Keyboard Navigation: Using a Site Without a Mouse
Many people cannot or do not use a mouse. They rely on the keyboard — or devices that mimic one — to move through a site using the Tab key, arrow keys and Enter. If your site only works with a mouse, those people are locked out entirely.
Keyboard support is a foundational requirement of WCAG, and it underpins a great deal of other assistive technology.
What Keyboard Users Need
Every interactive element — links, buttons, form fields, menus — must be reachable and usable with the keyboard alone, in a logical order.
- Reach every control by pressing Tab.
- See clearly which element is focused at any moment.
- Activate controls with Enter or Space.
- Move out of any component without getting trapped.
Avoiding the Keyboard Trap
A keyboard trap happens when focus enters a component — often a pop-up or embedded widget — and cannot get out. We test for these carefully, because they bring navigation to a complete halt.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you test keyboard access?
We put the mouse aside and navigate the whole site with the keyboard, confirming every feature can be reached and used.
If you need a hand with any of this, your Progressive Robot delivery team is ready to help. Raise a ticket from the Support area of your client portal or speak to your account manager and we will guide you through the next steps.