Accessibility Testing Procedure

Focus Visible

Guideline

Any keyboard operable user interface has a mode of operation where the keyboard focus indicator is visible.

Intent

The intent of this regulation is to help a person know which element has the keyboard focus and help a person know which element among multiple elements has the keyboard focus. If there is only one keyboard actionable control on the screen, the success criterion would be met because the visual design presents only one keyboard actionable item.

Note that a keyboard focus indicator can take different forms. One common way is a caret within the text field to indicate that the text field has the keyboard focus. Another is a visual change to a button to indicate that that button has the keyboard focus.

USDA/NFC Specific

To further meet the needs of the accessibility community, USDA/NFC's standard exceeds that of the above baseline requirement by requiring that the default focus indicator provided by modern browsers be at least two (2) pixels in width. Many browsers include default borders around interactive elements that may fail to meet this requirement but can be modified to meet the requirement through the use of Cascading Style Sheets (CSS).

Finding Applicable Components

Find all visible and hidden interactive interface components (links, form fields, drop down menus, show/hide content, tree views, pop ups/light boxes, etc.) using a mouse (hover and/or click).

Inspecting and Using Components

Using the keyboard, navigate to each interactive component and look for a visible indication of focus (usually an outline around the component).

Loss of focus should not occur while manually shifting focus through the page. If hidden content receives focus it should become visible while focused.

Section 508/WCAG 2.0 Failure Conditions

• An interface component does not give a visible indication when it receives focus.
  • Fails 1194.21(c): Visual Focus.
  • Fails 2.4.7 Focus Visible
• A visual indication of focus occurs somewhere other than on the component that has focus
  • Fails 1194.21(c): Visual Focus.
  • Fails 2.4.7 Focus Visible

Reporting Test Results

Any failure in Section 508 Failure Conditions results in: Fails Baseline Requirement #2.

All interface components give a visible indication when they receive focus results in: Passes Baseline Requirement #2.

For sharing test results between Agencies, the results of Section 508 Conditions and Reporting Test Results must be reported.