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Re: Keyboard operation with browser plug-in

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From: Dean.Vasile
Date: Apr 24, 2024 11:08AM

Colleagues,
While landmark navigation plugins can be helpful, it's risky to assume "most" keyboard users rely on them. Here's why:
* Limited adoption: These tools are specialized and less common than screen readers.
* Doesn't fix the problem: Landmark plugins don't address the core problem of poor keyboard navigation design.
Instead, let's prioritize:
* Clear structure: Semantic HTML (headers, nav, main, etc.) for easy navigation.
* Logical focus order: Ensure tabbing moves in a way users expect.
* Skip links: Allow bypassing repetitive content.
* Highly visible focus: Make the currently selected element obvious.
Thorough keyboard testing is KEY – not an assumption about plugins.
Let's build inclusively for all keyboard users!

Dean Vasile


617-799-1162

> On Apr 24, 2024, at 10:56 AM, Weissenberger, T M < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:
>
> Colleagues,
>
> A vendor recently asserted that "most" people who use a keyboard to navigate and operate a website use a visual landmark plug-in like Landmark Navigation via Keyboard or Popup<https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/landmark-navigation-via-k/oemdnnhhfhdhilalibobndhoahcaiboe>. This assertion was by way of promoting the accessibility of their product, which admittedly has a daunting number of regions and tab stops.
>
> Can anyone weigh in on the prevalence of this kind of tool? Should we assume that visual keyboard users tend to have one onboard, and should we include that assumption when considering keyboard access?
>
> I'll confess to a bit of uncertainty on this point. Thanks for any feedback.
>
> TMW