What is role of semantic HTML in accessibility?

Role of semantic HTML in accessibility

Semantic HTML plays a crucial role in improving web accessibility by providing structure and meaning to content, which benefits users relying on assistive technologies.

Improves Screen Reader Navigation

• Semantic HTML elements (e.g., <header>, <main>, <article>, <section>, <nav>) provide clear landmarks that assistive technologies like screen readers use to help users navigate a webpage efficiently.
• For instance, a <nav> element signals navigation menus, while a <main> element denotes the primary content of the page.

Enhances Keyboard Accessibility

Using semantic elements ensures better default keyboard behavior. For example, links <a> and buttons <button> have built-in focus states and actions that are keyboard accessible, reducing the need for custom implementations.

Reduces ARIA Dependence

Semantic HTML provides many built-in features that reduce the need for additional ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) roles and attributes. For example:

<button> inherently includes the role of "button," whereas a non-semantic <div> requires explicit ARIA roles and attributes to serve the same purpose.

Improves Focus Management

Forms with semantic elements such as <label> and <input> have built-in accessibility benefits. For example, associating <label> with an <input> ensures that screen readers announce the label text when users focus on the input field.