[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #34668: Network admin can't be accessed via keyboard

[WordPress Trac]

#34668: Network admin can't be accessed via keyboard
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 Reporter:  abletec       |       Owner:
     Type:  defect (bug)  |      Status:  new
 Priority:  normal        |   Milestone:  Awaiting Review
Component:  Toolbar       |     Version:  4.3.1
 Severity:  normal        |  Resolution:
 Keywords:                |     Focuses:  accessibility, javascript
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Changes (by afercia):

 * focuses:  accessibility, multisite => accessibility, javascript
 * component:  Networks and Sites => Toolbar


Comment:

 As far as I can tell, this is not specific to Network installations and
 happens in single installations too, for all the menu items in the admin
 bar and just '''when a screen reader is running'''. Putting it simply,
 JavaScript keyboard events don't work as many developers would expect when
 a screen reader is running.

 Screen readers intercept key strokes (with a few exceptions) for their own
 needs. Browsers are simply unaware a `keydown` event occurred.

 This kind of non-native interactions would need some serious ARIA to
 actually work with screen readers. I'm not even sure it can be done
 without an admin bar major refactoring. I'd propose to discuss this in the
 next accessibility team weekly chat in order to plan some action and
 verify available resources.

 In the screenshots below:

 1. dumping the top menu item `keydown` event in the console, the link
 default action is prevented and the sub-menu opens:

 [[Image(https://cldup.com/nEWTcxxnht.png)]]

 2. doing the same thing with NVDA running, no event and the link gets
 activated:

 [[Image(https://cldup.com/eca8qdjeRK.png)]]

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/34668#comment:3>
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