ARIA Basics: When (and When Not) to Use ARIA

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About Course

WAI-ARIA attributes can make custom widgets understandable to screen readers, but used wrongly they make sites less accessible. Learn why native HTML comes first, what roles, states and properties do, how to give controls accessible names, how to use aria-expanded, aria-hidden and live regions, and how to test your work.

Tutwoo is an independent learning provider. This course is written from the official documentation listed in the sources, which can change, so always check the current documentation for the version you use. It is not endorsed by any of the organisations listed and is not an accredited qualification.

© 2026 Tutwoo UK Limited. This course was created in-house by Tutwoo and is our original work. It is for your own learning only: please do not copy, share, record or resell it.

What Will You Learn?

  • Explain why native HTML elements should be your first choice
  • Understand roles, states and properties and that ARIA adds no behaviour
  • Give controls accessible names with visible labels, aria-labelledby or aria-label
  • Use aria-expanded, aria-hidden and live regions correctly, and test with assistive technology

Course Content

Course Lessons

  • Native HTML first
  • Roles, states and properties, and why ARIA adds no behaviour
  • Accessible names and descriptions
  • Common patterns and testing

Sources & Further Reading
The official guidance this course is based on.

Final Assessment

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