an account.
-      check(getRouteOf(tester, find.byType(CircularProgressIndicator)))
-        .isA<MaterialAccountWidgetRoute>()
+        // Semantics check: loading label present
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel('Loading…'), findsOneWidget);
+
+        await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
+        await tapTryAnotherAccount(tester);
+        await chooseAccountWithEmail(tester, thirdAccount.email);
+        check(getRouteOf(tester, find.byType(CircularProgressIndicator)))
+            .isA<MaterialAccountWidgetRoute>()
           ..isFirst.isTrue()
           ..accountId.equals(thirdAccount.id);
 
-      await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration); // wait for loadPerAccount
-      checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: thirdAccount);
+        await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration); // wait for loadPerAccount
+        checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: thirdAccount);
+      } finally {
+        semanticsHandle.dispose();
+      }
     });
 
+
     testWidgets('after finishing loading, go back from ChooseAccountPage', (tester) async {
       testBinding.globalStore.loadPerAccountDuration = loadPerAccountDuration;
       await prepare(tester);
diff --git a/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart b/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart
index 89b2a31bd8..2f2ba9804f 100644
--- a/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart
@@ -826,54 +826,70 @@ void main() {
 
     testWidgets('spacer when have newest', (tester) async {
       final messages = List.generate(10,
-        (i) => eg.streamMessage(content: '<p>message $i</p>'));
+              (i) => eg.streamMessage(content: '<p>message $i</p>'));
       await setupMessageListPage(tester, narrow: CombinedFeedNarrow(),
-        fetchResult: eg.nearGetMessagesResult(anchor: messages.last.id,
-          foundOldest: true, foundNewest: true, messages: messages));
+          fetchResult: eg.nearGetMessagesResult(anchor: messages.last.id,
+              foundOldest: true, foundNewest: true, messages: messages));
       check(findMessageListScrollController(tester)!.position)
-        .extentAfter.equals(0);
+          .extentAfter.equals(0);
 
       // There's no loading indicator.
       check(findLoadingIndicator).findsNothing();
       // The last message is spaced above the bottom of the viewport.
       check(tester.getRect(find.text('message 9')))
-        .bottom..isGreaterThan(400)..isLessThan(570);
+          .bottom..isGreaterThan(400)..isLessThan(570);
+
+      // --- Semantics check: ensure loading semantics label is not present ---
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      try {
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel('Loading more messages'), findsNothing);
+      } finally {
+        semanticsHandle.dispose();
+      }
     });
 
+
     testWidgets('loading indicator displaces spacer etc.', (tester) async {
-      await setupMessageListPage(tester, narrow: CombinedFeedNarrow(),
-        skipPumpAndSettle: true,
-        // TODO(#1569) fix realism of this data: foundNewest false should mean
-        //   some messages found after anchor (and then we might need to scroll
-        //   to cause fetching newer messages).
-        fetchResult: eg.nearGetMessagesResult(anchor: 1000,
-          foundOldest: true, foundNewest: false,
-          messages: List.generate(10,
-            (i) => eg.streamMessage(id: 100 + i, content: '<p>message $i</p>'))));
-      await tester.pump();
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      try {
+        await setupMessageListPage(tester, narrow: CombinedFeedNarrow(),
+            skipPumpAndSettle: true,
+            // TODO(#1569) fix realism of this data: foundNewest false should mean
+            //   some messages found after anchor (and then we might need to scroll
+            //   to cause fetching newer messages).
+            fetchResult: eg.nearGetMessagesResult(anchor: 1000,
+                foundOldest: true, foundNewest: false,
+                messages: List.generate(10,
+                        (i) => eg.streamMessage(id: 100 + i, content: '<p>message $i</p>'))));
+        await tester.pump();
 
-      // The message list will immediately start fetching newer messages.
-      connection.prepare(json: eg.newerGetMessagesResult(
-        anchor: 109, foundNewest: true, messages: List.generate(100,
-          (i) => eg.streamMessage(id: 110 + i))).toJson());
-      await tester.pump(Duration(milliseconds: 10));
-      await tester.pump();
+        // The message list will immediately start fetching newer messages.
+        connection.prepare(json: eg.newerGetMessagesResult(
+            anchor: 109, foundNewest: true, messages: List.generate(100,
+                (i) => eg.streamMessage(id: 110 + i))).toJson());
+        await tester.pump(Duration(milliseconds: 10));
+        await tester.pump();
 
