Put the Mouse Away
Can you complete the task without a mouse?
Start with a real task on a website you already use. Put the mouse or trackpad away and test what happens when keyboard input is your only method.
Put the Mouse Away
Open a real website you already use. Choose a meaningful task, such as finding information, searching, filtering, completing part of a form, or changing a setting.
Physically stop using the mouse or trackpad. Attempt the task using only the keyboard.
Use the keys you need: Tab, Shift + Tab, Enter, Space, the arrow keys, and Escape. Do not overthink the method before you begin. Notice what happens.
As you work, ask:
- Can you reach everything you need?
- Can you tell where focus is?
- Does focus move in an order that makes sense?
- Can you activate the controls?
- Can you get back out?
What Are We Testing?
Keyboard access: functionality available with a mouse should also be operable through a keyboard interface where applicable.
Focus visible: a sighted keyboard user needs to be able to see which element currently has focus.
Focus order: focus should move in an order that preserves meaning and operability.
No keyboard trap: if focus enters an interaction, the user must also be able to leave it using the keyboard.
Reachable Is Not the Same as Usable
Being able to Tab to a control is only the beginning. You still need to know where you are, understand what happens next, activate the control, and continue the task.
What did you reach but still could not use?
Launch Challenge 04
Use a real website for a short preliminary test, then open the Interaction Lab and begin the controlled Challenge 04 investigation with your assigned team experience.
Use It Another Way
Open Challenge 04 →