Navigation
Application keyboard navigation.
Impact
(How ScanGov measures tasklist priorities.)
Why it's important
Ensuring that users can navigate a site using a keyboard is critical for accessibility, especially for users with motor disabilities.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.
Links
About
Improve accessibility by following these recommendations:
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[accesskey]values are unique: Access keys let users quickly focus a part of the page. For proper navigation, each access key must be unique. -
The page contains a heading, skip link, or landmark region: Adding ways to bypass repetitive content lets keyboard users navigate the page more efficiently.
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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.
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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.