2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts (A)
Understanding 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts (A)
If your webpage has keyboard shortcuts then one of the following must be true: * Turn off: The user must be able to turn them off; * Remap: The user must be able to remap the shortcut to use one or more non-printable keyboard characters (e.g. Ctrl, Alt, etc); * Active only on focus:The keyboard shortcut is only active when it has focus.
NOTE: This success criteria does not apply if you have not implemented keyboard shortcuts.
Why is this a problem?
This can be a real problem for users of speech recognition software (like Dragon). Without the ability to turn off single-key shortcuts, they can be triggered accidentally and fire with the user wanting it to happen.
Also Keyboard-only users who who may accidentally hit keys, or have involuntary movement will benefit from turning off single character shortcuts or modifying them.
Requirements / What to do?
Make sure your users have a way to turn off single-key shortcuts. This could be in a preference section of your site.
Or provide a way to allow users to change character-key shortcuts.
The alternative shortcuts could be longer strings that would act as native speech commands for any speech engine.
Common mistakes
- Not allowing the user to switch off or remap keyboard shortcuts.
Resources
You can see the issue in these character key shortcut video, with thanks to Kim Patch.
- You Tube Video 1 - See how Speech affects single key shortcuts
- You Tube Video 2 - See how Speech affects single key shortcuts
The remapping method can include non-printing characters.