The WCAG Primer is intended for use by the UK cross government accessibility community. Complete our survey here.

3.2.1 On Focus (A)

Understanding 3.2.1 On Focus (A)

When a keyboard user focuses on a control it must not cause a change of context, such as loading a new page/tab. This stops unexpected things happening without screen reader and screen magnifer users being aware of it.

Requirements / What to do?

• focus events do not cause navigation, nor form submission
• components that respond to focus do not initiate a “focus trap”, where it is impossible or unclear how to navigate out of the component using the keyboard.

Common mistakes

• Dropdown menus trigger navigation as the user tabs between options
• Javascript triggers navigation when a user is merely leaving a form control
• focus is moved by script in ways that surprise the user

Useful resources

• TBC