-      // There's a loading indicator.
-      check(findLoadingIndicator).findsOne();
-      // It's at the bottom.
-      check(findMessageListScrollController(tester)!.position)
-        .extentAfter.equals(0);
-      final loadingIndicatorRect = tester.getRect(findLoadingIndicator);
-      check(loadingIndicatorRect).bottom.isGreaterThan(575);
-      // The last message is shortly above it; no spacer or anything else.
-      check(tester.getRect(find.text('message 9')))
-        .bottom.isGreaterThan(loadingIndicatorRect.top - 36); // TODO(#1569) where's this space going?
-      await tester.pumpAndSettle();
+        // There's a loading indicator.
+        check(findLoadingIndicator).findsOne();
+        // It's at the bottom.
+        check(findMessageListScrollController(tester)!.position)
+            .extentAfter.equals(0);
+        final loadingIndicatorRect = tester.getRect(findLoadingIndicator);
+        check(loadingIndicatorRect).bottom.isGreaterThan(575);
+        // The last message is shortly above it; no spacer or anything else.
+        check(tester.getRect(find.text('message 9')))
+            .bottom.isGreaterThan(loadingIndicatorRect.top - 36); // TODO(#1569)
+
+        // --- Semantics check: ensure the loading indicator exposes the expected label ---
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel('Loading more messages'), findsOneWidget);
+
+        await tester.pumpAndSettle();
+      } finally {
+        semanticsHandle.dispose();
+      }
     });
 
-    // TODO(#1569) test no typing status or mark-read button when not haveNewest
-    //   (even without loading indicator)
   });
 
   group('TypingStatusWidget', () {
diff --git a/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart b/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart
index 1cd9c4bb26..049495b6eb 100644
--- a/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ void main() {
     await store.addSubscription(eg.subscription(channel));
     for (final userTopic in userTopics) {
       await store.setUserTopic(
-        channel, userTopic.topicName.apiName, userTopic.visibilityPolicy);
+          channel, userTopic.topicName.apiName, userTopic.visibilityPolicy);
     }
     topics ??= [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry()];
     messages ??= [eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: topics.first.name.apiName)];
@@ -51,8 +51,8 @@ void main() {
 
     connection.prepare(json: GetStreamTopicsResult(topics: topics).toJson());
     await tester.pumpWidget(TestZulipApp(
-      accountId: eg.selfAccount.id,
-      child: TopicListPage(streamId: channel.streamId)));
+        accountId: eg.selfAccount.id,
+        child: TopicListPage(streamId: channel.streamId)));
     await tester.pump();
     await tester.pump(Duration.zero);
     check(connection.takeRequests()).single.isA<http.Request>()
@@ -69,10 +69,10 @@ void main() {
       final channel = eg.stream();
 
       (store.connection as FakeApiConnection).prepare(
-        json: GetStreamTopicsResult(topics: []).toJson());
+          json: GetStreamTopicsResult(topics: []).toJson());
       await tester.pumpWidget(TestZulipApp(
-        accountId: eg.selfAccount.id,
-        child: TopicListPage(streamId: channel.streamId)));
+          accountId: eg.selfAccount.id,
+          child: TopicListPage(streamId: channel.streamId)));
       await tester.pump();
       await tester.pump(Duration.zero);
       check(find.widgetWithText(ZulipAppBar, '(unknown channel)')).findsOne();
@@ -83,20 +83,20 @@ void main() {
       await prepare(tester, channel: channel);
 
       connection.prepare(json: eg.newestGetMessagesResult(
-        foundOldest: true, messages: [eg.streamMessage(stream: channel)]).toJson());
+          foundOldest: true, messages: [eg.streamMessage(stream: channel)]).toJson());
       await tester.tap(find.byIcon(ZulipIcons.message_feed));
       await tester.pump();
       await tester.pump(Duration.zero);
       check(find.descendant(
-        of: find.byType(MessageListPage),
-        matching: find.text('channel foo')),
+          of: find.byType(MessageListPage),
+          matching: find.text('channel foo')),
       ).findsOne();
     });
 
     testWidgets('show channel action sheet', (tester) async {
       final channel = eg.stream(name: 'channel foo');
       await prepare(tester, channel: channel,
-        messages: [eg.streamMessage(stream: channel)]);
+          messages: [eg.streamMessage(stream: channel)]);
 
       await tester.longPress(find.text('channel foo'));
       await tester.pump(Duration(milliseconds: 100)); // bottom-sheet animation
@@ -114,14 +114,27 @@ void main() {
       json: GetStreamTopicsResult(topics: []).toJson(),
       delay: Duration(seconds: 1),
     );
-    await tester.pumpWidget(TestZulipApp(
-      accountId: eg.selfAccount.id,
-      child: TopicListPage(streamId: channel.streamId)));
-    await tester.pump();
-    check(find.byType(CircularProgressIndicator)).findsOne();
 
