Keyboard Accessibility
What is keyboard accessibility?
One of the most critical aspects of web accessibility is keyboard accessibility. People with visual and motor disabilities often rely on keyboards to navigate a website. An accessible site requires the internet users to be able to access the content on a webpage using only their keyboard.
Why is it important?
All of the content on your website must be accessible through the Tab key on the keyboard. Some users rely on the keyboard because they have difficulty with a computer mouse due to visual or motor impairments. Without keyboard accessibility, the user will not be able to navigate your website.
Keyboard Navigation
- Tab - Move forward to the next link or control
- Shift + Tab - Move to the previous link or control
- Spacebar - Select buttons
- Enter - active the current link
- F5 - refresh the current screen
- CTRL + Home - Go to the top of the page
- CTR+ End - Go to the bottom of the page
- ALT + Left Arrow - Go to the previous page
- ALT + Right Arrow - Go to the next page
Keyboard Focus
Keyboard focus is the control on the screen that is receiving input from the keyboard, which allows the user to use the tab key to navigate the interactive elements on a web page (links, forms, fields, etc.). When an item is in focus, it can be controlled through the keyboard.
Keyboard Traps
A keyboard trap is when an internet user is unable to move the focus from an interactive element or return to a previous element with their keyboard. Keyboard traps can have a significantly negative impact on visually impaired users who are only able to navigate a web page through their keyboard.