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RE: skip-nav tabindex setfocus etc.

for

From: Alastair Campbell
Date: Mar 15, 2006 7:10AM

Tim Harshbarger wrote:
> Tab, tab, tab, tab, tab, tab, tab, tab, tab, tab, tab..."gee,
> something
> funny happened after the first tab." Then they may either tab merrily
> on their way to their original goal or start tabbing back to the skip
> link to check it out.

I'm curious as to what would happen if they realise that they are going
through the content section first, then the right side, then the left
hand navigation (as they would on our site). That might be unexpected
to!

> I am also not certain if skip links are as useful to someone using a
> screen reader or screen magnifier as they are to other people
> using the keyboard or devices simulating keyboard input.

Difficult to compare, but skip links are useful to people using screen
readers, it's very much linear access.

> In the case of people using screen magnification, those
> people I am familiar with seem to use the mouse more. They might use
> the tab key once they are in a form or maybe even navigating the
> browser's menubar.

That matches my observations, I've done a fair bit of usability testing
with people on screen readers and magnifiers (both for clients and
research). The first being entirely keyboard dependant, the second being
very mouse oriented. (I've also noticed that screen reader users seem
more aware of skip links in general, screen magnifier users being
generally unaware of what "skip to menu" might mean).

Going back to the skip links, it's a difficult one to persuade a client
about design-wise, although to be fair I haven't tried very hard,
relying on the pop-out on tab approach.
In the fast-tab scenario above, I guess it comes down to either:
- The skip link has to be first and visible, or
- The pop-out has to be very obvious.

I am very curious as to what effect code-source order has on people who
use the keyboard for navigation and can see the page.

Kind regards,

-Alastair

--
Alastair Campbell | Director of User Experience

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