9 · Tab Order Correct and Logical
When you cannot use the mouse, it is very important to have a logical order in which the main navigational elements and links appear on a webpage. It is possible to specify this order but it is best to ensure that the code for the webpage results in a correct automatic tabbing order down a page in the same way that a page would linearise without any structural elements such as style sheets, frames or tables. Additional elements such as 'skip navigation links' can make it easier for screen reader users to reach main content.
Outcomes and Scores
This test has 4 possible outcomes.
| Outcome | Score |
|---|---|
| Logical tab and focus order throughout the page. | 100% |
| Tab order generally good. Focus moves in a logical order. | 67% |
| Intermittent random focus order with selection jumping from one area to another. | 33% |
| Poor tab order as the focus does not logically move down the page. | 0% |
Disabilities
The results of this test are taken into account when calculating accessibility scores for the following disabilities.
Techniques
The following techniques may come in handy when running this test.