Suggested Tools
- Standard desktop or laptop keyboard
Key Concepts
- Any clickable element should also receive focus and be activated using the keyboard.
- Element with focus should display a visible focus indicator.
Check Keyboard Operability
- Use only the keyboard to perform all tasks
- Use the TAB key to move from one interactive element to the next. Use Shift+TAB to move to the previous interactive element.
- Use ENTER and SPACEBAR to activate interactive elements.
- Use ESC or tab to a CLOSE button to close interactive elements.
- An interactive element should display a visible indicator when it receives focus.
- Activate all interactive elements using the spacebar or Enter key.
- If an element produces a popup, modal window, overlay, or similar dynamic object, keyboard focus should remain within that object until the user closes the object.
- Elements that expand when activated (e.g. accordions, fly-out menus, drop-down lists, etc.) should also collapse with a keyboard command.
- Keyboard navigation should not become caught in a keyboard trap, where the user cannot tab or arrow away from a section or region of the interface.
Fail
- No Skip Link
- No visible focus
- Unable to activate interactive element
- Keyboard trap
- Focus outside of modal dialog