Keyboard testing a critical website path

Keyboard testing asks a simple question: can a person complete an important task without a mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen? It is a fast way to uncover focus, control, and order problems that affect many assistive-technology users.

Choose one critical task

Use a real path such as finding a service, opening a navigation menu, completing a request, or sending a message. Start at the address bar, use Tab and Shift+Tab to move, Enter or Space to activate controls, and Escape where a component offers a dismiss action.

What to observe

• Every meaningful control can receive focus and can be operated from the keyboard.
• The focus indicator remains visible and is not hidden by sticky elements or motion.
• Focus order preserves the meaning of the page and follows the workflow sensibly.
• Dialogs, menus, and dynamic content do not trap or lose focus.
• The task can be completed without a pointer-only gesture.

Turn findings into fixes

Prefer native links and controls for native behavior. Avoid positive tabindex values that create an artificial order. Retest the exact task after every change, including on small screens.

Kiwi can include keyboard-path checks in website and product quality review; a complete accessibility evaluation needs its own stated scope.