http://stackoverflow.com/questions/21199141/bootstrap-modal-close-button-aria-hidden-true
最后一个人回答得不错:
ARIA Attributes are used to make the web more accessible to those with disabilities, particularly those using screen readers. With the benefit of sight, we can see that the × (x) symbol is being used as an 'X', indicating that if you click on it the modal will close. For someone using a screen reader, if the modal is set up appropriately:
<button type="button" class="close" data-dismiss="modal" aria-label="Close"> <span aria-hidden="true">×</span> </button>
When a screen reader goes over this code, it will read simply read "Close Button".
<button type="button" class="close" data-dismiss="modal" aria-label="Close"> <span>×</span> </button> <button type="button" class="close" data-dismiss="modal" aria-label="Close">×</button>
Both of these will lead to the same result when read by the screen reader, it saying "Close Multiplication Symbol Button" or something to that effect.
<button type="button" class="close" data-dismiss="modal" aria-label="Close" aria-hidden="true">×</button>
In this last case, adding aria-hidden="true" to the button itself will make the screen reader ignore the entire close button, forcing the user to continue reading to the footer before finding the close button (If there is a close button in the footer, if there isn't, they are going to have a hard time closing it)
The functionality for the typical web user is the same in all these examples, but for a segment of the population, taking care and consideration in the design, layout, and tag placement could be the difference between a website frequently visited and a website never visited again.