Ensure logical focus order for assistive technologies

(In development)

Ensure assistive technologies use a logical focus order when navigating. The order of navigating a screen is usually from left to right, from top to bottom. Make sure assistive technologies use an equivalent focus order. Also ensure that the order which assistive technologies follow reflect the meaning of the content. Otherwise users of assistive technology may misunderstand the content.

Impact

People who use assistive technologies such as the screen reader, keyboard, and switch controls benefit from a focus order that makes sense.

Solutions

Elements

  • All non-decorative element with a screen reader
  • All interactive elements with a keyboard

Testing

Automated testing

This issue can be detected automatically with the Abra Test Engine.

Manual testing

Use both screen reader and external keyboard. Ensure that the order which assistive technologies follow reflect the meaning of the content. The focus order should go from left to right from top to bottom.

  1. Check if the screen reader uses a logical order to navigate the screen.
  2. Check if all non-decorative elements receive focus.
  3. Check if the screen reader and external keyboard use an understandable order to navigate the screen.

Passes logical focus order if 1 and 2 are true. Passes meaningful focus order if 3 is true.

In rare cases the default order makes the information not understandable. In that case you should deviate from the default focus order. For example in case of two article next to each other. The visual reading order is article 1 heading and its content and only then you go to heading article 2 and its content.

Exceptions

N/A

Relevant sources

Always check the official guidelines.