WAI-ARIA APG: Providing Accessible Names and Descriptions
Documents accessible naming for focusable interactive elements, including icon button examples where the accessible name should describe the action rather than the icon shape.
What this source can teach
Use this source to check a technical or accessibility requirement against its exact wording and scope.
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Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Icon-only ambiguous action | Flag this anti-pattern when the icon meaning is not clear from the visible label, surrounding row, action group, and product convention. | The visual control, accessible name, and action result use the same verb and object. | WAI-ARIA APG documents accessible names for focusable interactive elements and action-based naming for icon buttons. |
| Text input | Choose text input when the user enters a short freeform value such as a reference, title, identifier, one-line note, or organization name. | Typing, deleting, selection, undo, and paste operate like a native single-line text field. | WAI-ARIA APG names and descriptions guidance supports accessible naming and avoiding placeholder-only naming for inputs. |
| Textarea | Choose textarea when the expected response is more than a short single-line answer. | Typing, selection, line breaks, paste, undo, redo, and spellcheck follow native textarea behavior. | WAI-ARIA APG names and descriptions guidance supports accessible labels and descriptions for textarea fields. |
Comparisons supported by this source
- Icon-only ambiguous action vs confirmation dialog vs undo
WAI-ARIA APG documents accessible names for focusable interactive elements and action-based naming for icon buttons.
- Text input vs autocomplete vs select vs radio group
WAI-ARIA APG names and descriptions guidance supports persistent accessible names for focusable inputs.
- Textarea vs text input vs inline validation vs error summary
WAI-ARIA APG names and descriptions guidance supports accessible names and descriptions for textarea fields.
Evidence Role
This source is treated as spec evidence. Its value comes from the specific claims and setting described above.
Publisher: W3C Web Accessibility Initiative. Last checked: .