A focusable element is an interface element that can receive keyboard or programmatic input focus. It gives keyboard-only users a route through a page without relying on pointer interactions. section 7.3.3
Keyboard interaction depends on focus and focus order:
- Tab moves to the next focusable element; Shift-Tab moves backward. section 7.3.3
- Space toggles focused controls such as dropdown menus and checkboxes. section 7.3.3
- Enter activates focused buttons or links and can submit a form. section 7.3.3
- Arrow keys can scroll an active viewport or change values such as sliders and radio-button choices. section 7.3.3
Not every page element is focusable. Links, dropdown menus, and buttons are examples of elements that are inherently focusable; accessible interfaces should use focusable elements alongside alt text and ARIA labels wherever possible. section 7.3.3 section 7.5
