Although many assume accessibility is just about meeting guidelines, it’s in fact about creating clarity for everyone who interacts with your website. In the world of digital content, clarity often comes down to how elements are described to users who rely on assistive technologies like screen readers. This is where ARIA attributes come in.
In Greyd.Suite, you can add ARIA attributes like aria-label, aria-labelledby, aria-describedby and aria-hidden to any block. That flexibility matters, because accessibility doesn’t start or end with developers. It’s a shared responsibility between design, content, and technical implementation.
There are many ARIA attributes in existence, but these four are the most relevant when working with actual page content. That’s why these have been made available directly in Greyd.Suite, so everyone involved in creating or editing a site can make informed, accessibility-conscious choices without writing code.
When used thoughtfully, these attributes not only ensure compliance and inclusivity, they also improve overall usability and boost conversion rates. A website that’s easier to understand and navigate naturally performs better, because users spend less time guessing and more time engaging. In fact, according to a recent study on 10,000 websites by Semrush, accessibility matters more than ever for SEO performance.
aria-label – naming what’s not visible
Sometimes a visual label isn’t enough, or it’s missing altogether. aria-label allows you to give a clear, accessible name to an element, even when that name isn’t shown on screen.
Think of a button with only an icon. A sighted user might see a magnifying glass and understand it means “Search.” A screen reader, however, needs a text label to announce what the button does. aria-label=”Search” makes that possible.
Used wisely, aria-label improves usability and compliance without changing the visible design. But it also requires thought: when you add a label, make sure it describes the purpose clearly. “Go” or “Click here” won’t help anyone. “Search site” or “Submit contact form” will.
aria-labelledby – linking words and actions
aria-labelledby connects one element’s description to another element that already exists on the page. This is useful when you have visible text that describes something, and you want assistive technologies to recognize that connection.
For example, if a form field is visually labeled by a paragraph or heading above it, aria-labelledby tells the screen reader, “use that text to describe this field.” It avoids duplication and ensures consistency.
It’s like working in a kitchen where every utensil belongs to the same set, instead of rummaging through drawers full of mismatched tools that don’t fit together.
In complex interfaces like mega menus or multi-section forms, this becomes essential. It’s how you ensure that users navigating with assistive tools understand which section they’re in, even when headings are limited for SEO or design reasons. It’s one of those small details that make a site feel intuitive to everyone.
aria-describedby – adding helpful context
Some elements need more than a name. aria-describedby lets you attach extra information that explains or clarifies what something does.
Think of it as the digital version of a helpful aside. A password field might say “Must be at least 8 characters” or a download link might include “opens in a new window.” That extra detail doesn’t belong in the main label, but it still matters for usability.
Another example is an infographic. While the image itself might have a short alt text summarizing its topic, aria-describedby can point to a longer text description elsewhere on the page. That way, users who can’t see the graphic still get the full context and meaning it conveys.
Used thoughtfully, aria-describedby makes forms easier to complete and complex visuals more understandable. It’s a way to support users who might otherwise have to guess or miss key information, and it prevents frustration that can lead to abandoned forms or lost conversions.
aria-hidden – when hiding is helpful
There are cases where you don’t want certain content read by assistive technologies at all. aria-hidden=”true” tells screen readers to skip an element entirely.
This is useful for purely decorative icons, duplicated content, or visual effects that don’t add meaning. Without it, screen readers might read the same thing twice or announce random bits of layout that confuse users.
However, aria-hidden must be used with care. Hiding meaningful content breaks accessibility, while hiding redundant decoration improves it. The difference comes down to intent and awareness — both of which are easier to manage when every block in your site builder gives you control.
When not using ARIA is the better choice
Before adding ARIA attributes, it’s always worth asking if they’re truly needed. The first rule of accessible design is simple: don’t use ARIA if you can achieve the same clarity with native HTML. Elements like buttons, links, form labels, and headings already come with built-in accessibility support. When used correctly, they communicate purpose and hierarchy clearly to assistive technologies without any extra code.
ARIA is there to fill gaps, not to replace standard, semantic markup. Overusing it can make content harder to understand or even cause conflicting information for screen readers. The best accessibility approach is to build with solid structure first, then use ARIA attributes only when native HTML can’t express what you need.
Greyd.Suite gives you that flexibility. You can rely on clean, semantic building blocks for most situations, and only apply ARIA attributes when they genuinely add value.
Accessibility, compliance, and shared responsibility
Accessibility attributes are more than technical extras. They reflect thoughtful communication between everyone involved in building a website. Designers define structure, developers ensure it functions, and content editors give it meaning.
Greyd.Suite makes this collaboration easier by allowing anyone, not just developers, to set ARIA attributes on any block. That empowers teams to ensure accessible, compliant, and conversion-friendly content at scale.
With the European Accessibility Act having taken effect in June 2025, it doesn’t introduce a new concept. It finally enforces what should have been a business priority all along. Accessibility has always been about usability, reach, and trust. With Greyd.Suite, these principles become part of your everyday workflow. By giving every role, from developer to content editor, the tools to apply accessibility best practices directly, compliance becomes a natural outcome of good design and thoughtful communication.
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