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Re: Keyboard operation with browser plug-in

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From: Jeremy Echols
Date: Apr 24, 2024 12:27PM

I don't think anybody could say what "most" keyboard users are doing, but I definitely use tools to browse and jump to headings and regions. They're invaluable at times. I've known a few people who do the same, but the people I know do it out of convenience rather than absolute necessity. I *can* use a mouse, for instance, but it's inconvenient and can get painful.

However, it doesn't actually matter. What "most" people do isn't easy to define, changes regularly, and isn't what accessibility is built for. You should support users of these tools if you can (especially tools that browse headings since screen reader users often do this, too), but accessibility requires considering all users' needs, not just what you think "most" users do. Especially if it's a vendor who is not backing up their claim about what most people do with strong figures and external reports.

-----Original Message-----
From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of Lucy Greco via WebAIM-Forum
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2024 08:50
To: WebAIM Discussion List < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Cc: Lucy Greco < <EMAIL REMOVED> >
Subject: Re: [WebAIM] Keyboard operation with browser plug-in

in my experience even people in the accessibility field that are keyboard only users do not use these addons for any thing other then testing. if your a keyboard only user that does not use a screenreader the tab key arrow keys and space and enter most non industry keyboard only users even know these things exist and the addons and extensions don't add any thing but vishual help not keyboard help


Berkeley IT <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://technology.berkeley.edu/home__;!!C5qS4YX3!GUrccEOAv53aRVVi6T8s57SGKUSTX7b8P0a-XqJYW7W2DyG3xnvAlL8yL06qEBNcHg11oRJ4sECdg8VzOKGecaybKhgu0A$ >

Lucy Greco, Web Accessibility Evangelist

Campus IT Experience
Phone: (510) 289-6008 | Email: <EMAIL REMOVED> |

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On Wed, Apr 24, 2024 at 8:44 AM Andrews, David B (DEED) via WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > wrote:

> I only know what I know, but I would say they are blowing smoke. I am
> a screen reader user, and while I use landmarks, and regions some,
> they are not my primary method of navigation. I use headings, tab, and
> arrow keys mostly.
>
> I haven't used any such plug-in. People with other kinds of
> disabilities may, I couldn't say -- but doubt it!
>
> Dave
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: WebAIM-Forum < <EMAIL REMOVED> > On Behalf Of
> Weissenberger, T M
> Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2024 9:56 AM
> To: <EMAIL REMOVED>
> Subject: [WebAIM] Keyboard operation with browser plug-in
>
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> This message may be from an external email source.
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>
> >
> 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://urldefense.com/v3/__https://microsoftedge.microsoft.com/addons/detail/landmark-navigation-via-k/oemdnnhhfhdhilalibobndhoahcaiboe__;!!C5qS4YX3!GUrccEOAv53aRVVi6T8s57SGKUSTX7b8P0a-XqJYW7W2DyG3xnvAlL8yL06qEBNcHg11oRJ4sECdg8VzOKGecawKWxhRUg$ >.
> 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
>
>
> T. Matthew Weissenberger
>
> Digital/IT Accessibility Coordinator
>
> Accessibility@IOWA
>
> Information Security and Policy Office
>
> University of Iowa
>
> 319-384-3323
>
> I occasionally work irregular times. Please do not feel obligated to
> respond outside your regular working hours.
>
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