---
title: "A: aria-roledescription must be on elements with a semantic role (WCAG 4.1.2)"
description: "A: aria-roledescription must be on elements with a semantic role (WCAG 4.1.2) SiteCockpit Monitoring"
---

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# A: aria-roledescription must be on elements with a semantic role (WCAG 4.1.2)

## aria-roledescription

- [**Meaning**](https://help.sitecockpit.com/en/documentation/easymonitoring-checks/automated-checks/aria-roledescription#This-means)
- [**Impact**](https://help.sitecockpit.com/en/documentation/easymonitoring-checks/automated-checks/aria-roledescription#Impact)
- [**Recommendation**](https://help.sitecockpit.com/en/documentation/easymonitoring-checks/automated-checks/aria-roledescription#Recommendation)
- [**Examples**](https://help.sitecockpit.com/en/documentation/easymonitoring-checks/automated-checks/aria-roledescription#Example)

Ensure that `aria-roledescription` is only used in conjunction with an implicit or explicit role.

### **This means**

`aria-roledescription` supplements the role name spoken by assistive technologies in plain text. It only works if the element has an actual role — either implicitly through native HTML or explicitly via `role="…"`. Without a role or with `role="none"` or `role="presentation"` it is ineffective or misleading. `aria-roledescription` never replaces the true role.

### **Impact**

If the underlying role is missing or obscured, screen readers do not receive reliable information. Users become confused, interaction patterns break, and this constitutes a WCAG violation.

### **Recommendation**

- First use correct, native HTML.
- If necessary, set an appropriate `role` and only then meaningfully add `aria-roledescription`.
- Formulate descriptions short, clear, and localized.
- Never use it to hide or replace the true role.

### **Example**

*Problematic*

```
<!-- No role present --><div aria-roledescription="Progress indicator"></div> <!-- Role deliberately neutralized --><div role="none" aria-roledescription="Menu">…</div>
```

*Better*

```
<!-- Implicit role progressbar, added description --><progress aria-roledescription="Progress indicator" value="50" max="100">50%</progress> <!-- Explicit role with roledescription --><div role="tablist" aria-roledescription="Tab bar">  <button role="tab" aria-selected="true">About us</button>  <button role="tab" aria-selected="false">Services</button></div> <!-- Nav with added description and name --><nav aria-roledescription="Main navigation" aria-label="Site navigation">…</nav>
```

**Related WCAG criterion:**  
[WCAG 4.1.2 – Name, Role, Value](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/name-role-value.html)

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