WAI – ARIASinging its Praises

Steve FaulknerThe Paciello Group

sfaulkner@paciellogroup.comtwitter @stevefaulkner

WAI = Web Accessibility Initiative

ARIA = Accessible Rich Internet Applications

What is it?It’s a W3C Specification, like

HTML, CSS, XML etc.– It allows you to add role, state and name information to web languages– Communicate dynamic content updates (AJAX) to assistive technology– Provide consistent keyboard support for interactive interface elements

What’s it do?

How?

<span role="slider" aria-valuetext="decent">

What’s it do?

AJAX

The abstinence message failed

What’s it do?

<span aria-live=“polite">Loading…</span>

How?

<span aria-live=“polite">Loading…</span>

It’s bolt on accessibility

It’s “prefab, bolt on” accessibility!

Why do we need it?

HTML 4, 5 and beyondXHTMLSVGXUL

People do stuff with web languages that isn’t anticipated, so the languages aren’t always up to the job, accessibility wise.

Where can it be used?

Firefox accessibility evolved

Try them for yourself

Firebug alphagetfirebug.com/releases/firebug/1.4/

Juicy Studio Accessibility Toolbarhttps://addons.mozilla.org/de/firefox/addon/9108

W3C validation application for MAC OSXhttp://www.paciellogroup.com/blog/?p=108

Hans Hillen

Gez Lemon

Members of the TPG Posse

Support?

ARIA ResourcesWAI-ARIA Overviewhttp://www.w3.org/WAI/intro/aria

Introduction to WAI-ARIAhttp://dev.opera.com/articles/view/introduction-to-wai-aria/

Codetalks – ARIA resourceshttp://wiki.codetalks.org/

TPG Bloghttp://www.paciellogroup.com/blog

DHTML Style Guide – keyboard supporthttp://dev.aol.com/dhtml_style_guide