2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts
Official description of the success criterion
If a keyboard shortcut is implemented in content using only letter (including upper- and lower-case letters), punctuation, number, or symbol characters, then at least one of the following is true:
- Turn off: A mechanism is available to turn the shortcut off;
- Remap: A mechanism is available to remap the shortcut to include one or more non-printable keyboard keys (e.g., Ctrl, Alt);
- Active only on focus: The keyboard shortcut for a user interface component is only active when that component has focus.
What to do?
Ensure that single-character key shortcuts can be turned off or remapped to use non-printable key combinations (such as Ctrl or Alt + key). Additionally, provide a way to disable these shortcuts.
Why is it important?
Single-character key shortcuts can be problematic for users with motor disabilities, as they might inadvertently activate these shortcuts. Allowing these shortcuts to be turned off or changed prevents accidental activation and improves usability for users with different interaction needs.
Common pitfalls
The problem with this criterion might be that the tester makes the untested assumption that there are no one-character shortcuts on a website.
How to test for it?
Press all the letter, number, punctuation and symbol keys on the keyboard and check that nothing happens.
These keys are exempt:
- Ctrl
- Alt
- Esc
- Arrow keys
- Function keys F1-F12
- Space
- Return
- Enter
- Delete
- Tab