diff --git a/assets/l10n/app_en.arb b/assets/l10n/app_en.arb
index 2b3622387b..ed24c820a5 100644
--- a/assets/l10n/app_en.arb
+++ b/assets/l10n/app_en.arb
@@ -1488,5 +1488,9 @@
   "zulipAppTitle": "Zulip",
   "@zulipAppTitle": {
     "description": "The name of Zulip. This should be either 'Zulip' or a transliteration."
-  }
+  },
+  "loading": "Loading…",
+  "@loading": {
+      "description": "Semantic label for a loading indicator"
+    }
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart
index 3cf5ddc85d..35c2bffce7 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart
@@ -2156,6 +2156,12 @@ abstract class ZulipLocalizations {
   /// In en, this message translates to:
   /// **'Zulip'**
   String get zulipAppTitle;
+
+  /// Semantic label for a loading indicator
+  ///
+  /// In en, this message translates to:
+  /// **'Loading…'**
+  String get loading;
 }
 
 class _ZulipLocalizationsDelegate
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ar.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ar.dart
index 27189bbb11..cfb28ca6d2 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ar.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ar.dart
@@ -1242,4 +1242,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsAr extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_de.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_de.dart
index 4caa2a8082..cef75454b6 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_de.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_de.dart
@@ -1268,4 +1268,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsDe extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_el.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_el.dart
index 670a442e87..198d677c77 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_el.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_el.dart
@@ -1242,4 +1242,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsEl extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_en.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_en.dart
index b2fbfcb72f..91af591f21 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_en.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_en.dart
@@ -1242,6 +1242,9 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsEn extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
 
 /// The translations for English, as used in the United Kingdom (`en_GB`).
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_es.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_es.dart
index f3ee9284e9..1132ad0e49 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_es.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_es.dart
@@ -1242,4 +1242,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsEs extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_fr.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_fr.dart
index 32cb94bf82..4322b3df02 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_fr.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_fr.dart
@@ -1258,4 +1258,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsFr extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_he.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_he.dart
index 37dc15e7e4..105c0dbd3c 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_he.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_he.dart
@@ -1242,4 +1242,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsHe extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_hu.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_hu.dart
index 44404f1955..7d4461c88a 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_hu.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_hu.dart
@@ -1242,4 +1242,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsHu extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_it.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_it.dart
index 1533008103..fe76101960 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_it.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_it.dart
@@ -1262,4 +1262,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsIt extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ja.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ja.dart
index 6465223b8a..89d0d92793 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ja.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ja.dart
@@ -1216,4 +1216,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsJa extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_nb.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_nb.dart
index cfcc46ebb6..561b81aa3c 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_nb.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_nb.dart
@@ -1242,4 +1242,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsNb extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_pl.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_pl.dart
index e12fe1aeb2..b02140342a 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_pl.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_pl.dart
@@ -1261,4 +1261,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsPl extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ru.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ru.dart
index f2a9f0561e..cc723f8009 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ru.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_ru.dart
@@ -1274,4 +1274,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsRu extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sk.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sk.dart
index b28622eb3e..c4e4ab190a 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sk.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sk.dart
@@ -1244,4 +1244,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsSk extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sl.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sl.dart
index 10dc8727cd..454e0967ff 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sl.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_sl.dart
@@ -1283,4 +1283,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsSl extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_uk.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_uk.dart
index e2872b11a0..5e8e75e378 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_uk.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_uk.dart
@@ -1263,4 +1263,7 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsUk extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
diff --git a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_zh.dart b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_zh.dart
index e05f76bee3..5c03da5597 100644
--- a/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_zh.dart
+++ b/lib/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations_zh.dart
@@ -1242,6 +1242,9 @@ class ZulipLocalizationsZh extends ZulipLocalizations {
 
   @override
   String get zulipAppTitle => 'Zulip';
+
+  @override
+  String get loading => 'Loading…';
 }
 
