Free - Improving Accessibility for Motor Impaired Users

The unique requirements for motor impaired web users can often be overlooked or poorly implemented. Motor impairments can be caused by a stroke, Parkinson's disease, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a physical disability or even a broken arm. This group of users essentially have limited or no ability to use a mouse.

Don't use access keys

You can assign access keys to any links or form items so as to provide keyboard shortcuts to them. The problem with access keys is there's no convention so the few sites that use them do so in whichever way they choose. Site visitors are unlikely to spend the time getting accustomed to your website's particular access keys.

For example, you could assign the access key, 'h', to the home link. PC users can then simply press ctrl+h (Mac users press alt+h) followed by enter to access the home link. Another website may assign the access key, '1', to the home link; another website may use 'o' (say if 'h' is being used for the help link) and so on.

Access keys can also override keyboard shortcuts for screen readers.

This article was written by Trenton Moss. Trenton's crazy about web usability and accessibility - so crazy that he went and started his own usability and accessibility consultancy, Webcredible, to help make the Internet a better place for everyone. He can often be found carrying out an accessibility audit and spends much of his time working on the world's most accessible CMS.