ARIA

Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) is a set of attributes that define ways to make web content and web applications (especially those developed with JavaScript) more accessible to people with disabilities.

It supplements HTML so that interactions and widgets commonly used in applications can be passed to assistive technologies when there is not otherwise a mechanism. For example, ARIA enables accessible JavaScript widgets, form hints and error messages, live content updates, and more.

The first rule of ARIA use is "If you can use a native HTML element or attribute with the semantics and behavior you require already built in, instead of re-purposing an element and adding an ARIA role, state or property to make it accessible, then do so."

Here's the markup for a progress bar widget:

<div id="percent-loaded" role="progressbar" aria-valuenow="75"
     aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100">
</div>

This progress bar is built using a <div>, which has no meaning. We include ARIA roles and properties to add meaning. In this example, the role="progressbar" attribute informs the browser that this element is actually a JavaScript-powered progress bar widget. The aria-valuemin and aria-valuemax attributes specify the minimum and maximum values for the progress bar, and the aria-valuenow describes the current state of it and therefore must be kept updated with JavaScript.

Along with placing them directly in the markup, ARIA attributes can be added to the element and updated dynamically using JavaScript code like this:

// Find the progress bar <div> in the DOM.
var progressBar = document.getElementById("percent-loaded");

// Set its ARIA roles and states,
// so that assistive technologies know what kind of widget it is.
progressBar.setAttribute("role", "progressbar");
progressBar.setAttribute("aria-valuemin", 0);
progressBar.setAttribute("aria-valuemax", 100);

// Create a function that can be called at any time to update
// the value of the progress bar.
function updateProgress(percentComplete) {
  progressBar.setAttribute("aria-valuenow", percentComplete);
}

All content that is available to non-assistive technology users must be made available to assistive technologies. Similarly, no features should be included targeting assistive technology users that aren't also accessible to those not using assistive technologies. The above progressbar needs to be styled to make it look like a progressbar.

It would have been much simpler to use the native <progress> element instead:

<progress id="percent-loaded" value="75" max="100">75 %</progress>

Like any other web technology, there are varying degrees of support for ARIA. Support is based on the operating system and browser being used, as well as the kind of assistive technology interfacing with it. In addition, the version of the operating system, browser, and assistive technology are contributing factors. Older software versions may not support certain ARIA roles, have only partial support, or misreport its functionality.

It is also important to acknowledge that some people who rely on assistive technology are reluctant to upgrade their software, for fear of losing the ability to interact with their computer and browser. Because of this, it is important to use semantic HTML elements whenever possible, as semantic HTML has far better support for assistive technology.

It is also important to test your authored ARIA with actual assistive technology. Much as how browser emulators and simulators are not an effective solution for testing full support, proxy assistive technology solutions aren't sufficient to fully guarantee functionality.

Introduction to ARIA

A quick introduction to making dynamic content accessible with ARIA. See also the classic ARIA intro by Gez Lemon, from 2008.

Videos of screen readers using ARIA

See both real and simplified examples from around the web, including "before" and "after" ARIA videos.

Using ARIA

A practical guide for developers. It suggests what ARIA attributes to use on HTML elements. Suggestions are based on implementation realities.

Enhancing page navigation with ARIA landmarks

A nice intro to using ARIA landmarks to improve web page navigation for screen reader users. See also, ARIA landmark implementation notes and examples on real sites (updated as of July 2011).

Improving form accessibility

ARIA is not just for dynamic content! Learn how to improve accessibility of HTML forms using additional ARIA attributes.

Writing keyboard-navigable JavaScript widgets

Built-in elements like <input>, <button> etc have built-in keyboard accessibility. If you 'fake' these with <div>s and ARIA, you must ensure your widgets are keyboard accessible.

Live regions

Live regions provide suggestions to screen readers about how to handle changes to the contents of a page.

Using ARIA live regions to announce content changes

A quick summary of live regions, by the makers of JAWS screen reader software. Live regions are also supported by NVDA with Firefox, and VoiceOver with Safari.

ARIA roles

Reference pages covering all the WAI-ARIA roles discussed on MDN.

ARIA states and properties

Reference pages covering all the WAI-ARIA states and properties discussed on MDN.

WAI-ARIA specification

The W3C specification itself.

WAI-ARIA authoring practices

The official best practices documents how best to ARIA-ify common widgets and interactions. An excellent resource.

Following talks are a great way to understand ARIA:

ARIA, Accessibility APIs and coding like you give a damn! – Léonie Watson

File ARIA bugs on browsers, screen readers, and JavaScript libraries.

Accessibility, AJAX, JavaScript