article element role semantics. (Deprecated)

Rule ID Role 4
Definition article element must only have role semantics of region, article (default), main, document or application. NOTE: Deprecated in favor of HTML 3 a more general rule on role restrictions based on ARIA in HTML specification.
Purpose
  • The article element has role restrictions as part of its definition in the W3C HTML5 Specification.
  • The article element can be primarily be used to identify news paper or magazine articles, a list or nested messages in a comment or discussion list.
  • The article element might also be used to identify static text and image content in a web application using the region or document role.
  • The article element might also be used to identify a section of form controls and widgets in a web application using the region or application role.
Required No for HTML5 and ARIA Techniques ruleset mapping
WCAG Success Criteria

1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A, Primary Success Criterion)

Rule Category Styling/Content
Scope Element
Target Resources article element
  • article
Techniques
  • If the content of the article element is primarily form controls and/or widgets use role="application" on the article element.
  • If the content of the article element is used as the container for the main content of the page use role="main" on the article element or preferably change the element to a main element.
  • If the content of the article element is used as the container for a message in nested discussion list, comment to a blog, or as a magazine/news story use role="article" on the article element.
  • If the content of the article element is used as a sub-section of another landmark use role="region" with an accessible name to identify the sub-section.
  • If the content of the article element does not meet any of the other techniques do not use the role attribute.
Informational Links