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Re: Keyboard trap for non-modal dialogs and popups:

for

From: Tim Harshbarger
Date: Sep 22, 2016 11:53AM

And there is yet another way to look at this situation.

Typically, all users (whether with or without disabilities) will want or need to perform the same type of tasks or achieve the same goals with a specific user interface. Where users with or without disabilities will tend to differ is in how they perceive, comprehend, or operate those user interfaces.

So, if you have a user interface component (like a non-modal dialog) that allows someone using the mouse to interact with other parts of the user interface, you can assume that people using the keyboard or a screen reader will have the same need or want to access those other user interface components as well.

However, if you prevent someone using a mouse from accessing other components on the user interface (like with a modal dialog), people using the keyboard or a screen reader will likely gain the same benefit from having that same limitation.

There can be exceptions to this rule, but the exceptions tend to be quite obvious when you find them--or you are looking at an issue that directly touches on how people perceive, comprehend, or operate user interfaces.