In the world of web accessibility, it’s the little things that make a big difference. And when it comes to the aria-hidden attribute, one of the most important little things is to make sure that it does not contain any focusable elements. The aria-hidden attribute is used to hide an element from screen readers. This can be useful for things like decorative images or elements that are only visible to sighted users. But when you have focusable elements within an aria-hidden element, you can create a confusing and frustrating experience for your users. This guide will explore the dangers of having focusable elements within an aria-hidden element and how to fix it.
Think of your website as a magic show. You want to make sure that your audience is only seeing what you want them to see. The same is true for your website. By making sure that your aria-hidden elements do not contain any focusable elements, you can create a more accessible and user-friendly experience for everyone. For a deeper dive into the world of accessibility, see our article on accessibility.
Your Guide to a More Accessible and User-Friendly Website
Fixing aria-hidden elements that contain focusable elements is a simple but important task. Here’s how to do it:
- Identify Your aria-hidden Elements That Contain Focusable Elements: Use an accessibility testing tool like Creeper to crawl your site and identify any aria-hidden elements that contain focusable elements.
- Remove the Focusable Elements from the aria-hidden Element: The best way to fix this issue is to simply remove the focusable elements from the aria-hidden element.
- Do Not Use the aria-hidden Attribute: If you need to have focusable elements within a hidden element, you should not use the aria-hidden attribute.
The SEO Power of an Accessible Website
An accessible website is a more successful website. By making your website more accessible, you can improve your user experience, reach a wider audience, and even improve your SEO. For more on the importance of a well-structured website, check out this guide to hiding and showing content from the W3C.
Don’t let your website be a confusing and frustrating experience for your users. By taking the time to make sure that your aria-hidden elements do not contain any focusable elements, you can build a more accessible and successful online presence. For more on how to create a winning on-page strategy, see our article on on-page SEO.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the aria-hidden attribute?
The aria-hidden attribute is used to hide an element from screen readers. This can be useful for things like decorative images or elements that are only visible to sighted users.
Why is it important that my aria-hidden elements do not contain focusable elements?
It’s important that your aria-hidden elements do not contain focusable elements because it can create a confusing and frustrating experience for users who rely on a keyboard to navigate your site. When a user tabs to a focusable element that is hidden, they will not be able to see it, but they will still be able to interact with it. This can be very confusing and can make it difficult for them to use your site.
How do I fix aria-hidden elements that contain focusable elements?
The best way to fix aria-hidden elements that contain focusable elements is to simply remove the focusable elements from the aria-hidden element. If you need to have focusable elements within a hidden element, you should not use the aria-hidden attribute.
Ready to make your website more accessible? Start your Creeper audit today and see how you can improve your use of the aria-hidden attribute.