role="presentation" must not be on focusable or labelled elements

Rule presentation-role-conflict · ARIA · impact moderate · Static + live

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Why it matters#

role="presentation"/"none" tells AT to ignore an element’s semantics — but the browser ignores that request if the element is focusable or carries a global ARIA state/label, producing a contradictory, unpredictable result.

How to fix#

Remove the presentation role, or remove the focusability / aria-* that conflicts with it.

Example#

<button role="presentation" aria-label="x">x</button>

<span role="presentation">x</span>

WCAG success criteria#

4.1.2 Name, Role, Value — Level A#

Every UI component must expose a correct name, role, and (where relevant) state/value to assistive technology.

Understanding 4.1.2

Standards#

This rule contributes to the following standards:

WCAG A EN 301 549 ACT Best practice

References#

• WAI-ARIA — presentation