Re: Call for Consensus (CfC): Comment on WHATWG issue around trapping focus in modals

+1

On Wed, Aug 9, 2023 at 5:10 PM Matthew Atkinson <matkinson@tpgi.com> wrote:

> Colleagues:
>
> This is a Call for Consensus (CfC) to the Accessible Platform
> Architectures (APA) Working Group testing for agreement on a formal comment
> on an HTML repo issue (<https://github.com/whatwg/html/issues/8339>).
> APA's input was requested as part of our role in performing horizontal
> review of accessibility concerns.
>
> APA's background discussion on this issue is tracked in our tracking
> issue: https://github.com/w3c/a11y-review/issues/138
>
> Thanks to Niklas for writing this comment on our behalf.
>
> <APA Comment>
>
> We addressed this question in the course of several APA meetings and came
> to the conclusion that the current behavior of the native dialog element
> should be kept as it is. So, that you can tab from the dialog to the
> browser functionalities.
>
> We see especially the benefit that keyboard users can, for example, open a
> new tab to look something important up or to change a browser setting this
> way. At the same time, the dialog element thus provides an additional
> natural escape mechanism (i.e. moving to the address bar) in, for example,
> kiosk situations where the user cannot use other standard keyboard
> shortcuts.
>
> In addition, we also see how this can confuse some developers, as prior to
> the native dialog it was common when implementing a custom dialog component
> to really trap the focus. For this reason, we will also get in contact with
> the APG group to talk about a change in the guide for the dialog (modal)
> pattern. We think an additional note is useful, pointing out that when
> using the native dialog element, tabbing to browser functionality is normal
> and wanted, and does not need to be "fixed" by one's own hand. Since for
> many developers APG's guides are the go-to resource for implementing
> accessible components, hopefully this will prevent more confusion in the
> future.
>
> </APA Comment>
>
> As always with APA CfCs, editorial corrections, such as spelling or
> grammar, will be made as needed without further notice. Please do draw our
> attention to any editorial issues you find in this draft.
>
> *** Action to Take ***
>
> This CfC is now open for objection, comment, as well as statements of
> support via email. Silence will be interpreted as support, though messages
> of support are certainly welcome.
>
> If you object to this proposed action, or have comments concerning this
> proposal, please respond by replying on list to this message no later than
> 23:59 (Midnight) Boston Time, Friday 11 August.
>
> NOTE: This Call for Consensus is being conducted in accordance with the
> APA Decision Policy published at:
> http://www.w3.org/WAI/APA/decision-policy
>
> --
> Matthew Tylee Atkinson (he/him)
> --
> Principal Accessibility Engineer
> TPG Interactive
> https://www.tpgi.com
> A Vispero Company
> https://www.vispero.com
> --
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