[Keyboard Accessibility] Skip to main content link is not visible on 'Tab'

Created on 30 June 2023, over 1 year ago
Updated 3 July 2023, over 1 year ago

Problem/Motivation

Problem found: Skip to main content link is not visible or focused highlighted when navigating to the main content area.

The key is to make sure the link is one of the first items that screen readers hear and that keyboard users navigate to using the keyboard (typically by pressing the ‘Tab’ key). The link must also be apparent to be helpful.

A very small or hidden link does not benefit the audience that most needs skip links—sighted keyboard users. To address the concerns that a visible skip link can be intrusive, but still create a skip link that is useful for sighted keyboard users, we recommend creating a link that is hidden until the user navigates to it with a keyboard.

To be usable by all keyboard users, particularly sighted keyboard users, the link must:

  • be hidden by default
  • be accessible to keyboard navigation
  • become prominently visible when it is focused
  • properly set focus to the main content area when activated

Probably the most accessible method for visually hiding a skip link is to hide it off screen with CSS, then cause it to be positioned on screen when it receives keyboard focus.

Steps to reproduce

Visit any page
Type "Tab" and observe the Skip link doesn't display properly.

Proposed resolution

- Ensure the skip link is visible
- Ensure it functions on standard and LB-based pages

🐛 Bug report
Status

Fixed

Version

3.0

Component

Code

Created by

🇺🇸United States froboy Chicago, IL

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