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  • National Disability Authority
  1. Home
  2. Communications & Digital
  3. Web and Mobile Accessibility
  4. Web Accessibility Techniques
  5. Developer's Introduction and Index
  6. Use ARIA appropriately

Use ARIA appropriately

Native HTML elements are generally favoured for many applications due to existing accessibility support, so use them wherever possible. Some situations in a rich web environment require the use of additional specific coding to ensure that users are able to understand and interact with the content on the page.

The Accessible Rich Internet Applications (ARIA) framework can be applied to native HTML elements were doing so would provide a more accessible environment. For an introduction to ARIA see MDN Web Docs – WAI-AIRA basics and Google Developers Web Fundamentals – Introduction to ARIA

  • In this section
  • References for this section
  • Further Reading

Web Accessibility Techniques

  • Design accessible digital content - introduction and index
  • Content Provider's Introduction and Index
  • Developer's Introduction and Index

    • Provide an accessible page structure and layout
    • Design accessible navigation
    • Ensure images, video and audio are accessible to everyone
    • Keep tables and data representation simple
    • Provide accessible forms
    • Ensure Custom Widgets are accessible
    • Code according to best practices
    • Use ARIA appropriately

      • Assign roles using ARIA
      • Use ARIA to announce updates and messaging
    • Always test your site with users who have access needs

In this section

  • Assign roles using ARIA
  • Use ARIA to announce updates and messaging

References for this section

WCAG 2.1

  • 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (A)
  • 4.1.3 Status Messages (AA)

EN 301 549 v 2.1.2

  • 9.4.1.2 Name, Role, Value
  • 9.4.1.3 Status Messages

Further reading

  • MDN Web Docs – WAI-ARIA basics
  • Google Developers Web Fundamentals – Introduction to ARIA
  • WAI-ARIA 1.1 Authoring Practises
  • MDN Web Docs – HTML elements reference
  • WAI-ARIA Authoring Practises 1.1 - Alert
  • WAI-ARIA Authoring Practises 1.1 - Status
  • ARIA Live Regions - MDN Web Docs
  • About Universal Design
  • Definition and Overview of Universal Design (UD)
  • History of Universal Design
  • Benefits and Drivers
  • Policy and Legislation
  • Standards
  • Universal Design of Products and Services
  • Universal Design Approach
  • Awards
  • The 7 Principles
  • News & Events
  • Overview of Built Environment
  • eLearning Module - Buildings for Everyone: Central Bank of Ireland
  • Building for Everyone
  • Housing
  • Early Learning and Care Settings
  • Residential Long Term Care Settings for Older People
  • Walkability Auditing
  • Shared Space
  • Shared Educational Campuses
  • Universal Design Guidelines for Changing Places Toilets
  • Built Environment CPD
  • Overview of Communications & Digital
  • Web and Mobile Accessibility
  • ICT Research and Guidelines (Archived content)
  • Customer Communications Toolkit for Services to the Public - A Universal Design Approach
  • European Accessibility Act
  • Overview of Education
  • Primary Level Education
  • Secondary Level Education
  • Third Level Education
  • Continuous Professional Development
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The National Disability Authority (NDA) is the independent statutory body that provides information and advice to Government on policy and practice relevant to the lives of persons with disabilities. The NDA assists in the co-ordination of disability policy, and also promotes Universal Design through the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design.

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