Navigation

Application keyboard navigation.

Indicators

Impact

(How ScanGov measures tasklist priorities.)

About

Improve accessibility by following these recommendations:

  1. [accesskey] values are unique: Access keys let users quickly focus a part of the page. For proper navigation, each access key must be unique.

  2. The page contains a heading, skip link, or landmark region: Adding ways to bypass repetitive content lets keyboard users navigate the page more efficiently.

  3. Heading elements appear in a sequentially-descending order: Properly ordered headings that do not skip levels convey the semantic structure of the page, making it easier to navigate and understand when using assistive technologies.

  4. No element has a [tabindex] value greater than 0: A value greater than 0 implies an explicit navigation ordering. Although technically valid, this often creates frustrating experiences for users who rely on assistive technologies.

Why it's important

Enables users with motor disabilities to navigate apps efficiently using only the keyboard, improving accessibility and speed.

User stories

As a screen reader user, I want buttons and form fields to have clear, descriptive names and labels so that I can understand their purpose and interact with them confidently.

Error

(ScanGov messaging when a site fails a standard)

Keyboard navigation is not functional.

Guidance

Feedback