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Re: in a modal dialog can the tab focus go to the browser UI?

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From: Sailesh Panchang
Date: Feb 1, 2017 7:11AM

Hello Ramakrishnan,
By terming it as modal, the expectation is that one can navigate and
operate only within the dialog.
However, if the content of the parent page appears graded and is not
navigable with a mouse but is available via a keyboard / or to AT
users then it may trigger an SC 1.3.1 error (presentation is not
exposed via markup) and maybe SC 2.4.3 too.
If the background content is available (navigable and operable) to
all users, then it is important that the boundaries of the dialog are
clearly marked and exposed to AT too. Of course focus management is
important here too: focus should be placed in the dialog when launched
and back on the trigger element / at a logical spot on the page when
dismissed.
In your example it appears the last focusable element in the dialog is
treated like the last element on any page: the next tab moves focus
to the browser UI.
Thanks and best wishes,
Sailesh Panchang
Principal Accessibility Consultant
Deque Systems Inc
Phone 703-225-0380 ext 105
Mobile: 571-344-1765