-    await tester.pump(Duration(seconds: 1));
-    check(find.byType(CircularProgressIndicator)).findsNothing();
+    // Enable semantics for this test so we can assert the accessibility label.
+    final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+    try {
+      await tester.pumpWidget(TestZulipApp(
+          accountId: eg.selfAccount.id,
+          child: TopicListPage(streamId: channel.streamId)));
+      await tester.pump();
+      // Visual indicator present
+      check(find.byType(CircularProgressIndicator)).findsOne();
+      // Semantics label should be discoverable while loading.
+      expect(find.bySemanticsLabel('Loading…'), findsOneWidget);
+
+      await tester.pump(Duration(seconds: 1));
+      // Visual indicator gone after load completes
+      check(find.byType(CircularProgressIndicator)).findsNothing();
+      // Semantics label should also be gone.
+      expect(find.bySemanticsLabel('Loading…'), findsNothing);
+    } finally {
+      semanticsHandle.dispose();
+    }
   });
 
   testWidgets('fetch again when navigating away and back', (tester) async {
@@ -133,15 +146,15 @@ void main() {
 
     // Start from a message list page in a channel narrow.
     connection.prepare(json: eg.newestGetMessagesResult(
-      foundOldest: true, messages: []).toJson());
+        foundOldest: true, messages: []).toJson());
     await tester.pumpWidget(TestZulipApp(
-      accountId: eg.selfAccount.id,
-      child: MessageListPage(initNarrow: ChannelNarrow(channel.streamId))));
+        accountId: eg.selfAccount.id,
+        child: MessageListPage(initNarrow: ChannelNarrow(channel.streamId))));
     await tester.pump();
 
     // Tap "TOPICS" button navigating to the topic-list page…
     connection.prepare(json: GetStreamTopicsResult(
-      topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic A')]).toJson());
+        topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic A')]).toJson());
     await tester.tap(find.byIcon(ZulipIcons.topics));
     await tester.pump();
     await tester.pump(Duration.zero);
@@ -153,7 +166,7 @@ void main() {
 
     // … then back to the topic-list page, expecting to fetch again.
     connection.prepare(json: GetStreamTopicsResult(
-      topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic B')]).toJson());
+        topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic B')]).toJson());
     await tester.tap(find.byIcon(ZulipIcons.topics));
     await tester.pump();
     await tester.pump(Duration.zero);
@@ -162,17 +175,17 @@ void main() {
   });
 
   Finder topicItemFinder = find.descendant(
-    of: find.byType(ListView),
-    matching: find.byType(Material));
+      of: find.byType(ListView),
+      matching: find.byType(Material));
 
   Finder findInTopicItemAt(int index, Finder finder) => find.descendant(
-    of: topicItemFinder.at(index),
-    matching: finder);
+      of: topicItemFinder.at(index),
+      matching: finder);
 
   testWidgets('show topic action sheet', (tester) async {
     final channel = eg.stream();
     await prepare(tester, channel: channel,
-      topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic foo')]);
+        topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic foo')]);
     await tester.longPress(topicItemFinder);
     await tester.pump(Duration(milliseconds: 150)); // bottom-sheet animation
 
@@ -215,11 +228,11 @@ void main() {
 
     check(findInTopicItemAt(0, find.text('resolved'))).findsOne();
     check(findInTopicItemAt(0, find.byIcon(ZulipIcons.check).hitTestable()))
-      .findsOne();
+        .findsOne();
 
     check(findInTopicItemAt(1, find.text('unresolved'))).findsOne();
     check(findInTopicItemAt(1, find.byType(Icon)).hitTestable())
-      .findsNothing();
+        .findsNothing();
   });
 
   testWidgets('handle empty topics', (tester) async {
@@ -227,52 +240,52 @@ void main() {
       eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: ''),
     ]);
     check(findInTopicItemAt(0,
-      find.text(eg.defaultRealmEmptyTopicDisplayName))).findsOne();
+        find.text(eg.defaultRealmEmptyTopicDisplayName))).findsOne();
   });
 
   group('unreads', () {
     testWidgets('muted and non-muted topics', (tester) async {
       final channel = eg.stream();
       await prepare(tester, channel: channel,
-        topics: [
-          eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(maxId: 2, name: 'muted'),
-          eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(maxId: 1, name: 'non-muted'),
-        ],
-        userTopics: [
-          eg.userTopicItem(channel, 'muted', UserTopicVisibilityPolicy.muted),
-        ],
-        messages: [
-          eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'muted'),
-          eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'non-muted'),
-          eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'non-muted'),
-        ]);
+          topics: [
+            eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(maxId: 2, name: 'muted'),
+            eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(maxId: 1, name: 'non-muted'),
+          ],
+          userTopics: [
+            eg.userTopicItem(channel, 'muted', UserTopicVisibilityPolicy.muted),
+          ],
+          messages: [
+            eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'muted'),
+            eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'non-muted'),
+            eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'non-muted'),
+          ]);
 
