keyboard-review

Keyboard Review

A focused review of keyboard accessibility — the single most important interaction requirement. If keyboard doesn't work, screen readers don't work, switch devices don't work, and many motor-impaired users are completely blocked.

Process

Step 1: Tab Through Everything

Starting from the browser address bar, press Tab repeatedly through the entire page. Document:

• Unreachable elements — interactive items that Tab skips
• Wrong order — focus jumps to unexpected locations
• Invisible focus — focus moves but you can't see where it is
• Keyboard traps — focus enters a region and can't leave

Step 2: Test All Components

Using keyboard-navigation, test each component type present:

• Menus: Tab to open, Arrow keys to navigate, Escape to close
• Modals: focus trapped inside, Escape to close, focus returns on close
• Tabs: Arrow keys between tabs, Tab into panel content
• Forms: Tab between fields, Enter to submit
• Custom widgets: appropriate keyboard patterns for the role

Step 3: Test Dynamic Content

When content changes on screen:

• Does focus move to the new content when appropriate?
• Are screen reader users informed of the change?
• When content is removed, does focus move to a logical place?
• Do loading states announce themselves?

Using feedback-and-status, verify all dynamic changes are announced via aria-live regions or focus management.

Step 4: Check Skip Links and Landmarks

• Is "Skip to main content" present and functional?
• Are ARIA landmarks present (banner, navigation, main, contentinfo)?
• Can a keyboard user bypass repeated navigation efficiently?

Output

Deliver a keyboard accessibility report:

1. Pass/fail summary — can every task be completed by keyboard?
2. Tab order map — the actual focus sequence with issues marked
3. Component results — pass/fail for each interactive component
4. Dynamic content results — focus management for content changes
5. Fix list — prioritised by severity (blocker, major, minor)