ARIAfriendly

ARIAfriendly is a term used in web accessibility discourse to describe user interfaces that are designed with ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) techniques in mind to support assistive technologies. Rather than a formal standard, it acts as a guideline or badge-like descriptor indicating that a site or component aims to be compatible with screen readers and other accessibility tools through thoughtful use of ARIA roles, states, and properties.

Key ideas behind ARIAfriendly include prioritizing native HTML semantics first and adding ARIA only when native elements cannot convey necessary semantics. When ARIA is used, developers typically apply appropriate ARIA roles, labels, and descriptions (for example, aria-labelledby and aria-label) and manage dynamic updates with aria-live where appropriate. Caution is advised with features such as aria-hidden, which can hide content from assistive technologies if misused, and with excessive or conflicting ARIA attributes that can confuse users.

Practical aspects of achieving ARIAfriendly design include ensuring a logical and accessible focus order, providing keyboard operability, and implementing clear labeling and instructions. Focus management is important for modals, dialogs, and components that require user interaction beyond standard page navigation. Testing with assistive technologies (screen readers), keyboard-only navigation, and color-contrast checks is common practice to verify ARIA-friendly behavior.

ARIAfriendly sits within the broader standards framework of WAI-ARIA and ARIA practices. It is not a certification but a descriptive goal used by developers and teams to communicate a commitment to accessible, ARIA-aware design while acknowledging the limits and best practices of ARIA in real-world applications.