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2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts [Level A]

Description

If a keyboard shortcut is implemented in content using only letter (including upper- and lower-case letters), punctuation, number, or symbol characters, then at least one of the following is true:

Turn off: A mechanism is available to turn the shortcut off;
Remap: A mechanism is available to remap the shortcut to use one or more non-printable keyboard characters (e.g. Ctrl, Alt, etc);
Active only on focus: The keyboard shortcut for a user interface component is only active when that component has focus.

Sufficent Techniques

Users have a way to turn off single-key shortcuts
A mechanism is provided to allow users to change character-key shortcuts. The remapping mechanism includes non-printing characters. The alternative shortcuts could be longer strings of up to 25 characters that would directly serve as native speech commands for any speech engine.

Advisory Techniques

Failures

Failure of Success Criteria 2.1.4 due to a webpage or web app that includes single-key shortcuts not including a control that allows users to turn the shortcuts off or a control that allows users to change the shortcuts to key combinations that include keys that are not upper or lower-case letters, punctuation, number, or symbol characters.

Notes