Glossary

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Access Keys(also: Accesskeys, Keyboard Shortcuts)

Access keys are keyboard shortcuts defined in HTML using the accesskey attribute that allow users to activate or focus on specific elements — such as links or form controls — by pressing a key combination. Introduced as an accessibility feature to help keyboard-only users…

Bounce Keys

An operating system accessibility feature that introduces a brief delay after a key press during which the same key cannot be reactivated. This prevents bounce errors — unintentional repeated presses of the same key caused by tremor, spasm, or difficulty in cleanly releasing…

Caret Browsing(also: Caret Navigation, Caret Browse Mode)

A browser navigation mode that places a movable text cursor (caret) directly in web page content, allowing users to navigate and select text using standard keyboard commands as if the page were a document in a text editor. Typically activated by pressing F7 in Firefox and…

Debounce(also: Debounce Filter, Key Debounce, Bounce Key Filter)

A keyboard accessibility feature that filters out unintended extra keypresses caused by tremor or imprecise motor control. When enabled, the system ignores rapid successive activations of the same key within a specified time window, treating them as a single press. Debounce is…

Device-Dependent Event Handler(also: Device-Dependent Event, Mouse-Dependent Event Handler)

An event handler in web development that is triggered only by a specific input device, such as a mouse click or touch gesture, rather than being accessible through multiple input methods. Device-dependent event handlers create significant accessibility barriers because users who…

FilterKeys(also: Filter Keys, Key Repeat Filter)

An operating system accessibility feature that adjusts keyboard response to ignore brief or repeated keystrokes, helping users with motor disabilities who may accidentally press keys multiple times or hold keys down too long. FilterKeys encompasses several related functions:…

Focus Indicator(also: Focus Ring, Visible Focus, Focus Outline)

A visual cue that shows which interactive element on a page or in an application currently has keyboard focus. Focus indicators are typically rendered as an outline, border, or highlight around the focused element. They are essential for keyboard users and screen magnification…

Focusable Element(also: Keyboard Focusable, Focus Target)

A GUI element that can receive input focus, allowing users to interact with it via keyboard, switch device, or assistive technology. For screen reader users navigating mobile apps, an element without focus enabled is essentially invisible—they cannot select, activate, or even…

Key Acceptance Delay(also: Acceptance Delay, Key Debounce)

A keyboard accessibility setting that requires a key to be held down for a specified minimum duration before it is registered as a deliberate press. Keys released before the delay period expires are ignored, filtering out brief accidental touches. Key acceptance delay is the…

Key Remapping(also: Key Rebinding, Control Remapping, Custom Key Bindings)

The ability to reassign keyboard controls to different keys than the software defaults. Key remapping is essential for users with motor disabilities who may only be able to reach certain areas of the keyboard, use one hand, or have limited range of motion. For example, a…

Keyboard Accessibility(also: Keyboard Navigation, Keyboard Operability)

The principle and practice of ensuring that all functionality of a website, application, or digital interface can be accessed and operated using only a keyboard, without requiring a mouse, touchscreen, or other pointing device. Keyboard accessibility is foundational to web…

Keyboard Configuration(also: Keyboard Customisation, Keyboard Settings)

The process of adjusting keyboard behaviour and settings to match an individual user's needs and abilities. For people with motor disabilities, keyboard configuration may include enabling accessibility features such as Sticky Keys, Repeat Keys, Bounce Keys, or Slow Keys, as well…

Keyboard Navigation(also: Keyboard Access, Keyboard Operability)

The ability to use all features and functions of a website, application, or software using only the keyboard, without requiring a mouse or other pointing device. Keyboard navigation is essential for people who are blind and use screen readers, people with motor disabilities who…

Keyboard Shortcut(also: Hotkey, Keyboard Accelerator, Access Key)

A key or combination of keys that triggers a specific command or function in software without requiring navigation through menus or interface elements. Keyboard shortcuts are essential for accessibility, enabling users who cannot use a mouse—including screen reader users, people…

Modifier Key(also: Modifier Keys)

A key on a keyboard that modifies the action of another key when both are pressed simultaneously, such as Shift, Control (Ctrl), Alt, Option, or Command. Modifier keys present a significant accessibility barrier for users who can type with only one hand or who have difficulty…

Navigation Order(also: Focus Order, Tab Order, Reading Order)

The sequence in which a user encounters interface elements when navigating with assistive technology, a keyboard, or other non-visual means. A logical navigation order follows the visual layout and semantic structure of the page, typically moving left-to-right and top-to-bottom…

On Input(also: WCAG 3.2.2)

WCAG 2.1 success criterion 3.2.2 (Level A) requires that changing the setting of any user interface component does not automatically cause a change of context (e.g., submitting a form, navigating to a new page, or moving focus to another component) unless the user has been…

Overlap Error(also: Key Overlap Error, Simultaneous Key Press Error)

A typing error that occurs when two keys are pressed down at the same time, typically when a finger accidentally activates an adjacent key while moving toward the intended key, or when a user's hand rests on a key unintentionally. Overlap errors are particularly common among…

Repeat Keys(also: Key Repeat Delay)

An operating system accessibility feature that controls how long a key must be held down before it begins to repeat, and how quickly it repeats once started. For users with motor disabilities who unintentionally hold keys down longer than intended, Repeat Keys allows the delay…

Skip Link(also: Skip Navigation Link, Skip Nav, Bypass Block)

A hidden or visible hyperlink placed at the beginning of a web page that allows keyboard and screen reader users to jump directly to the main content, bypassing repeated navigation elements. Skip links address WCAG Success Criterion 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks) by providing a mechanism…

Skip Navigation(also: Skip Link, Skip Nav, Bypass Block)

A mechanism, typically an in-page anchor link placed at the very beginning of a web page, that allows keyboard and screen reader users to bypass repetitive content such as navigation menus and jump directly to the main content area. Skip navigation links are a WCAG 2.1 Level A…

SlowKeys(also: Slow Keys)

An accessibility feature that requires a key to be held down for a specified minimum duration before the keypress is accepted by the system. SlowKeys helps users with motor disabilities who frequently make accidental keystrokes by brushing against keys or pressing keys…

StickyKeys(also: Sticky Keys)

An operating system accessibility feature that allows users to press modifier keys (Shift, Ctrl, Alt/Option, Command) and have them remain active until the next key is pressed, rather than requiring simultaneous key presses. This eliminates the need to hold down one key while…

Tab Order(also: Focus Order, Navigation Order, Tabbing Order)

The sequence in which interactive elements receive keyboard focus when a user presses the Tab key to navigate through a web page or application. A logical tab order follows the visual layout and task workflow, allowing keyboard-only users to interact with content efficiently.…

Video Conferencing Accessibility(also: Virtual Meeting Accessibility, Remote Meeting Accessibility)

The degree to which video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet can be used effectively by people with disabilities, including those who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, captions, or other assistive technologies. Key accessibility…

tabindex

An HTML attribute that controls whether an element can receive keyboard focus and its position in the tab order. A tabindex of 0 places an element in the natural tab order, a positive value sets a specific order position, and a negative value (typically -1) allows programmatic…

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