Accesskey

The Accesskey tag is contained in the "A href" element and enables users to go directly to links within a website by using keyboard letter or number combinations, saving scrolling and tabbing. Accesskeys are invoked by pressing the alt (Windows) or apple/command (Mac) keys along with the character that has been designated. There are mixed opinions about using letters, since they can conflict with browser and assistive technology keyboard combinations.

Although there is no standard for accesskeys, IBM has adopted the combinations recommended by the United Kingdom eGovernment unit for its websites (http://www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/e-government/resources/handbook/html/2-4.asp).

It is considered good form to identify accesskeys visually so that sighted users can take advantage of them. One method is to highlight the letter to which they apply, by putting "Alt + the character" in parentheses, for example "Format (Alt+F)". A less intrusive method is to frame it with the <strong> tag and create a class in Cascading Style Sheets that differentiates the character with an underline, em, and/or bold emphasis. Another method, using the pseudo:first-letter class, is of limited usefullness since it is limited to first letters and is not supported by IE for the Mac or pre-IE 5.5 browsers.

Remember to always list your accesskeys in an accessibility section.

Code Example

<p>
<a href="#Content"
accesskey="S"
title="Skip to main content: Alt+S">
Content</a>
</p>

<a href="Index.html" accesskey="1" 
title="Home Page: Alt+1">
Home (Alt + 1)

Browsers

Accesskeys are implemented by IE 4.0 and above for the PC and IE 5.0 and above for the Mac. Netscape Navigator implements accesskeys starting with version 6.0 for the PC only.

Adaptive Technology

Home Page Reader 3.04 implements accesskeys using Alt + Shift + "Letter". JAWS and Window-Eyes implement accesskeys using the Alt + "Letter" keys when paired with Internet Explorer. Screen readers will announce the availability of accesskeys character when reading link text.