Initial description: Person with motor disabilities using keyboard (without assistive technology) to navigate always knows which input element currently has focus
Updated description: Alex experiencing good and bad focus indicators while navigating websites via keyboard.
Alex has been a reporter for many years and has developed a repetitive strain injury. It is painful for him to use a mouse and to type for extended periods of time.
Alex sitting in an office and working on a desktop computer. He stretches his wrists to relieve discomfort from typing.
2
0:12 - 0:21
He uses an ergonomic keyboard to browse websites and to type short pieces of text. Specifically, he uses the Tab-key to jump between links, form fields, and other controls.
Zoom to show the ergonomic keyboard. He is not typing anymore but using the Tab-key to move through a form with many entries.
3
0:21 - 0:30
Well-designed websites indicate the currently active links and controls. This can be a clearly visible rectangle around to an active link or control.
We see the screen and a clear focus indicator moving from one form field to the next as he presses the Tab-key.
4
0:30 - 0:38
Some websites do not provide such indicators. This means that nothing changes on his screen when he presses the tab key, so he does not know where the current focus is on the page.
Same scene with another website with no focus indicator. Alex looks confused/lost then dismayed/frustrated (he is tapping the tab key but not seeing the indicator on the screen).
5
0:38 - 0:46
Alex can use websites with clear focus indicators much more effectively, and avoids sites with no indicators whenever possible.
Back to the website with good focus indicator; we see Alex happier while using the Tab-key and typing away on his computer.