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href="/WAI/translations/">All Translations</a></p> <p><a href="/WAI/about/translating/">Translating WAI Resources</a></p> </nav> </div> <main id="main" lang="en"> <header class="in-resource"> <h1> Keyboard Compatibility </h1><p>in <a lang="en" href="/WAI/perspective-videos/"><span>Web Accessibility Perspectives Videos: Explore the Impact and Benefits for Everyone</span></a></p></header> <p>Web accessibility is essential for people with disabilities and useful for all. Learn about the impact of accessibility and the benefits for everyone in a variety of situations.</p> <h2 id="film" class="no-display">Video on Keyboard Compatibility</h2> <div class="video-container" data-video-type="" dir="ltr"> <video preload="metadata" data-youtube-id="93UgG72os8M" data-youtube-nocookie="true" data-description-audible="false" playsinline=""><track src="/WAI/wai-videos/perspective-videos/en/keyboard.en.vtt" label="English" kind="captions" srclang="en" default="" /><track src="/WAI/wai-videos/perspective-videos/fr/keyboard.fr.vtt" label="français" kind="subtitles" srclang="fr" /></video> </div> <div class="video-container" data-video-type="audio-described"> <video preload="metadata" data-youtube-id="1rBwxGMT9ZM" data-youtube-nocookie="true" data-description-audible="false" playsinline=""><track src="/WAI/wai-videos/perspective-videos/en/keyboard_ad.en.vtt" label="English" kind="captions" srclang="en" default="" /><track src="/WAI/wai-videos/perspective-videos/fr/keyboard_ad.fr.vtt" label="français" kind="subtitles" srclang="fr" /><track src="/WAI/wai-videos/perspective-videos/en/keyboard_ad_desc.en.vtt" label="English" kind="descriptions" srclang="en" default="" /><track src="/WAI/wai-videos/perspective-videos/fr/keyboard_ad_desc.fr.vtt" label="français" kind="descriptions" srclang="fr" /></video> </div> <p><button id="audio_description_button"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon-audio-description "><use xlink:href="/WAI/assets/images/icons.svg#icon-audio-description"></use></svg> <span>Enable Audio Description</span></button></p> <script src="//ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.2.1/jquery.min.js"></script> <script src="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/js-cookie@3.0.1/dist/js.cookie.min.js"></script> <script src="/WAI/assets/ableplayer/build/ableplayer.min.js"></script> <script> var youTubeDataAPIKey = "AIzaSyBzq155tA3E3gaYlRdx2S9U9FM78U1-568"; var googleApiReady = false; function initGoogleClientApi() { googleApiReady = true; } </script> <script src="//apis.google.com/js/client.js?onload=initGoogleClientApi"></script> <script> (function () { 'use strict'; let player1 = new AblePlayer($('[data-video-type=""] video')); const audiodescribed = document.querySelectorAll('[data-video-type="audio-described"]'); const nonaudiodescribed = document.querySelectorAll('[data-video-type=""]'); if (audiodescribed.length > 0) { let player2 = new AblePlayer($('[data-video-type="audio-described"] video')); Array.prototype.forEach.call(audiodescribed, function(el, i){ el.setAttribute('hidden', true); }); const adbutton = document.querySelector('#audio_description_button'); adbutton.addEventListener('click', function(e){ player1.pauseMedia(); player2.pauseMedia(); if (e.currentTarget.getAttribute('data-status') === "audio-described") { Array.prototype.forEach.call(nonaudiodescribed, function(el, i){ el.removeAttribute("hidden"); }); Array.prototype.forEach.call(audiodescribed, function(el, i){ el.setAttribute('hidden', true); }); e.currentTarget.setAttribute('data-status', 'non-audio-described'); e.currentTarget.querySelector('span').textContent = 'Enable Audio Description'; } else { Array.prototype.forEach.call(nonaudiodescribed, function(el, i){ el.setAttribute('hidden', true); }); Array.prototype.forEach.call(audiodescribed, function(el, i){ el.removeAttribute("hidden"); }); e.currentTarget.setAttribute('data-status', 'audio-described'); e.currentTarget.querySelector('span').textContent = 'Disable Audio Description'; } }); } }()); </script> <p>This video information is available as a <a href="#transcript">Text Transcript with Description of Visuals</a> below.</p> <h2 id="what">What is “Keyboard Compatibility”?</h2> <p>All functionality must be usable with the keyboard. That is, users can access and move between links, buttons, forms, and other controls using the Tab key and other keystrokes. Websites should not require a mouse; for example, pop-up calendars should also let users type in a date.</p> <h2 id="who">Who depends on this feature?</h2> <ul> <li>People with physical disabilities who cannot use the mouse.</li> <li>People who are blind, and cannot see the mouse pointer on the screen.</li> <li>People with chronic conditions, such as repetitive stress injuries (RSI), who should limit or avoid use of a mouse.</li> </ul> <h2 id="others">What are the additional benefits?</h2> <ul> <li>Content works for people with temporary limitations, such as a broken arm or broken mouse.</li> </ul> <h2 id="action">What needs to happen for this to work?</h2> <p>Native HTML controls, like links, buttons, and form elements, work with the keyboard by default and should be used where possible. Custom-made controls, CSS styles, and scripts that control interaction may need additional coding for keyboard compatibility. Ensure that the tab order is logical, to allow keyboard navigation around the content and controls. Provide a way for users to jump between blocks of content and controls, and to close pop-up boxes and menus using the keyboard. Keyboard issues occur particularly in forms, menus, and applications with many controls.