Why should we avoid using role = application in web development?

The reasoning behind avoiding the use of role="application" in web development primarily centers around its impact on accessibility, particularly for users relying on screen readers. When role="application" is applied, it instructs assistive technologies to treat the entire area of the web application as a single application interface, which can interfere with the usual navigation and interaction mechanisms that users expect.

This role changes how focus and keyboard interactions are handled, prioritizing application-level interactions over document-level navigation. As a result, users may find it more challenging to understand the relationships between elements or to use standard keyboard shortcuts, leading to a more confusing and less accessible experience.

This is particularly problematic in dynamic web applications where the content is frequently updated, as screen readers may fail to announce these changes appropriately when they are treated simply as part of the application interface rather than also recognizing individual updates or changes. Therefore, limiting the use of role="application" can enhance the accessibility and overall user experience for individuals utilizing assistive technologies.