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Re: WCAG and role="presentation"

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From: Lovely, Brian (CONT)
Date: Aug 23, 2017 6:54AM

I would call out a page for a table containing non-tabular data.

The role of presentation strips an element of its semantic meaning (essentially converting it to the equivalent of a non-semantic container like a div or span). The semantic meaning of elements is an important part of accessibility, particularly actionable elements. Use of the correct semantic element provides information about the type of information presented, and how the element can be successfully interacted with. I'm not always a "slippery slope" kind of guy, but once you start to erode the trust in the semantic information you present, the user really doesn't know what to expect and must take the extra time and energy to determine if elements are actually what they are presenting themselves to be, and if those elements actually behave as expected.

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum [mailto: <EMAIL REMOVED> ] On Behalf Of Peter Shikli
Sent: Tuesday, August 22, 2017 5:33 PM
To: WebAIM Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: [WebAIM] WCAG and role="presentation"

My question is whether it is a violation to not use role="presentation" on elements which are used for presentation purposes only, such as tables. I realize we should use it for decorative tables, but is it a requirement for a Level AA rating per WCAG Success Guideline 1.3.1 "Info and Relationships"?

Understanding WCAG 2.0, http://www.w3.org/TR/UNDERSTANDING-WCAG20/ states that when possible, information presented visually should also be made available programmatically. Many examples are given, but I would like some clarification specifically on the use of WAI-ARIA's role="presentation."

Sincerely,
Peter Shikli
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503-570-6831
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Access2online
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