How keyboard testing improves digital accessibility
Designing digital experiences that work for everyone can start with a few simple, actionable steps you can take right now, with no complex tools or advanced training required. One of the most impactful? Keyboard testing.
In some of Deque’s internal testing, we’ve found that more than 15% of digital accessibility issues have to do with keyboard inaccessibility. That is not a small gap—that is a major barrier for people with disabilities.
Keyboard testing can help remove this barrier. The benefits are immediate. By making your digital products, services, and experiences keyboard accessible, you enable a far wider audience to gain access to your offerings. It’s not only the right thing to do; it’s better for your business.
What is keyboard testing, and why does it matter?
Keyboard testing checks whether users can navigate and interact with your digital content using only a keyboard. This matters because many people—especially those with fine motor disabilities—may not use a mouse or touchscreen at all.
Designing something with keyboard accessibility in mind means users can complete tasks with a keyboard just as easily as with a mouse.
Why keyboard testing is so impactful
According to the World Health Organization, 1.3 billion people—about 16% of the global population—self-identify as having a disability. Many of them rely on keyboards or alternative input devices to navigate the digital world.
Here’s how keyboard accessibility supports different user needs:
- Visual disabilities: Screen reader users typically rely on keyboard navigation.
- Cognitive disabilities: Keyboard interaction can reduce cognitive load compared to using a mouse.
- Mobility disabilities: People with limited motor control may depend entirely on a keyboard or assistive tech.
When digital products support keyboard navigation, they become more usable for everyone—not just people with disabilities.
How to get started with keyboard testing
Keyboard testing is simple and revealing. Try navigating your own website or app using only a keyboard. You will likely spot issues you never noticed with a mouse.
Here are the basic keys to test with:
- Tab: Move forward through interactive elements (links, buttons, form fields).
- Shift + Tab: Move backward.
- Enter / Spacebar: Activate buttons, links, and checkboxes.
- Escape: Close modals or menus.
- Arrow keys: Navigate within dropdowns, menus, sliders, and carousels.
Keyboard-only navigation can expose barriers that affect real users—and give you a roadmap for fixing them. Below is a quick video demonstration, where I show you how these keys work and how to use them to move through a web page:
Four things to look for during keyboard testing
As you engage with a page, you can ask yourself the following questions:
1. Can you see where you are?
Users should always know their position on the screen. A visible focus indicator—like a ring around a button or link—should appear as they tab through content.
Tip: Use CSS to style the `:focus` state so it stands out clearly.
2. Can you complete every task with only the keyboard?
If a feature only works with a mouse (like hover-only interactions), it fails accessibility standards.
Tip: Ensure all interactive elements are usable without a mouse.
3. Can you move freely without getting stuck?
Users should never get trapped on one part of the page. Modals and overlays must include a way to close them and return focus to the element that triggered them.
Tip: Pressing Escape should close pop-ups and return focus appropriately.
4. Does the navigation make sense?
Focus should follow a logical order and only land on actionable items—not decorative content.
Tip: Tab order should match the visual layout (top to bottom, left to right).
It’s not just about meeting digital accessibility standards. Usability matters.
Keyboard accessibility is essential—but not sufficient. To truly create inclusive experiences, consider usability as well:
- A form may be keyboard-accessible but still confusing if the tab order jumps around.
- A carousel might respond to arrow keys but leave users disoriented if focus does not follow the selected slide.
- A site may be navigable, but poor structure can still leave users lost.
Usability means making the experience intuitive, clear, and easy to complete.
Start keyboard testing today
Keyboard testing has a ripple effect. It helps people who rely on keyboards and improves the overall usability of your digital products. As you use only your keyboard to navigate your site or appr, remember to ask yourself these three foundational questions:
- Can I see where I am?
- Can I complete every action?
- Can I move logically through the experience?
If you can answer “yes” to those questions—and avoid getting stuck—you are on the right path. If not? You have just uncovered an opportunity to improve accessibility and user experience.
That is a win-win for everyone.
Contact Deque for keyboard accessibility and more
As the industry leader in digital accessibility, Deque has helped organizations of all sizes build experiences that are not only compliant, but truly inclusive. Whether you need expert guidance, testing tools, or a complete accessibility strategy, contact our team. Let’s build a more accessible world together.
