Removing a Link’s Role

ARIA provides a role which removes the inherent semantics of an element. While this works in most browsers and screen readers, it is rarely needed.

Using role=presentation on a link

Using role="presentation", only the role of an element’s is removed. Any other inherent feature will remain untouched.

For example, a link with role="presentation" neither will be announced as “link” by NVDA nor will it be listed in NVDA’s “Elements list” window (NVDA + F7). But it will remain being focusable like any other link, and clicking it will still open its target location.

Working example

The following link is still clickable.

Google

Is this what you expected?

Conclusion

There are only very few edge cases where removing semantics makes sense, usually when fiddling around with ARIA widgets (see The purpose behind the WAI-ARIA standard).

In general, when sticking to this guide’s recommendations (especially that widgets should be created using traditional HTML controls, see Widgets simply working for all), you will not need role="presentation" at all.

Code

<p>
  The following link is still clickable.
</p>
<a href="http://www.google.com" role="presentation">Google</a>
<p>
  Is this what you expected?
</p>
NIL
NIL