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Aria-selected attribute in WAI-ARIA.

In the world of web accessibility, it’s important to provide a robust and inclusive user experience for all individuals, including those with disabilities. One key aspect of web accessibility is the proper use of WAI-ARIA (Web Accessibility Initiative - Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes. In this blog post, we will explore the aria-selected attribute and its significance in enhancing the accessibility of web applications.

Table of Contents

What is the aria-selected attribute?

The aria-selected attribute is a WAI-ARIA attribute that is used to indicate the current selection state of an element, such as a tab, a list item, or a checkbox. It informs assistive technologies, such as screen readers, about the active or selected item, allowing users to navigate and interact with the application effectively.

The aria-selected attribute can be applied to different HTML elements, including but not limited to <button>, <li>, <option>, <input>, and <div>, depending on the context and purpose of the selection.

Why is the aria-selected attribute important?

By using the aria-selected attribute correctly, we can improve the accessibility of web applications by providing clear feedback and visual cues to users. Here are a few reasons why the aria-selected attribute is important:

  1. Enhanced navigation: Assistive technologies can understand the current selection state, allowing users to navigate through selectable items more efficiently. For example, screen reader users can easily identify and interact with the selected tab within a tabbed interface.

  2. Clear feedback: When an item is selected, providing the aria-selected attribute communicates its active state to users, regardless of their abilities. This helps users maintain better orientation and stay informed about their current selection.

  3. Keyboard accessibility: When implementing keyboard navigation, using the aria-selected attribute ensures that users can easily identify and interact with selectable elements. Users can use the keyboard to navigate between items, and the aria-selected attribute indicates the currently active item.

How to use the aria-selected attribute

To use the aria-selected attribute, you need to set its value appropriately based on the current selection state. The aria-selected attribute accepts one of three possible values:

Examples of aria-selected attribute usage

Example 1: Tabs

<div role="tablist">
  <button role="tab" aria-selected="true">Tab 1</button>
  <button role="tab" aria-selected="false">Tab 2</button>
  <button role="tab" aria-selected="false">Tab 3</button>
</div>

In this example, the aria-selected attribute is used to denote the currently selected tab. The first tab has the attribute set to "true", while the other tabs have it set to "false".

Example 2: List items

<ul role="listbox">
  <li role="option" aria-selected="true">Item 1</li>
  <li role="option" aria-selected="false">Item 2</li>
  <li role="option" aria-selected="false">Item 3</li>
</ul>

In this example, the aria-selected attribute is used to indicate the selected item within a list. The first list item has the attribute set to "true", while the rest have it set to "false".

Conclusion

The aria-selected attribute plays a crucial role in enhancing the accessibility of web applications by providing important information about the current selection state. By using this attribute appropriately, we can create a more inclusive user experience for individuals with disabilities. When working on web development projects, remember to consider and implement the aria-selected attribute whenever there’s a need to indicate selection within your user interface.

References:

#WebAccessibility #WAIARIA

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