ariaattributes

Aria attributes, short for Web Accessibility Rich Internet Applications attributes, are a set of HTML attributes defined by the WAI-ARIA specification to help assistive technologies interpret complex interactive interfaces. They provide additional information about the roles, states, and properties of elements when native HTML semantics are insufficient or lacking for custom widgets and dynamic content.

Common ARIA attributes include aria-label, aria-labelledby, and aria-describedby, which supply accessible names and descriptions for controls and regions. Other attributes such as aria-hidden hide elements from accessibility APIs, while aria-live allows dynamic content updates to be announced to users. States and properties such as aria-expanded, aria-pressed, aria-checked, aria-selected, aria-disabled, and aria-current convey the current status of widgets like buttons, toggles, checkboxes, and menu items. Roles, specified with the role attribute (for example, role="button" or role="navigation"), define the intended function of an element when native semantics are insufficient.

Usage guidance emphasizes using native HTML elements and semantics whenever possible, and applying ARIA primarily to custom widgets that lack appropriate native semantics. Attributes should be kept in sync with the visible state of the UI, and ARIA should not be used to misrepresent information or to compensate for poor keyboard accessibility. Developers should avoid exposing interactive content through aria-hidden or overusing live regions, as these can confuse users of assistive technologies. Cross-checking with screen readers and keyboard testing is advised to ensure proper behavior and discoverability.

In practice, ARIA is a supplemental tool for making dynamic web applications more accessible. It is not a substitute for good semantic HTML, accessible design patterns, or comprehensive testing across assistive technologies.