Techniques for WCAG 2.0

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F55: Failure of Success Criteria 2.1.1, 2.4.7, and 3.2.1 due to using script to remove focus when focus is received

Applicability

Applies to all content that supports script.

User Agent and Assistive Technology Support Notes

This failure relates to:

Description

Content that normally receives focus when the content is accessed by keyboard may have this focus removed by scripting. This is sometimes done when designer considers the system focus indicator to be unsightly. However, the system focus indicator is an important part of accessibility for keyboard users. In addition, this practice removes focus from the content entirely, which means that the content can only be operated by a pointing device such as a mouse.

Examples

Failure Example 1

Example Code:

<input type="submit" onFocus="this.blur();"> 

Failure Example 2

Example Code:

<a onFocus="this.blur()" href="Page.html"><img src="myImage.gif"></a> 

Failure Example 3

Example Code:

<a href="link.html" onfocus="if(this.blur)this.blur();">Link Phrase</a> 

Resources

No resources available for this technique.

(none currently listed)

Tests

Procedure

  1. Use the keyboard to verify that you can get to all interactive elements using the keyboard.

  2. Check that when focus is placed on each element, focus remains there until user moves it.

Expected Results

Techniques are Informative

Techniques are informative—that means they are not required. The basis for determining conformance to WCAG 2.0 is the success criteria from the WCAG 2.0 standard—not the techniques. For important information about techniques, please see the Understanding Techniques for WCAG Success Criteria section of Understanding WCAG 2.0.