       check(findInTopicItemAt(0, find.text('1'))).findsOne();
       check(findInTopicItemAt(0, find.text('muted'))).findsOne();
       check(findInTopicItemAt(0, find.byIcon(ZulipIcons.mute).hitTestable()))
-        .findsOne();
+          .findsOne();
 
       check(findInTopicItemAt(1, find.text('2'))).findsOne();
       check(findInTopicItemAt(1, find.text('non-muted'))).findsOne();
       check(findInTopicItemAt(1, find.byType(Icon).hitTestable()))
-        .findsNothing();
+          .findsNothing();
     });
 
     testWidgets('with and without unread mentions', (tester) async {
       final channel = eg.stream();
       await prepare(tester, channel: channel,
-        topics: [
-          eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(maxId: 2, name: 'not mentioned'),
-          eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(maxId: 1, name: 'mentioned'),
-        ],
-        messages: [
-          eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'not mentioned'),
-          eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'not mentioned'),
-          eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'not mentioned',
-            flags: [MessageFlag.mentioned, MessageFlag.read]),
-          eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'mentioned',
-            flags: [MessageFlag.mentioned]),
-        ]);
+          topics: [
+            eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(maxId: 2, name: 'not mentioned'),
+            eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(maxId: 1, name: 'mentioned'),
+          ],
+          messages: [
+            eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'not mentioned'),
+            eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'not mentioned'),
+            eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'not mentioned',
+                flags: [MessageFlag.mentioned, MessageFlag.read]),
+            eg.streamMessage(stream: channel, topic: 'mentioned',
+                flags: [MessageFlag.mentioned]),
+          ]);
 
       check(findInTopicItemAt(0, find.text('2'))).findsOne();
       check(findInTopicItemAt(0, find.text('not mentioned'))).findsOne();
@@ -288,43 +301,43 @@ void main() {
     testWidgets('default', (tester) async {
       final channel = eg.stream();
       await prepare(tester, channel: channel,
-        topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic')]);
+          topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic')]);
 
       check(find.descendant(of: topicItemFinder,
-        matching: find.byType(Icons))).findsNothing();
+          matching: find.byType(Icons))).findsNothing();
     });
 
     testWidgets('muted', (tester) async {
       final channel = eg.stream();
       await prepare(tester, channel: channel,
-        topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic')],
-        userTopics: [
-          eg.userTopicItem(channel, 'topic', UserTopicVisibilityPolicy.muted),
-        ]);
+          topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic')],
+          userTopics: [
+            eg.userTopicItem(channel, 'topic', UserTopicVisibilityPolicy.muted),
+          ]);
       check(find.descendant(of: topicItemFinder,
-        matching: find.byIcon(ZulipIcons.mute))).findsOne();
+          matching: find.byIcon(ZulipIcons.mute))).findsOne();
     });
 
     testWidgets('unmuted', (tester) async {
       final channel = eg.stream();
       await prepare(tester, channel: channel,
-        topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic')],
-        userTopics: [
-          eg.userTopicItem(channel, 'topic', UserTopicVisibilityPolicy.unmuted),
-        ]);
+          topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic')],
+          userTopics: [
+            eg.userTopicItem(channel, 'topic', UserTopicVisibilityPolicy.unmuted),
+          ]);
       check(find.descendant(of: topicItemFinder,
-        matching: find.byIcon(ZulipIcons.unmute))).findsOne();
+          matching: find.byIcon(ZulipIcons.unmute))).findsOne();
     });
 
     testWidgets('followed', (tester) async {
       final channel = eg.stream();
       await prepare(tester, channel: channel,
-        topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic')],
-        userTopics: [
-          eg.userTopicItem(channel, 'topic', UserTopicVisibilityPolicy.followed),
-        ]);
+          topics: [eg.getStreamTopicsEntry(name: 'topic')],
+          userTopics: [
+            eg.userTopicItem(channel, 'topic', UserTopicVisibilityPolicy.followed),
+          ]);
       check(find.descendant(of: topicItemFinder,
-        matching: find.byIcon(ZulipIcons.follow))).findsOne();
+          matching: find.byIcon(ZulipIcons.follow))).findsOne();
     });
   });
 }