What is the role of ARIA attributes in web accessibility?

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What is the role of ARIA attributes in web accessibility?

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes play a crucial role in enhancing web accessibility for individuals with disabilities. These attributes are used to provide additional information to assistive technologies, such as screen readers, in understanding and navigating web content.

The main role of ARIA attributes is to bridge the gap between the functionality and behavior of web applications and the accessibility requirements of users with disabilities. They enable developers to make web content more accessible by adding semantic information that is not conveyed through standard HTML elements.

ARIA attributes can be used to define roles, states, and properties of elements on a webpage. Roles describe the type of element, such as a button, menu, or dialog. States indicate the current condition of an element, such as whether it is expanded or selected. Properties provide additional information about an element, such as its value or description.

By using ARIA attributes, developers can ensure that assistive technologies can properly interpret and interact with web content. For example, a button element with an ARIA role of "button" and an ARIA label can be understood as a button by screen readers, allowing users to interact with it using keyboard or voice commands.

Overall, ARIA attributes play a vital role in making web content more accessible by providing additional information to assistive technologies, enabling individuals with disabilities to navigate and interact with websites effectively.