Test Your Website with Just a Keyboard: The Easiest Accessibility Check

Originally published at A11yFix . There is an accessibility test so simple that anyone can do it right now, without installing anything, without reading any guidelines, and without any technical knowledge. All you need is your keyboard. Put your mouse in a drawer. Seriously. For the next ten minutes, try to use your website with nothing but your keyboard. You will discover problems you never knew existed -- problems that affect far more people than you might think. Why Keyboard Testing Matters Most people assume keyboard accessibility is only relevant for blind users with screen readers. That assumption is wrong, and it causes businesses to overlook one of the most impactful accessibility improvements they can make. Who Uses a Keyboard to Navigate the Web? People with motor disabilities. Conditions like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Parkinson's disease, and repetitive strain injuries can make using a mouse painful, difficult, or impossible. Many of these users rely on keyboards,