What is the relationship of WAI-ARIA to current browsers?
ARIA techniques have no impact on browser function other than how the page interacts with assistive technologies — it does not affect how mainstream users interact with the page. It also does not affect how the page works on legacy browsers at all. It only improves accessibility for previously inaccessible widgets and web pages. Browsers that support ARIA techniques – including Firefox and Opera – allow access to widget function for assistive technologies. On browsers that do not yet support ARIA, the widgets will simply continue to work as they currently do in those browsers. In such circumstances, the widgets will function for sighted mouse users, etc., but will not be accessible on those browsers. People using assistive technology will therefore use the browsers that support their needed tools. So there is basically no effect except the positive one for users with disabilities using modern software. There is no need to wait for full browser support therefore and ARIA can be used no
