*This article is an English translation of a Japanese article.
In web accessibility, “focus visibility” is essential, particularly for users who navigate websites via keyboard. A clearly visible focus allows users to understand which part of the site they are currently interacting with. This article covers the importance of focus visibility, practical implementation techniques, and ways to enhance focus design for a more inclusive web experience.
Why Focus Visibility is Important
Focus visibility highlights the currently active element on a webpage for keyboard users. This feature is critical for users with disabilities, elderly individuals, and anyone who benefits from visual aids to assist in navigation.
Focus visibility is especially meaningful for the following users:
- Users with Visual Impairments: Those using screen readers or screen magnifiers can easily identify their current position when focus visibility is clear.
- Users with Motor Limitations: Keyboard navigation becomes more efficient when users can clearly see where the focus is on the page.
- Temporarily Disabled Users: Users with injuries or temporary conditions may rely on keyboard navigation, making focus visibility a crucial element for ease of use.
- Older Adults: For those with cognitive or visual decline, being able to track focus movements enhances website usability.
Implementing Focus Visibility
Focus visibility can be easily achieved using HTML and CSS, particularly by employing the outline property and the focus pseudo-class in CSS.
Here’s a basic example in CSS:
button:focus,
a:focus {
outline: 2px solid #000; /* Black outline for focus */
outline-offset: 2px; /* Adds spacing between the outline and element */
}
This example visually indicates focused buttons or links with a black outline, helping users easily identify the active element.
Important Considerations for Focus Visibility
Color Contrast: Ensure the outline or background color of focused elements has adequate contrast with surrounding elements. WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) recommends a contrast ratio of at least 3:1. Custom Styles: If you disable the default browser focus style, replace it with a custom focus style to avoid removing focus visibility entirely. This ensures focus remains clear and accessible.
Common Issues with Focus Visibility
One frequent issue developers face is balancing custom design with accessibility. Sometimes, designers or clients request the removal of focus outlines for aesthetic reasons, which can significantly hinder accessibility for keyboard users. If focus outlines are removed, alternative visual feedback must be provided, such as a background color change or animation for emphasis.
Example of using background color instead of an outline:
button:focus {
outline: none;
background-color: #f0f8ff; /* Change background on focus */
}
Tools for Testing Focus Visibility
Several tools are available to test the effectiveness of focus visibility, helping developers ensure focus transitions smoothly and effectively across the site.
- Axe: A browser extension for automated accessibility testing that detects focus-related issues.
- WAVE: Another tool for accessibility testing, WAVE can quickly identify focus visibility issues.
- Keyboard Accessibility Checker: Specializes in testing keyboard functionality, making it ideal for evaluating focus movement.
Tips to Improve Focus Visibility
Here are some helpful tips to enhance focus visibility on your website:
1.Balance Design and Accessibility: Use visually prominent focus styles that blend with the overall design. For example, bold outlines or distinctive colors make it easier for users to track focus visually. 2.Keyboard Navigation Testing: Always test website navigation with a keyboard to ensure focus moves smoothly across elements without issues. 3.Maintain Consistency: Apply a consistent focus style across the site so that users can easily recognize which element is in focus.
Conclusion
Focus visibility is a critical aspect of web accessibility. For many users who rely on keyboard navigation, being able to see where the focus is located can make a big difference in usability. Enhancing accessibility is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about providing a site that all users can navigate comfortably.
Implementing focus visibility is a foundational step toward creating a user-friendly experience that benefits everyone.
We have released the UUU Web Accessibility Widget Tool, designed to make web accessibility easy to implement. This tool helps improve the accessibility of websites quickly and efficiently, even without specialized knowledge.
If you’re interested in enhancing your website’s accessibility, please check out the details. We are here to support you in making your website more user-friendly and accessible to a wider audience.