Re: Success Criteria 2.1.4 Question

Thank you Patrick for your quick reply.

In addition to a “Turn off” mechanism, there are 2 other exceptions, 
1. Ability to remap, and 
2. Active only on focus.

The provided examples and scenarios in the WCAG documentation do not apply for our game-like interactive learning tools.

So to be more specific, I have 2 more questions:

1. Is it only single-key character key shortcuts that do not require focus for activation that would fail?

2. Would paired character-key shortcuts (pressing and holding one character key while pressing a second character key) also fail if the combination does not require focus? 

For example, imagine an interface (Projectile Data Lab <https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/projectile-data-lab/latest/projectile-data-lab_all.html>) that includes a visual metaphor representing different sets of data - a series of soccer fields onto which projectiles (data points) have been launched. Pressing and holding the F-key while then pressing a number key allows a learner to easily compare the projectiles launched onto Field 3 with the projectiles launched on to Field 6 while keeping their keyboard focus on the Launch button.

The intent of SC 2.1.4 seems to be written/designed to prevent accidental fires that can be catastrophic to the user experience, but in our case switching fields accidentally is not catastrophic.

I would very much appreciate a little more help me with my 2 questions above, so I can assess the urgency of developing additional mechanisms (mechanisms to disable or remap key shortcuts). Both seem quite useful for the future, but not immediately necessary for our simulations that do not currently have text input or speech input capability.

Most respectfully,
Taliesin

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~
Taliesin L. Smith
talilief@gmail.com 
taliesin.smith@colorado.edu 

Inclusive Design Research Specialist
PhET Interactive Simulations
http://phet.colorado.edu/
Department of Physics
University of Colorado, Boulder






> On Jun 10, 2024, at 20:00, Patrick H. Lauke <redux@splintered.co.uk> wrote:
> 
> 2.1.4 applies in all cases, and is not limited to text input. If the page/app responds to single-key keyboard shortcuts, it fails the SC unless they can be turned off or redefined.
> 
> P
> -- 
> Patrick H. Lauke
> 
> * https://www.splintered.co.uk/
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> 
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