Have you ever thrown a lavish dinner party? There are a million tiny details to manage, including a Pinterest-worthy tablescape. Let’s say you have the good fortune to get everything right. The table is set. The food is perfect. But you keep waiting for your guests to arrive. That is, until your heart sinks and you suddenly realize one critical, deal-breaking detail: you forgot to send out the invitations.
That’s what eLearning feels like for learners who use assistive technology without ARIA tags. The content may be rich and interactive, but it’s out of reach without the right signals.
In a recent webinar, Dan Richards, VP of professional services at Interactive Advantage, peeled back the layers of ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) tags and explained how they quietly, yet powerfully, make digital learning more inclusive.
What are ARIA tags, and why should anyone in learning and development (L&D) care? At the core, ARIA tags are a set of HTML attributes that enhance the accessibility of web content, especially content designed to be interactive. Think buttons, forms, sliders, modal windows, and/or dynamic elements. These tags provide assistive technologies like screen readers with the critical context they need to navigate and interpret on-screen elements.
ARIA describes.
ARIA doesn’t replace standard HTML coding; it complements it. Through ARIA-roles, states, and properties, developers can describe the behavior and state of interface elements more clearly, which makes it easier for users with disabilities to interact with the content. A prime example is the ARIA-live attribute. This small yet mighty feature ensures that when new content dynamically appears on screen, such as feedback after answering a quiz question, it’s automatically announced by the screen reader. Without this detail, learners relying on assistive tech might never know the feedback appeared. With ARIA, the learning experience becomes active and inclusive for everyone, despite how they access content.
ARIA is utilitarian.
Another standout feature is ARIA-label, which extends the utility of alternative text beyond images alone. Unlike a simple alt tag, ARIA-label is ideal for labeling interactive elements like buttons, which is especially critical in eLearning, where learners engage with layered content and navigation elements that don’t always conform to traditional web layouts.
But accessibility isn’t just about tagging a few buttons. It’s about understanding how all interactive components work together and how assistive technologies interpret them. ARIA provides a framework for doing this well and doing it consistently. That includes managing hidden content with ARIA-hidden, declaring input types with ARIA-roles, and clearly signaling states like “expanded” or “collapsed” to screen readers.
ARIA is WCAG-compliant.
The regulatory landscape is equally important. With Section 508 and the ADA’s Title II requirements demanding WCAG compliance across public sector digital content, accessibility is no longer optional; it’s a requirement. ARIA makes it easier to meet those standards without sacrificing design or interactivity. And as WCAG guidelines evolve—from 2.0 to 2.1 and now toward 2.2 and beyond, ARIA continues to be a flexible and scalable solution.
ARIA is built into Lectora.
Unlike other eLearning tools that require manual coding or workarounds, Lectora automates ARIA attributes behind the scenes. When developers use standard Lectora interactions—like dynamic hide/show feedback or image buttons—ARIA roles and attributes are already applied. The platform ensures that content is not only interactive and visually engaging but also screen-reader-ready out of the gate.
With accessibility becoming a legal and moral imperative, tools like Lectora give you peace of mind. Whether you’re creating content for federal agencies, local government, or enterprise learning teams, you can trust that your course design will meet WCAG standards—and deliver a meaningful learning experience for all.
Watch the full webinar below to see ARIA in action and get practical tips on how to make your content accessible.
Want to effortlessly make your content more accessible? Learn more about Lectora and get a free trial.
______________________
Disclaimer: The ideas, perspectives, and strategies shared in this article reflect the expertise of our featured speaker, Dan Richards. Be sure to follow him on LinkedIn to explore more of his insights.
View the original article and our Inspiration here