Let's discuss the role
attribute in conjunction with ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications).
The role
attribute is used to define the purpose or type of a user interface element, especially when the native HTML semantics are not sufficient. It helps assistive technologies understand the intended meaning of an element.
<button role="link" onclick="window.location.href='/home'">
Go to Home
</button>
In this example, the role="link"
is used to indicate that the button functions like a link, even though it's implemented as a button.
-
Use native HTML elements with appropriate semantics whenever possible. Only use
role
when necessary. -
Choose the most suitable
role
value for the element's purpose. -
Avoid using
role
to change the inherent meaning of standard HTML elements.
Consider a custom-designed interactive element:
<div role="slider" aria-valuemin="0" aria-valuemax="100" aria-valuenow="50">
<!-- Slider content goes here -->
</div>
In this case, the role="slider"
is used to convey to assistive technologies that the div element represents a slider, and the aria-valuemin
, aria-valuemax
, and aria-valuenow
attributes provide information about the slider's value range and current value.