spec checked
WAI WCAG Understanding: Focus Order
Explains that sequential navigation must move focus in an order that preserves meaning and operability when navigation sequence affects meaning or operation.
Pattern Decisions This Source Supports
| Pattern | Supported decision | Required contract | Claim note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carousel auto-advance without pause | Flag the anti-pattern whenever visible carousel content changes automatically and a pause or stop control is missing, delayed, hidden, or unreachable before the moving content. | Pause or Stop rotation immediately freezes the visible slide, updates the motion state, and remains available for resume or restart. | WCAG focus order supports keeping keyboard traversal meaningful when carousel controls and slide content update. |
| Drawer with no close or return path | Flag this anti-pattern when a temporary drawer has no visible close control, no Escape path, no back-route dismissal, no equivalent for gesture-only close, or no predictable focus return. | Opening the drawer records the opener or selected object as the return target. | Supports predictable focus movement and return after drawer dismissal. |
| Focus traversal | Choose focus traversal when the design problem is the user's sequential path through focusable elements and dynamic state changes. | The sequential focus path follows DOM and reading order unless a well-tested component-specific model declares a different internal focus contract. | Supports logical sequential focus order preserving meaning and operability. |
| Infinite scroll with no footer access | Flag this anti-pattern when automatic loading prevents reliable access to footer links, page end, support routes, legal links, feedback, or other bottom-of-page utilities. | Users can reach footer utilities without racing automatic loading. | Supports preserving meaningful focus order when dynamic content or layout changes could trap keyboard users. |
Evidence Role
This source is treated as spec evidence. Use it to validate the decision rules above, not as a visual style reference.
Publisher: W3C WAI. Last checked: .