</p> <h2 id="resources">Learn more</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Accessibility Principle:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="/WAI/fundamentals/accessibility-principles/#keyboard">Functionality is available from a keyboard</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Getting Started:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="/WAI/tips/developing/#ensure-that-all-interactive-elements-are-keyboard-accessible">Ensure that all interactive elements are keyboard accessible</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Easy Check:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="/WAI/test-evaluate/preliminary/#interaction">Keyboard access and visual focus</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>User Story:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="/WAI/people-use-web/user-stories/archived/#reporter">Alex, reporter with repetitive stress injury</a></li> <li><a href="/WAI/people-use-web/user-stories/archived/#accountant">Ilya, senior staff member who is blind</a></li> <li><a href="/WAI/people-use-web/user-stories/archived/#teenager">Kaseem, teenager who is deaf and blinc</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (<a href="/WAI/standards-guidelines/wcag/">WCAG Overview</a>):</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/quickref/?tags=keyboard">Success Criteria relating to “keyboard”</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Mobile Applicability:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="/WAI/standards-guidelines/shared-experiences/#mouse">Mouse required for interaction and navigation</a></li> </ul> </li> <li><strong>Tutorial:</strong> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/tutorials/">Web Accessibility Tutorials</a> (several related topics)</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <h2 id="transcript">Text Transcript with Description of Visuals</h2> <table> <thead> <tr> <th width="65%">Audio</th> <th>Visual</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Web Accessibility Perspectives: Keyboard Compatibility</td> <td>Web Accessibility Perspectives:<br /> Keyboard Compatibility</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Not being able to use your computer because your mouse doesn't work, is frustrating.</td> <td>A man drops his computer mouse off the desk. The computer mouse no longer works.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Many people use only the keyboard to navigate websites — either through preference or circumstance.<br /></td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Whether it's temporarily limited mobility,</td> <td>A woman with her arm in a sling is typing on a keyboard — but the website requires the use of a mouse to select the date.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>a permanent physical disability,</td> <td>A man with a wheelchair is using a mouth-stick to type.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>or simply a broken mouse,<br /> the result is the same:</td> <td>The man with the wheelchair also cannot use the site.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Websites and apps need to be operable by keyboard.</td> <td>He switches to a different website that allows typing the date.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Web accessibility: Essential for some, useful for all.</td> <td> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>Visit w3.org/WAI/perspectives for more information on Keyboard Compatibility</td> <td>Visit<br /> w3.org/WAI/perspectives<br /> for more information on<br /> Keyboard Compatibility.<br /> W3C Web Accessibility Initiative logo</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <nav class="pager" aria-label="Previous/Next Page"> <ul><li class="pager--item previous"> <a href="/WAI/perspective-videos/"> <svg focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" class="icon-arrow-left pager--item-icon"><use xlink:href="/WAI/assets/images/icons.svg#icon-arrow-left"></use></svg> <span class="pager--item-text"> <span class="pager--item-text-direction">Previous:</span> <span class="pager--item-text-target">Perspective Videos Overview</span> </span> </a> </li><li class="pager--item next"> <a href="/WAI/perspective-videos/contrast/"> <svg focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" class="icon-arrow-right pager--item-icon"><use xlink:href="/WAI/assets/images/icons.svg#icon-arrow-right"></use></svg> <span class="pager--item-text"> <span class="pager--item-text-direction">Next:</span> <span class="pager--item-text-target">Colors with Good Contrast</span> </span> </a> </li> </ul></nav><aside class="box box-icon box-space-above" id="helpimprove" aria-label="feedback"><header class="box-h box-h-icon box-h-space-above box-h-icon"> <svg focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" class="icon-comments "><use xlink:href="/WAI/assets/images/icons.svg#icon-comments"></use></svg> <h2> Help improve this page </h2></header><div class="box-i"><p>Please share your ideas, suggestions, or comments via e-mail to the publicly-archived list <a href="mailto:wai@w3.org?body=%5Binclude%20a%20relevant%20email%20Subject%5D%0A%0A%5Bput%20comment%20here...%5D%0A%0AI%20give%20permission%20to%20share%20this%20to%20a%20publicly-archived%20e-mail%20list.">wai@w3.org</a> or via GitHub.</p> <div class="button-group"> <a href="mailto:wai@w3.org?body=%5Binclude%20a%20relevant%20email%20Subject%5D%0A%0A%5Bput%20comment%20here...%5D%0A%0AI%20give%20permission%20to%20share%20this%20to%20a%20publicly-archived%20e-mail%20list." class="button"><span>E-mail</span></a><a href=" https://github.com/w3c/wai-website/edit/main/collections/_perspective-videos/keyboard.md " class="button"><span>Fork & Edit on GitHub</span></a><a href="https://github.com/w3c/wai-website/issues/new?template=content-issue.yml&wai-resource-id=wai-perspective-videos&wai-url=https://www.w3.org/WAI/perspective-videos/keyboard/" class="button"><span>New GitHub Issue</span></a></div></div></aside> <a class="button button-backtotop" href="#top"><span><svg focusable="false" aria-hidden="true" class="icon-arrow-up "><use xlink:href="/WAI/assets/images/icons.svg#icon-arrow-up"></use></svg> Back to Top</span></a> </main> </div> <footer id="wai-site-footer" class="page-footer default-grid" aria-label="Page"> <div class="inner"><p><strong>Updated:</strong> 15 July 2024. <a href="/WAI/perspective-videos/changelog/">Latest changes</a>.</p><p><strong>Editor and project lead:</strong> <a href="https://www.w3.org/People/shadi">Shadi Abou-Zahra</a>. Developed by the <a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/EO/">Education and Outreach Working Group (EOWG)</a> with support from the <a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/DEV/">WAI-DEV project</a>, co-funded by the European Commission. 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