Keyboard / Alternative input with focus
When you cannot use the mouse the order in which the main toolbars and menus are accessed is very important. Fields, dialog boxes and focal points should all be reached in as logical a manner as possible so that the screen reader, keyboard and switch user can reach all the features in the application. It should also be possible to see where the focus lands with an outlined or highlighted object. (CEUD 1.4, IBM 1.1, IBM 1.2, IBM 2.1 , VPAT section 1194.21 (c)).
Testing Techniques
These techniques may be used to perform the test.
Method
Keyboard checks with (NVDA screen reader or Thunder screen reader). Watch for the focus as you move through the features, the item (icon or menu item etc) should be clearly defined with an outline or mark that it can be activated.
Criteria for this Test
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Focus fails to reach information screens or dialog boxes |
|---|---|
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keyboard access reaches information screens or dialog boxes but tab order is poor and focus is not clearly visible or well described for a screen reader user. |
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Keyboard access reaches information screens or dialog boxes, tab order is good but focus is not clearly visible or well described for a screen reader user. |
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Keyboard access reaches information screens or dialog boxes, keyboard tab order is good and focus is clearly visible with good descriptions. |
