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ARIA role attribute misuse

Compliance Data & User Impact

User Impact: Critical

Disabilities Affected:

blindness
deafblindness

WCAG Version:
2

WCAG Levels:

WCAG Guidelines:

4.1.2

Solution Techniques:

ARIA4.Role2Evnt

Automated Test Accuracy:
Medium

uTester Severity:
Error

DRRSAG Designations:

role

How to Fix the Problem

Use the role attribute only on relevant elements and according to the WAI-ARIA roles specification. The WAI-ARIA specification provides an informative description of each role.

The Algorithm, in Simple Terms

The engine scans all elements using a role attribute representing clickable elements and looks for one of the following events on the element: keydown, keyup, keypress, click, dblclick, focusin, mousedown and mouseup

Why Is it Important?

Users who use assistive tools, such as screen readers will fail to understand properly the role of the element

Code Example

<a href="www.user1st.com" role="link">user1st website</a>

Additional Information

https://www.w3.org/TR/aria-in-html/

Example

Access Example

Ignore this issue if this element is part of a list of similar elements or a container of a list such as: select, autocomplete field widget, the table inside a date picker widget, a tab in a tab control widget).

This element perfoms as a container, and has no functionality. This container may contain another elements that has functionality or logical role.

Ignore this issue if this element has an alternative that performs the same and overrides the content of this element.