Web Development
Web Developer Guidelines
Visual Design Recommendations

Checkpoint 1.5 - Java

An application component has focus at all times

WCAG 1.0 Priority 1

WCAG Guideline 8. Ensure direct accessibility of embedded user interfaces.

The focus in an application is the reference point for the user, whether as a visual reference or as a reference for an assistive technology. If focus is not obvious or is non-existant, then the user and the assistive technology does not know where they are in relation to the components on the screen nor what task options are available to them in terms of describing or manipulating information.

Requirement

Focus is set for components of the application

Recommendation

The JFC automatically executes the java.awt.Component requestFocus() method to request focus for a particular component when providing keyboard access.

This however might not occur on all occasions, such as when another application is running and the prior application window is opened by the user by either clicking on the Java application with the mouse or pressing Alt+Tab to switch to the application. This sets the aplication as "active" but does not necessarily put the focus on any of the application's objects.

Create a default focus for the application screen using the JFC FocusManager - javax.swing.FocusManager - will will become active when the window becomes active.

Checking Tool

  • A screen reader that supports Java
  • Java Access Bridge  (http://java.sun.com/javase/technologies/accessibility/accessbridge/index.jsp)
  • JavaFerret  (java.sun.com/products/accessbridge/docs/javaferret.html)
  1. Verify that there is a visible focus indicator on components when tabbing or moving the arrow key to objects on the screen (e.g., links, menus, buttons, checkboxes) and that the objects can be visually recognized.
  2. Toggle between several applications including Java and non-Java applications to verify that focus is appropriately returned to the target application.
  3. Do the same tests with a screen reader or a screen magnifier to verify that the object with focus is read by the screen reader or displayed by the magnifier.

Information Source

The original source of this information is located on the W3C web site  (www.w3.org/TR/WCAG10-TECHS/#gl-own-interface)

 

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