Success criterion 2.1.4
Character Key Shortcuts
If a keyboard shortcut is implemented using only letter, punctuation, number, or symbol characters, then at least one of the following is true: Turn off, Remap, Active only on focus.
- Level A
- Principle 2: Operable
- Guideline 2.1: Keyboard Accessible
In a user’s words
“I accidentally launched the rockets when I was just trying to check my email! Maybe ease up on those shortcuts, eh?”
What each role can do
- Product manager
- Review and minimize the use of keyboard shortcuts that could interfere with system controls or accessibility features.
- Designer
- Provide customization options for keyboard shortcuts and clearly document them.
- Developer
- Implement keyboard shortcuts that can either be turned off, remapped, or are active only when focused on the component.
- Tester
- Test the shortcuts to ensure they do not conflict with existing accessibility features or system controls.
Once it is fixed
“Thanks for keeping my keyboard shortcuts sane. No accidental liftoffs for me!”
Share this with your team
The quotes are written to illustrate the criterion. They are not testimonials from real people. For the official wording, find 2.1.4 in the W3C quick reference for WCAG 2.2 (opens in a new tab).
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