ARIA attributes help screen reader users better navigate and understand web content by supplementing HTML accessibility flaws. 1. ARIA is a set of attributes used to make dynamic content and complex UI controls accessible, such as using role="menu" and aria-haspopup="true" to identify custom drop-down menus; 2. Common roles include role="navigation", role="button" and role="dialog", common states such as aria-expanded and aria-label; 3. Native HTML elements should be used when using them. If you need to customize components, you need to correctly pair roles with related aria-* attributes and ensure that keyboard navigation works properly; 4. Common use cases include modal dialogs, custom drop-down menus and load indicators. At the same time, abuse or misuse of ARIA attributes should be avoided to ensure that they enhance rather than weaken accessibility.
ARIA attributes in HTML are like signposts for screen readers—they help people with disabilities navigate and understand web content better. If you're building a website that needs to be accessible, especially when using custom components or JavaScript-heavy interactions, ARIA fills the gaps where standard HTML falls short.

What Are ARIA Attributes and Why They Matter
ARIA stands for Accessible Rich Internet Applications , and it's a set of attributes that make dynamic content and complex UI controls accessible. Browsers and assistive technologies like screen readers can interpret these attributes to convey meaningful information to users who can't see or interact with the page visually.
For example, if you've built a custom dropdown menu using divs and JavaScript (not using <select></select>
), screen readers won't automatically know what it is or how to interact with it. Adding role="menu"
and aria-haspopup="true"
tells assistive tech that this element behaves like a menu and has expanded options.

Here are some commonly used ARIA roles:
-
role="navigation"
for nav sections -
role="button"
for clickable elements acting as buttons -
role="dialog"
for modal windows
And common states/properties include:

-
aria-expanded
for collapse sections -
aria-selected
for tabs -
aria-label
oraria-labelledby
to describe elements without visible text labels
How to Use ARIA Without Breaking Accessibility
The golden rule: don't use ARIA unless you need it . Native HTML elements already have accessibility built-in—like <button></button>
, <input>
, and <details></details>
. If you can use those instead of reinventing the wheel, do it.
But when you must use a custom component, here's how to apply ARIA correctly:
- Always pair
role
with relevantaria-*
attributes. For instance, a tablist needsrole="tablist"
, each tabrole="tab"
, and their associated panelsrole="tabpanel"
. - Make sure keyboard navigation works. ARIA doesn't handle focus management—you still need to use
tabindex
and JavaScript event handlers. - Avoid overwriting native semantics. Using
role="button"
on an<a></a>
tag might confuse screen readers if not all button behaviors are implemented.
One common mistake is adding role="button"
but forgetting to make it keyboard-focusable ( tabindex="0"
) or not handling click events properly. That leaves users unable to activate it via keyboard, defeating the purpose.
Common ARIA Use Cases You Might Encounter
Let's look at a few real-world examples where ARIA makes a big difference:
1. Modal Dialogs
When a modal pops up, screen readers should focus on it and not read out the background content. Use:
<div role="dialog" aria-labelledby="modal-title" tabindex="-1">
Also manage focus manually so it traps inside the modal while open.
2. Custom Dropdown Menus
If your dropdown isn't a <select>
, you'll need:
<ul role="menu" aria-labelledby="dropdown-button"> <li role="menuitem">Option 1</li> </ul>
3. Loading Indicators
Sometimes you want to inform screen reader users that something is loading:
<div role="status" aria-live="polite"> Loading... </div>
This ensures the message gets announced without interrupting other content.
Keep in mind that aria-live
regions should only update when necessary—too many updates can be overwhelming.
ARIA is powerful, but it's not a magic fix-all. It requires careful implementation and testing. If done right, it helps bridge the gap between visual design and accessibility. If misused, it can create more barriers than it removes.
So, start with semantic HTML, layer in ARIA where needed, and test with a screen reader whenever possible.
The above is the detailed content of Using HTML for Accessibility: ARIA Attributes. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

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