Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) is one of the most powerful tools in a developer’s accessibility toolkit—but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. While ARIA can improve accessibility when used correctly, misuse can actually make things worse for users who rely on assistive technologies (AT), such as screen readers.
So, how do you use ARIA effectively? In this post, we’ll break down what ARIA is, when to use it (and when not to), and best practices for implementing ARIA roles and properties to improve web accessibility.
What is ARIA?
ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) is a set of attributes that enhance HTML to make web applications more accessible to users with disabilities. It helps assistive technologies—like screen readers—interpret dynamic content and interactive elements that might not be accessible otherwise.
Think of ARIA as a translator between your website’s code and assistive technologies. It provides extra information about elements that standard HTML alone may not fully describe.
When Should You Use ARIA?
Golden Rule: Use ARIA only when native HTML is insufficient.
HTML already has built-in accessibility features, so using ARIA when it’s not needed can actually make things worse. For example:
✅ Use <button> instead of <div role="button">
✅ Use <nav> instead of <div role="navigation">
✅ Use <input type="checkbox"> instead of <div role="checkbox">
If a semantic HTML element provides the necessary functionality, use it instead of ARIA. ARIA should only be used when there is no native HTML alternative.
Key ARIA Roles and How to Use Them Correctly
1. Landmark Roles: Structuring Your Page for Assistive Technologies
Landmark roles help screen reader users navigate a page efficiently by identifying key sections. However, most landmark roles are redundant if you use native HTML elements.
| Landmark Role | Preferred HTML Alternative | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
role="banner" | <header> | Identifies the site header. |
role="navigation" | <nav> | Marks navigation menus. |
role="main" | <main> | Indicates the primary content area. |
role="complementary" | <aside> | Defines secondary content (e.g., a sidebar). |
role="contentinfo" | <footer> | Marks the footer of a webpage. |
✅ Best Practice: Use native elements first, and only add landmark roles if your markup requires it (e.g., using <div> instead of <nav> due to styling constraints).
2. Widget Roles: Making Custom Components Accessible
If you create a custom interactive element that doesn’t have a native HTML equivalent, you may need an ARIA widget role.
| Widget Role | Purpose |
|---|---|
role="button" | Defines an interactive button (only if <button> cannot be used). |
role="tablist", role="tab", role="tabpanel" | Defines a tabbed interface. |
role="dialog" | Identifies a modal dialog. |
role="tooltip" | Labels an informational tooltip. |
role="progressbar" | Indicates a progress bar. |
✅ Best Practice: If using these roles, ensure you also add keyboard support (e.g., Enter and Space for buttons, Arrow Keys for tabs).
3. Live Regions: Announcing Dynamic Content
Live regions allow screen readers to announce updates in real-time without moving the user’s focus.
| Live Region Attribute | Purpose |
|---|---|
aria-live="polite" | Announces updates only when idle (e.g., chat messages). |
aria-live="assertive" | Announces updates immediately, interrupting the user (e.g., error messages). |
aria-atomic="true" | Ensures the entire region is read, not just the changed part. |
aria-relevant="additions" | Tells the screen reader to announce new content only. |
✅ Best Practice: Use aria-live="assertive" sparingly—interrupting users too frequently can be disruptive and frustrating.
4. ARIA Labels and Descriptions: Improving Screen Reader Context
ARIA provides attributes to enhance labels and descriptions for screen reader users.
| Attribute | Purpose |
|---|---|
aria-label="..." | Provides a custom label for an element (overrides visible text). |
aria-labelledby="id" | Links to an existing label (useful for complex elements). |
aria-describedby="id" | Points to additional descriptive text. |
🔹 Example: Labeling an Icon Button
<button aria-label="Close window">
<svg>...</svg>
</button>
Even though there’s no visible text, aria-label ensures screen readers announce “Close window” instead of “Button.”
✅ Best Practice: Avoid using aria-label on elements that already have visible labels—screen readers may ignore visible text if an aria-label is present.
Common ARIA Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
🚨 1. Adding ARIA Where It’s Not Needed
❌ role="button" on a <button>
✅ Use <button> instead—it already provides keyboard and screen reader support.
🚨 2. Forgetting Keyboard Support
ARIA does not automatically make elements keyboard-accessible. If you use role="button", you must add event listeners for Enter and Space.
✅ Example: Making a <div> act like a button:
<div role="button" tabindex="0" onclick="doSomething()" onkeypress="handleKey(event)">
Click Me
</div>
🚨 3. Using aria-hidden="true" Incorrectly
If you add aria-hidden="true" to an element, screen readers will ignore it—even if it’s visible.
❌ Bad Example:
<p aria-hidden="true">Important message</p>
✅ Fix: Use aria-hidden="true" only for purely decorative elements.
Testing ARIA for Accessibility
Even if you follow best practices, always test your implementation using:
🛠️ Screen Readers:
- NVDA (Windows, free)
- JAWS (Windows, paid)
- VoiceOver (Mac & iOS, built-in)
🛠️ Browser Dev Tools:
- Chrome Accessibility Panel
- Firefox Accessibility Inspector
🛠️ Automated Tools:
- axe DevTools (browser extension)
- WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)
Final Thoughts: ARIA Should Enhance, Not Replace, HTML
ARIA is powerful, but it should be used sparingly. The best approach is:
✅ Use semantic HTML whenever possible.
✅ Add ARIA only when necessary.
✅ Test with real assistive technologies.
By following these best practices, you’ll ensure your web applications work seamlessly for all users—whether they use a mouse, a keyboard, or a screen reader.
