Keyboard Access Key

Users can navigate sites with a Keyboard Access Key without use of a mouse. Users surfing this way may be blind or have physical disabilities. Users will find keyboard-friendly sites accessible not only when surfing the internet on a computer without a mouse but also when accessing the internet via a PDA or mobile phone.

Designing for Keyboard-only Users

People with physical disabilities who do not have complete use of their arms or hands or who may suffer from tremors or spasms will often need to access websites without a mouse. Some people work their computer entirely through use of one button. They use this one button or switch to tab between links and through content and menus. Tabbing through long lists of links takes a great deal of effort. Keep navigational links to a minimum and provide ways to skip straight into the main content or straight to the main navigation. Do not employ any navigation or JavaScripts that require use of a mouse or activate immediately upon receiving focus.

Keyboard Checkpoints