Elements with an ARIA [role] that require children to contain a specific [role] have all required children

Interactive groups contain all the child elements they need to work correctly.

Impact

Some ARIA parent roles must contain specific child roles to perform their intended accessibility functions.

Screen readers cannot navigate grouped elements like menus or lists.

Ensures assistive technologies like screen readers can correctly interpret and announce page elements to users with disabilities.

As a screen reader user, I want ARIA attributes to be correctly implemented so that I can understand the purpose and state of interactive elements.

Failing pattern:

<!-- Fail: listbox missing required option children -->
<ul role="listbox"></ul>

Passing pattern:

<!-- Pass: listbox contains option children -->
<ul role="listbox">
  <li role="option">Alabama</li>
  <li role="option">Alaska</li>
</ul>

ScanGov messaging when a site fails a standard:

Failed: Elements with an ARIA [role] that require children to contain a specific [role] have all required children