ARIA: search role
The search
role is used to identify the search functionality; the section of the page used to search the page, site, or collection of sites.
html
<form role="search">
<!-- search input -->
</form>
Description
The search
role is a landmark role that can be added to the container element that encompasses all of the elements that combined to form the search feature of the document or application, including a descendant (<input type="search">
). If a document includes more than one search, each should have a unique label, unless they are the same search repeated, then use the same name. While there is a input
of type search
), there is no HTML element that defines a search landmark.
Examples
Accessibility concerns
Landmark roles are intended to be used sparingly, to identify larger overall sections of the document. Using too many landmark roles can create "noise" in screen readers, making it difficult to understand the overall layout of the page.
Best practices
Prefer HTML
Using the <form>
element in conjunction with a declaration of role="search"
will provide the largest amount of support.
Labeling landmarks
Multiple landmarks
If there is more than one search
landmark role in a document, provide a label for each landmark. This label will allow an assistive technology user to be able to quickly understand the purpose of each landmark.
html
<form id="site-search" role="search" aria-label="Sitewide">
<!-- search input -->
</form>
…
<form id="page-search" role="search" aria-label="On this page">
<!-- search input -->
</form>
Repeated landmarks
If a search
landmark role in a document is repeated in a document, and both landmarks have identical content, use the same label for each landmark. An example of this would be repeating the sitewide search at the top and bottom of the page.
html
<header>
<form id="site-search-top" role="search" aria-label="Sitewide">
<!-- search input -->
</form>
</header>
…
<footer>
<form id="site-search-bottom" role="search" aria-label="Sitewide">
<!-- search input -->
</form>
</footer>
Redundant descriptions
Screen readers will announce the type of role the landmark is. Because of this, you do not need to describe what the landmark is in its label. For example, a declaration of role="search"
with an aria-label="Sitewide search"
may be announced redundantly as, "sitewide search search".
Specifications
Specification |
---|
Accessible Rich Internet Applications (WAI-ARIA) # search |
ARIA Authoring Practices # aria_lh_search |
See also
- The
<form>
element - The
<input>
element <input type="search">
- Using HTML sections and outlines