Success Criterion 2.1.2
Conformance level A

Non-Standard Focus Exit Key That’s Never Explained to Users

2.1.2 — No Keyboard Trap

Scenario

Setting

A professional networking site's profile editor

What’s wrong

Non-standard exit exists (e.g., Ctrl+M) but user is never advised of it — normative fail of the advisory clause.

Example

Watch a professional networking site's profile editor closely and you'll spot this: non-standard exit exists (e.g., Ctrl+M) but user is never advised of it — normative fail of the advisory clause.

Why it matters

All keyboard and screen-reader users who can become stuck inside a component. In this case (a professional networking site's profile editor), they get stuck and can't reach the control.

How to test

Look for any documentation or on-screen text advising a non-standard exit key (e.g., Ctrl+M): if such a key exists but the user is never told about it, it fails the advisory requirement.

How to fix

Focus must always be able to leave the component using Tab/Shift+Tab or Esc (or a standard method the user is told about).

Outcome

Once corrected, a professional networking site's profile editor lets them keep track of where they are on the page.

Who is affected

All keyboard and screen-reader users who can become stuck inside a component.

Learn more

Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)