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Re: arrow key navigation in accessible menu

for

From: Al Sparber
Date: Dec 7, 2010 7:00AM

On 12/7/2010 7:27 AM, adam solomon wrote:
> Is arrow-key navigation necessary for an accessible menu?
> To the best of my knowledge, arrow key navigation won't work with Jaws 9
> because those keys are reserved for Jaws (correct me on this if I'm wrong).
> If so, and if the answer to the first question is yes, what is the solution?
>

I assume you are referring to a hierarchical or drop-down/fly out menu.

There are many schools of thought on this. Based on our tests, once a
user gets to a web page menu, traditional application UI conventions are
not considered. That is, the majority of keyboard users in our tests do
not even realize that arrow keys are working. The only people, in our
opinion, who favor arrow keys are able-bodied web designers and
accessibility consultants :-)

The simplest, most direct way to handle this is to hide the sub-menus
from reader and keyboard users, activate the root links, and carry all
links in the context of the page.

There are many other approaches that can be accessible as well - and now
one also has to consider touch devices.

You'll get a baker's dozen different opinions on this list. Some will be
good, others not. Your job is to assess them all and see which one makes
most sense to you and then liver with it - or not :-)


--
Al Sparber - PVII
http://www.projectseven.com
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