Introduction
Thanks for your interest in the Abra kick-off training about the accessibility of apps. My name is Paul van Workum and I am working in the field of app accessibility.
Keyboard Access
With an external keyboard it is possible to operate your complete device. It can be difficult for people with a motor disability to operate a touchscreen. Pressing a key is easier.
Useful
For blind people, the keyboard is especially useful for fast navigation and typing. There are also many people who connect their keyboard to their tablet. It is also useful for them if they can operate an app via this keyboard.
Requirements
One of the WCAG criteria demands that an app can be controlled with a keyboard interface. So it is important to test apps with a keyboard. If the keyboard is working, almost all the time voice control and switch control will also work.
It is not possible to change the outline colour. It is important to consider this when designing an app.
Key combinations
Using a keyboard is straightforward. When using a Windows keyboard:
- Use the arrow keys to navigate.
- Press ‘Tab’ to go to the next active element.
- Press ‘Shift + Tab’ to go to the previous element.
- Press ‘Space’ to activate an element.
For Apple keyboards, use ‘command’ instead of ‘windows’. And use ‘option’ instead of ‘alt’.
Connecting
Connect your keyboard with Bluetooth. And for iOS, adjust the settings to ‘full keyboard access’, turn the switch ‘on’. You find it at ‘settings’, then ‘accessibility’, then ‘keyboard.’
Demonstration
Let me show you how a Windows keyboard works on Android. Let’s go to the ScreenReader app.
(PAUL OPENS THE SCREENREADER APP)
Press ‘Tab’ to go to the next item.
(KEYBOARD FOCUS MOVES TO THE NEXT ITEM)
Press ‘Shift’+’Tab’ to go to the previous item.
(KEYBOARD FOCUS MOVES TO THE PREVIOUS ITEM)
You can use the arrow keys to navigate your app.
(KEYBOARD FOCUS MOVES UP AND DOWN)
Press ‘Space’ to activate an element, like a button or a link.
(THE ‘EXPLORE THE SCREEN’ ITEM IS ACTIVATED)
Press ‘Escape’ to go back.
(THE HOME SCREEN IS SHOWN)
If you do not know what options you have, press ‘windows’+’dash’. This will show the options you have to navigate your app.
