• Success Criterion 2.1.1
  • Conformance level A
  • W3C reference F42

Clickable Element Acting Like a Link With No Real Keyboard Role

2.1.1 — Keyboard

Scenario

Setting

An online marketplace's seller dashboard

What’s wrong

Something is made to act like a link or button using script only (a clickable div/span) — it isn't announced as a link/button and often can't be used by keyboard.

Example

Here's a real case from an online marketplace's seller dashboard: something is made to act like a link or button using script only (a clickable div/span) — it isn't announced as a link/button and often can't be used by keyboard.

Why it matters

Blind users, people with motor disabilities, and anyone operating the interface without a pointer. In this case (an online marketplace's seller dashboard), they lose track of where they are on the page.

How to test

Tab to a div/span styled as a link: check the Accessibility Tree in DevTools for role=link and confirm Enter activates it — missing either fails.

How to fix

Use a real <a href> or <button> (or add the correct role, tabindex (keyboard-focus setting) and key handling) so it works as a link/button for everyone.

Outcome

Once corrected, an online marketplace's seller dashboard lets them keep track of where they are on the page.

Who is affected

Blind users, people with motor disabilities, and anyone operating the interface without a pointer.

Learn more

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