 /// The translations for Chinese, as used in China, using the Han script (`zh_Hans_CN`).
diff --git a/lib/widgets/action_sheet.dart b/lib/widgets/action_sheet.dart
index c56e41d5c2..b13eca493c 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/action_sheet.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/action_sheet.dart
@@ -253,10 +253,13 @@ class BottomSheetEmptyContentPlaceholder extends StatelessWidget {
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     final designVariables = DesignVariables.of(context);
-
-    final child = loading
-      ? CircularProgressIndicator()
-      : Text(
+    final zulipLocalizations = ZulipLocalizations.of(context);
+    final child = loading ? Semantics(
+      label:zulipLocalizations.loading ,
+      liveRegion: true,
+      focusable: true,
+      child: CircularProgressIndicator())
+        : Text(
           textAlign: TextAlign.center,
           style: TextStyle(
             color: designVariables.labelSearchPrompt,
diff --git a/lib/widgets/home.dart b/lib/widgets/home.dart
index 3c0a58d6ee..8b95e1ddad 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/home.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/home.dart
@@ -248,7 +248,11 @@ class _LoadingPlaceholderPageState extends State<_LoadingPlaceholderPage> {
         child: Column(
           mainAxisSize: MainAxisSize.min,
           children: [
-            const CircularProgressIndicator(),
+            Semantics(
+              label: zulipLocalizations.loading,
+              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 e5239ec453..903164da32 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/message_list.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/message_list.dart
@@ -1027,7 +1027,15 @@ class _MessageListState extends State<MessageList> with PerAccountStoreAwareStat
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
-    if (!model.fetched) return const Center(child: CircularProgressIndicator());
+    final zulipLocalizations = ZulipLocalizations.of(context);
+
+    if (!model.fetched) {
+      return Center(
+          child: Semantics(
+            label: zulipLocalizations.loading,
+            liveRegion: true,
+            child: const CircularProgressIndicator()));
+    }
 
     if (model.items.isEmpty && model.haveNewest && model.haveOldest) {
       return _EmptyMessageListPlaceholder(narrow: widget.narrow);
@@ -1366,10 +1374,12 @@ class _MessageListLoadingMore extends StatelessWidget {
 
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
-    return const Center(
-      child: Padding(
-        padding: EdgeInsets.symmetric(vertical: 16.0),
-        child: CircularProgressIndicator())); // TODO perhaps a different indicator
+    final zulipLocalizations = ZulipLocalizations.of(context);
+    return Center(
+        child: Semantics(
+          label: zulipLocalizations.loading,
+          liveRegion: true,
+          child: CircularProgressIndicator())); // TODO perhaps a different indicator
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/lib/widgets/topic_list.dart b/lib/widgets/topic_list.dart
index 846f2202f7..861cb43e98 100644
--- a/lib/widgets/topic_list.dart
+++ b/lib/widgets/topic_list.dart
@@ -166,7 +166,13 @@ class _TopicListState extends State<_TopicList> with PerAccountStoreAwareStateMi
   @override
   Widget build(BuildContext context) {
     if (lastFetchedTopics == null) {
-      return const Center(child: CircularProgressIndicator());
+      final zulipLocalizations = ZulipLocalizations.of(context);
+
+      return Center(
+          child: Semantics(
+            label: zulipLocalizations.loading,
+            liveRegion: true,
+            child: CircularProgressIndicator()));
     }
 
     // TODO(design) handle the rare case when `lastFetchedTopics` is empty
diff --git a/test/widgets/home_test.dart b/test/widgets/home_test.dart
index 84475108ea..e82cea3ac7 100644
--- a/test/widgets/home_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/home_test.dart
@@ -18,6 +18,7 @@ import 'package:zulip/widgets/page.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/widgets/profile.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/widgets/subscription_list.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/widgets/theme.dart';
+import 'package:zulip/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart';
 
 import '../api/fake_api.dart';
 import '../example_data.dart' as eg;
@@ -422,115 +423,170 @@ 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();
+      final zulipLocalizations= await ZulipLocalizations.delegate.load(const Locale('en'));
+      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(zulipLocalizations.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);
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      final zulipLocalizations = await ZulipLocalizations.delegate.load(const Locale('en'));
+      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(zulipLocalizations.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
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      final zulipLocalizations = await ZulipLocalizations.delegate.load(const Locale('en'));
+      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();
+        checkOnLoadingPage();
 
