Removing Semantics using Presentation 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.

Intended use of role=presentation

To a screen reader, the following is no paragraph anymore, and as such cannot be navigated to by pressing the P key:

Working example

This is a real paragraph.

This heading has lost its inherent role.

This again is a real paragraph.

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>
  This is a real paragraph.
</p>
<h2 role="presentation">
  This heading has lost its inherent role.
</h2>
<p>
  This again is a real paragraph.
</p>

NIL

NIL