I don’t believe the CSS is read by screen readers…right? So maybe have the text there but font-size: 0; it so the text is still there to be read by screen readers?
" CSS3 introduced the ::before notation (with two colons)
to distinguish pseudo-classes from pseudo-elements.
Browsers also accept :before , introduced in CSS2."
“…so the text is still there to be read by screen readers”
you are, of course quite right,
As a stickler for accessibility, there is no excuse for my faux pas.
I will go into the back room and severely flagellate myself for my
unacceptable lack of concentration.