What is ARIA?
ARIA, short for Accessible Rich Internet Applications, is a set of special HTML attributes that make web applications and dynamic content more accessible to people using assistive technologies like screen readers.
ARIA provides roles, properties, and states that define how elements behave and how they should be announced to users with disabilities.
Example:
<div role="button" aria-pressed="false" tabindex="0">Toggle Menu</div>
In the example above, ARIA tells the screen reader this is a button, not just a div, and gives its current state, critical for users who can’t visually see the interaction.
Why ARIA Matters in Web Accessibility
Modern websites rely on JavaScript-heavy UI/UX, think modals, sliders, accordions, and single-page apps. These elements often don’t communicate well with assistive technologies unless developers explicitly tell them how to behave. That’s where ARIA steps in.
ARIA supports compliance with:
- WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) — especially for dynamic content.
- ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) — in the U.S., requires accessible web applications.
- BFSG in Germany and EN 301 549 in Europe — legal standards for accessibility compliance.
Without ARIA, many rich user interfaces become invisible or unusable to people relying on assistive tech.
Practical Use Cases & Implementation Tips
For developers working with CMS platforms like TYPO3, WordPress, or custom web apps, here’s how you can use ARIA effectively:
- ✅ ARIA Roles: Use role="dialog" for modals, role="navigation" for menus, or role="alert" for notifications.
- ✅ ARIA States/Properties: Add aria-expanded, aria-hidden, aria-checked to indicate interaction status.
- ✅ Live Regions: Use aria-live to notify users about real-time content updates (e.g., chat messages or form errors).
- ✅ Plugins & Themes: Choose themes that are accessibility-ready and respect ARIA standards.
- ✅ TYPO3 Example: Customize templates to include role="banner" for headers or aria-label for accessible links.
- ✅ WordPress Example: Use block editor or classic themes that output semantic HTML and ARIA by default.
Always test with screen readers like NVDA, VoiceOver, or JAWS, and validate ARIA usage with tools like WAVE or Axe DevTools.
Common Mistakes & Misconceptions
Let’s demystify ARIA with clarity:
❌ “ARIA can fix broken HTML.”
✔️ Wrong. ARIA supplements semantic HTML—it should never replace it.
❌ “If I add ARIA, my site is automatically accessible.”
✔️ False. Poor ARIA implementation can actually harm accessibility.
❌ “All elements need ARIA attributes.”
✔️ Not true. Use ARIA only when native HTML doesn’t offer built-in accessibility.
❌ “ARIA roles define visuals.”
✔️ No—they only affect how assistive technologies interpret elements, not how they look.
Explore related entries: Web Accessibility, Screen Reader, WCAG, Alt Text
Key Takeaway
Use ARIA when necessary, wisely, and sparingly.
It’s a powerful tool—but only when used with a strong foundation of semantic HTML and inclusive design practices. When done right, ARIA bridges the gap between modern UX and digital inclusion.
Ready to Improve Accessibility with ARIA?
Download our Beginner's ARIA Cheat Sheet or try the T3AA Accessibility Analyzer to check your site's compliance.
Build smarter. Design inclusively. Let your code speak for everyone.