User Experience
ARIA Labels
Also known as: Accessible labels
Plain English
Extra labels for glossaryScreen ReaderA screen reader is software that reads digital content aloud for users who cannot see the screen.Open glossary term.
Definition
ARIA labels are attributes used in HTML to improve serviceAccessibilityFind accessibility issues early, improve usability, and build products that are more inclusive, usable, and compliant.Open service by providing additional glossaryContextContext is the set of surrounding conditions that shape how someone behaves and decides, including their goal, their environment, their time pressure, and what happened immediately before. The same action can mean different things in different contexts.Open glossary term for glossaryScreen ReaderA screen reader is software that reads digital content aloud for users who cannot see the screen.Open glossary term.
In practice
Used to describe elements that are not clearly labelled visually.
In context
They are a repair, not a first choice. Native HTML that already carries the right semantics needs no label, and an ARIA attribute over the wrong element makes things worse.
The reality
ARIA is often misused or ignored, reducing serviceAccessibilityFind accessibility issues early, improve usability, and build products that are more inclusive, usable, and compliant.Open service.
Compared with
ARIA Labels vs Semantic HTML
Semantic HTML conveys meaning by using the correct element. ARIA adds meaning where no suitable element exists. The first rule of ARIA is not to use it if native markup will do the job.
FAQ
Common questions
A few practical answers to the questions that usually come up around this term.
What are ARIA labels?
They provide additional glossaryContextContext is the set of surrounding conditions that shape how someone behaves and decides, including their goal, their environment, their time pressure, and what happened immediately before. The same action can mean different things in different contexts.Open glossary term for serviceAccessibilityFind accessibility issues early, improve usability, and build products that are more inclusive, usable, and compliant.Open service tools.
Why are ARIA labels important?
They improve serviceAccessibilityFind accessibility issues early, improve usability, and build products that are more inclusive, usable, and compliant.Open service for glossaryScreen ReaderA screen reader is software that reads digital content aloud for users who cannot see the screen.Open glossary term users.
Where are they used?
In HTML elements without clear labels.
What is a common issue?
Incorrect or missing implementation.
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