# ARIA: what it is and how it works · Zorraquino
> ARIA is a W3C specification that adds roles, states and properties to HTML so assistive technologies can interpret complex web interfaces.
URL: https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/aria-accsessible-rich-internet-applications.html

# ARIA

ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) is a W3C specification that defines attributes for adding information about roles, states and properties to HTML, so that assistive technologies can interpret complex web interfaces

What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.

[The whole glossary](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary)

## What it is and how it works

It is part of the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), hence the name WAI-ARIA. It is particularly useful for components HTML does not cover on its own, such as tabs, drop-down menus, dialogs or content that updates without reloading the page, so that screen readers correctly announce what they are and what is happening. Version 1.2 became a W3C Recommendation in 2023.

ARIA adds semantics, not behaviour: keyboard interaction still has to be coded. The first rule of use is to prefer native HTML elements, such as button or nav, wherever they exist, because poorly applied ARIA can make accessibility worse rather than better.

Also known as

WAI-ARIA, Accessible Rich Internet Applications

Topics

[Technology and data](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/category/tecnologia-y-datos)

## Related concepts

- [Digital accessibility](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-accessibility)
- [HTML](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/html-language.html)
- [W3C](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/w3c.html)