a[href] element role semantics. (Deprecated)

Rule ID Role 12
Definition a[href] elements must only have role values of link (default), button, checkbox, menuitem, menuitemcheckbox, menuitemradio, tab, switch or treeitem. NOTE: Deprecated in favor of HTML 3 a more general rule on role restrictions based on ARIA in HTML specification.
Purpose
  • The a[href] has a default role of link and the browser natively supports the behavior of being part of the tab order of the page (e.g. tabindex=0) and will repsond to click events and the enter key.
  • When a[href] elements only need to use the role attribute when they are part of interactive widgets and are restricted to subset of widget roles: button, checkbox, menuitem, menuitemcheckbox, menuitemradio, tab, switch or treeitem.
Mappings
  • HTML4 Legacy Techniques (Recommended)
  • HTML5 and ARIA Techniques (Recommended)
WCAG Success Criteria

4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A, Primary Success Criterion)

Rule Category Links
Scope Element
Target Resources a[href] elements
  • a
Techniques
  • The a[href] element's default role of link can only be overridden with following roles: button, checkbox, menuitem, menuitemcheckbox, menuitemradio, tab, switch or treeitem.
Informational Links