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ARIA Roles vs Semantic HTML

Developers should learn and use ARIA Roles when building complex, interactive web applications that rely on JavaScript or frameworks like React, where standard HTML elements lack the necessary semantic information for accessibility meets developers should use semantic html to improve accessibility for users with disabilities, as screen readers and assistive technologies rely on semantic tags to navigate and interpret content. Here's our take.

🧊Nice Pick

ARIA Roles

Developers should learn and use ARIA Roles when building complex, interactive web applications that rely on JavaScript or frameworks like React, where standard HTML elements lack the necessary semantic information for accessibility

ARIA Roles

Nice Pick

Developers should learn and use ARIA Roles when building complex, interactive web applications that rely on JavaScript or frameworks like React, where standard HTML elements lack the necessary semantic information for accessibility

Pros

  • +For example, in custom widgets like tabs, modals, or drag-and-drop interfaces, ARIA Roles ensure that screen readers can accurately interpret and announce the functionality to users with visual impairments
  • +Related to: html-semantics, web-accessibility

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

Semantic HTML

Developers should use semantic HTML to improve accessibility for users with disabilities, as screen readers and assistive technologies rely on semantic tags to navigate and interpret content

Pros

  • +It also enhances SEO by helping search engines better understand page structure, and it makes code easier to read and maintain for teams
  • +Related to: html5, accessibility

Cons

  • -Specific tradeoffs depend on your use case

The Verdict

Use ARIA Roles if: You want for example, in custom widgets like tabs, modals, or drag-and-drop interfaces, aria roles ensure that screen readers can accurately interpret and announce the functionality to users with visual impairments and can live with specific tradeoffs depend on your use case.

Use Semantic HTML if: You prioritize it also enhances seo by helping search engines better understand page structure, and it makes code easier to read and maintain for teams over what ARIA Roles offers.

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The Bottom Line
ARIA Roles wins

Developers should learn and use ARIA Roles when building complex, interactive web applications that rely on JavaScript or frameworks like React, where standard HTML elements lack the necessary semantic information for accessibility

Disagree with our pick? nice@nicepick.dev