Making accessibility standards easy to understand, one success criterion at a time.

theme: Keyboard

Navigation and operation using only a keyboard.

WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level AA

1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus

Tooltips can be dismissed, usually via the esc key, the text in the tooltip can be selected, and they don’t time out on their own.

Gestures, Keyboard, Zoom and Legibility
Cognitive, Visual
Code, Design
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

2.1.1 Keyboard

Can you get around using the keyboard alone.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap

There shouldn’t be a situation where you enter a modal with the keyboard and can’t get back to where you were.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level AAA

2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exception)

You can navigate and interact with a page using the keyboard alone.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Content, Design
WCAG 2.1, 2.2 Level A

2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts

Keyboard shortcuts should use modifier keys, like ctrl, command, or alt/option.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

2.4.1 Bypass Blocks

‘Skip links’ are available for keyboard users to jump past navigation.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code, Design
WCAG 2.2 Level AA

2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum)

The keyboard focus is not completely hidden by other content.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code, Design
WCAG 2.2 Level AAA

2.4.12 Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced)

The keyboard focus is fully visible at all times.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code, Design
WCAG 2.2 Level AAA

2.4.13 Focus Appearance

Focus indicators are at least 2px thick and have a 3:1 contrast ratio against adjacent colors.

Keyboard, Sensory
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code, Design
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level A

2.4.3 Focus Order

When a keyboard user tabs through a page, the order goes from top to bottom and left to right, as you would read the page.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code