ARIA Labels Can Break Voice Navigation

Vibe Check – When ARIA Labels Can Break Voice Navigation

ARIA labels are a powerful tool for improving accessibility, but they can unintentionally create barriers for voice technology users. Many people who rely on voice commands to navigate the web don’t use grid-based, number-based, or name-based selection systems—they speak the exact text they see on the screen to interact with buttons, links, and fields.

However, ARIA labels override visible text, meaning voice users can’t see or say the correct command to activate an element. Let’s break down why this happens and how designers can use ARIA without breaking voice interactions.

A Personal Story – When ARIA Labels Left Me Stuck

I was once testing a site that had well-structured ARIA labels, or so I thought. Everything seemed fine until I tried using voice commands. The button clearly said “Next” on the screen, but when I said, “Click Next,” nothing happened.

After digging into the code, I realized the button had an ARIA label of “Continue” instead of matching the visible text. The voice system didn’t recognize my command because it was expecting a completely different label. This small oversight turned a simple task into a frustrating experience—and I knew that for daily voice navigation users, this issue could be a real barrier.

Let’s dive into how ARIA affects voice navigation and how we can fix it.

Elevate the Vibe – How ARIA Labels Impact Voice Navigation

ARIA Overrides Visual Text, Hiding the Real Command

When an ARIA label is applied to a button or link, assistive technologies no longer recognize the actual text visible on the screen. Instead, they announce the ARIA label, even if it’s different from the on-screen content.

Why this is a problem for voice users:

Many voice technology users interact by speaking the exact text they see.
If a button visually says "Submit" but has an ARIA label of "Confirm Selection", a voice user may say "Submit" and get no response.
The system is expecting the ARIA-labeled text, which the user can’t see or anticipate.

ARIA Can Remove Critical Context

ARIA labels are sometimes used to provide extra instructions, but if they completely replace the visible text, they may strip away meaning.

Example of unintended consequences:

A button that visually says “Save Changes” might have an ARIA label like “Update your profile settings”.
A voice user trying to “Click Save Changes” won’t get a response because the system only recognizes the hidden ARIA label.
If there are multiple buttons on the page, inconsistent ARIA labels can make navigation even harder.

Not All Voice Technology Users Rely on Number or Grid Systems

Some voice technology users do not rely on number-based or grid-based selection methods. Instead, they use:

Exact Spoken Text – They say what they see to select buttons, links, or inputs.
Natural Language Commands – They describe actions based on what’s visually available.

ARIA labels disrupt these workflows because they replace text instead of enhancing it, meaning:

If a user sees “Next” but the ARIA label says “Continue”, saying “Next” won’t work.
If a button only has an icon with an ARIA label like “Go forward”, a voice user won’t know what to say.

Self-Reflection – Is Your ARIA Implementation Breaking Voice Navigation?

Ask yourself:

Does my ARIA labeling match the visible text?
Have I tested my ARIA-labeled buttons with voice technology?
Are there buttons or links that behave differently when ARIA is applied?
Can users still interact with elements using only what they see on the screen?

If any of these raise concerns, it’s time to adjust your ARIA approach.

Vibe in Action – Making ARIA Work for Voice Users

Keep Visible Text & ARIA Labels Aligned

Avoid:

<button aria-label="Confirm">Submit</button>

Use:

<button aria-label="Submit">Submit</button>

Ensure ARIA matches the visible text so voice users can interact naturally.

Use ARIA for Extra Context, Not Replacement

If additional instructions are needed, use aria-describedby instead of replacing the label.

Example:
Good:

<button aria-describedby="extraInfo">Submit</button>

Bad:

<button aria-label="Confirm">Submit</button> 

Test ARIA with Voice Commands

Try navigating your site using voice commands to see if elements are still selectable.

Make sure buttons respond to their visible text as well as any ARIA attributes.

Provide Alternative Selection Methods

Ensure that users who do not use a number/grid system can still select elements easily.

Avoid ARIA-only labels for elements without corresponding visible text.

Vibing Out

ARIA labels are meant to improve accessibility, but when used incorrectly, they break voice technology workflows by hiding critical text. Instead of assuming all assistive tech users navigate the same way, designers must ensure visible text remains interactable while still providing necessary enhancements for screen reader users.

By aligning ARIA labels with visible content, testing voice interactions, and keeping text contextually clear, we can eliminate barriers and create a truly inclusive digital experience.

The best accessibility solutions work for everyone—not just some.