The criterion behind it
4.1.2 Name, Role, Value
Every control must expose what it is, what it is called, and what state it is in.
Level A · EN 301 549 § 9.4.1.2
Why this check exists
This is the criterion custom components break. A `div` styled as a checkbox tells assistive tech nothing about being checked.
What usually triggers it
- failsA `<div>` toggle with no `role="switch"` and no `aria-checked`.
- failsAn icon button with no accessible name.
- failsAn accordion whose header never updates `aria-expanded`.
- failsA custom `<select>` with no `role="combobox"` and no `aria-activedescendant`.
How to fix it
- doUse the native element wherever one exists. `<button>`, `<input type="checkbox">` and `<select>` get all of this for free.
- doFor a genuinely custom widget, follow the ARIA Authoring Practices pattern for it, including keyboard behaviour.
- doKeep state attributes in sync with what is on screen.
How it is reported
A11ySignal reports this at serious impact. Every failing element comes with its CSS selector and the markup that failed, so you can go straight to the line rather than hunting for it. Deque publishes the engine-level detail:
https://dequeuniversity.com/rules/axe/4.13/aria-tooltip-name ↗
Check implemented by axe-core 4.13.0, © Deque Systems, MPL-2.0.
Other checks for 4.1.2
criticalarea-altActive <area> elements must have alternative text
criticalaria-allowed-attrElements must only use supported ARIA attributes
criticalaria-hidden-bodyaria-hidden="true" must not be present on the document body
criticalaria-required-attrRequired ARIA attributes must be provided
criticalaria-rolesARIA roles used must conform to valid values
criticalaria-valid-attrARIA attributes must conform to valid names
criticalaria-valid-attr-valueARIA attributes must conform to valid values
criticalbutton-nameButtons must have discernible text
criticalduplicate-id-ariaIDs used in ARIA and labels must be unique
criticalinput-button-nameInput buttons must have discernible text
criticalinput-image-altImage buttons must have alternative text
criticallabelForm elements must have labels
criticalselect-nameSelect element must have an accessible name
seriousaria-braille-equivalentaria-braille attributes must have a non-braille equivalent
seriousaria-command-nameARIA commands must have an accessible name
seriousaria-conditional-attrARIA attributes must be used as specified for the element's role
seriousaria-hidden-focusARIA hidden element must not be focusable or contain focusable elements
seriousaria-input-field-nameARIA input fields must have an accessible name
seriousaria-prohibited-attrElements must only use permitted ARIA attributes
seriousaria-roledescriptionaria-roledescription must be on elements with a semantic role
seriousaria-tab-nameARIA tab nodes must have an accessible name
seriousaria-toggle-field-nameARIA toggle fields must have an accessible name
seriousframe-titleFrames must have an accessible name
seriousframe-title-uniqueFrames must have a unique title attribute
seriouslink-nameLinks must have discernible text
seriousnested-interactiveInteractive controls must not be nested
serioussummary-nameSummary elements must have discernible text
minoraria-deprecated-roleDeprecated ARIA roles must not be used