Keyboard navigation is an everyday way of using the web for many people. It also offers a useful perspective on the structure of a page.

Use the Tab key to move through interactive elements and look for a visible focus indicator. The order should make sense, and a dialog should offer a clear way to close it.

A page that works through more than one input method is more adaptable. Accessibility is part of the experience rather than an extra feature added at the end.

A few starting points
  1. Follow the page’s tab order.
  2. Look for a visible focus indicator.
  3. Open and close an interactive panel.

A small working example.

A visitor closing a dialog needs a sensible place to continue. Returning focus to the control that opened it preserves the surrounding task.

A note to keep beside it.

Try changing the conditions of the visit. Less space, a longer sentence, or a different input method can reveal whether the experience depends on an ideal reader.

Follow a related question

Export a small representative sample.

Choose a tool with an exit

Review access for one application.

Review permissions after the task

Keep learning

Related background to continue exploring this subject.

W3C: web accessibility W3C: understanding accessibility criteria
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