-      await tester.pump(loadPerAccountDuration);
-      checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: eg.selfAccount);
+        // Semantics check: loading label present
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel(zulipLocalizations.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);
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      final zulipLocalizations = await ZulipLocalizations.delegate.load(const Locale('en'));
+      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(zulipLocalizations.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);
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      final zulipLocalizations = await ZulipLocalizations.delegate.load(const Locale('en'));
+      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(zulipLocalizations.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>()
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      final zulipLocalizations = await ZulipLocalizations.delegate.load(const Locale('en'));
+      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);
+
+        // While loading the first account, navigate to ChooseAccountPage
+        // and select a different account.
+        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: loading label should appear during the account switch.
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel(zulipLocalizations.loading), findsOneWidget);
+
+        await tester.pump(kTryAnotherAccountWaitPeriod);
+
+        // While loading the second account, navigate again and select a third account.
+        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); // Finish loading the third account.
+        checkOnHomePage(tester, expectedAccount: thirdAccount);
+      } finally {
+        semanticsHandle.dispose();
+      }
     });
 
     testWidgets('after finishing loading, go back from ChooseAccountPage', (tester) async {
diff --git a/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart b/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart
index 91a5e33ba1..885cb7d382 100644
--- a/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/message_list_test.dart
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ import 'package:zulip/widgets/channel_colors.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/widgets/theme.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/widgets/topic_list.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/widgets/user.dart';
+import 'package:zulip/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart';
 
 import '../api/fake_api.dart';
 import '../example_data.dart' as eg;
@@ -1048,19 +1049,30 @@ void main() {
       // The last message is spaced above the bottom of the viewport.
       check(tester.getRect(find.text('message 9')))
         .bottom..isGreaterThan(400)..isLessThan(570);
+
+      // Semantics check: ensure loading semantics label is not present
+      final SemanticsHandle semanticsHandle = tester.ensureSemantics();
+      final zulipLocalizations = await ZulipLocalizations.delegate.load(const Locale('en'));
+      try {
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel(zulipLocalizations.loading), 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(
@@ -1079,7 +1091,13 @@ void main() {
       // 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();
+        //Semantics check: ensure the loading indicator exposes the expected label
+        final zulipLocalizations = await ZulipLocalizations.delegate.load(const Locale('en'));
+        expect(find.bySemanticsLabel(zulipLocalizations.loading), findsOneWidget);
+        await tester.pumpAndSettle();
+      } finally {
+        semanticsHandle.dispose();
+      }
     });
 
     // TODO(#1569) test no typing status or mark-read button when not haveNewest
diff --git a/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart b/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart
index 1cd9c4bb26..ac1d6e0759 100644
--- a/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart
+++ b/test/widgets/topic_list_test.dart
@@ -12,6 +12,7 @@ import 'package:zulip/widgets/app_bar.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/widgets/icons.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/widgets/message_list.dart';
 import 'package:zulip/widgets/topic_list.dart';
+import 'package:zulip/generated/l10n/zulip_localizations.dart';
 
 import '../api/fake_api.dart';
 import '../example_data.dart' as eg;
@@ -114,14 +115,27 @@ 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();
+    final zulipLocalizations = await ZulipLocalizations.delegate.load(const Locale('en'));
+    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(zulipLocalizations.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(zulipLocalizations.loading), findsNothing);
+    } finally {
+      semanticsHandle.dispose();
+    }
   });
 
   testWidgets('fetch again when navigating away and back', (tester) async {