RE: Accesskey and tabindex not helpful to blind users?

Patrick H. Lauke wrote:
> B.K. DeLong wrote:
>> I see
>> accesskey and tabindex being very useful for those who cannot
>> manipulate a pointing device as well as those who are blind however
>> in light of Rich's comments, I'm not quite sure where to go from
>> here and I'd like to solicit the list's comments.
> 
> 
> As for accesskeys, I tend to side with John/Derek's view, although
> granted in some instances it can make sense to have them (depending on
> audience, purpose, etc). If anything, I'd go with a minimal
> set of keys.

And here comes John's/Derek's response...

Accesskeys? Don't!  For all the reasons why not, please see:

	Using Accesskeys - Is it worth it?: 
	http://www.wats.ca/articles/accesskeys/19

	More reasons why we don't use accesskeys: 
	http://www.wats.ca/articles/accesskeyconflicts/37

	Accesskeys and Reserved Keystroke Combinations: 
	http://www.wats.ca/resources/accesskeysandkeystrokes/38  

	Link Relationships as an Alternative to Accesskeys: 
	http://www.wats.ca/articles/accesskeyalternatives/52

	The Future of Accesskeys: 
	http://www.wats.ca/articles/thefutureofaccesskeys/66 

Bottom line - accesskeys are flawed and potentially create more issues than
they resolve.  It is for this reason (I believe) that the W3C is deprecating
the accesskey attribute in XHTML 2.

I currently have a challenge out there on another accessibility list (GAWDS
- www.gawds.org) regarding accesskeys:

> And so I issue the challenge.  Show me *one* user, who honestly and
> truthfully seeks out accesskeys in their day-to-day web surfing
> usage.  Show me *one* person who somehow is denied or
> disadvantaged by the lack of accesskeys on any given web site;
> proving that accesskeys *do* benefit that
> person.
>
> If that person can be found, and can show to me that what I preach
> (or scream or moan or simply rant about - depending on your
> perspective) is really wrong I will shut up, go away, and never
> bring this up again.
> 
> Any takers?

So far, there have been none.

JF
--
John Foliot  foliot@wats.ca
Web Accessibility Specialist / Co-founder of WATS.ca
Web Accessibility Testing and Services
http://www.wats.ca   
Phone: 1-613-482-7053

Received on Friday, 8 July 2005 18:16:48 UTC