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Why it Matters

Gesture navigation and Keyboard Tab navigation order, and any other potential basic sequential navigation mechanism, should be equivalent to that experienced with conventional touch navigation so that keyboard-only and screen reader users are able to navigate the app user interface.

A logical focus order usually means that when users navigate through content, they encounter information in an order that is consistent with the layout of the content and that they can operate this content directly from the keyboard in a way that is predictable. While the focus order may be different from the intended designed reading order, it is usually expected that the focus order will follow the same general patterns. As long as the order in which active elements are tabbed into using the keyboard makes sense and remains logical, and the user can still reliably understand and operate the app page, a different focus order on keyboard is totally acceptable.

Sighted keyboard-only users who expect the focus order to be consistent with the designed reading order of the page benefit most from this requirement, as will non-sighted assistive technology users, who can only rely on what their tools convey to make sense of the navigation flow of the content in the page. While every user, regardless of disability, will likely benefit form a logical and predictable focus order, people with mobility impairments who must rely on keyboard access to operate a page, and those with a cognitive disability that are at a risk of becoming disoriented when the tab order sends them to an unexpected location are also among those who benefit most from satisfaction of this rule.