Accessibility Advice Series: Visual Indicators of Current Focus

As technology continues to advance and become an increasingly integral part of our daily lives, it is important to consider the needs of all users, including those who are blind or low vision. One way to improve the accessibility of a website or application is to provide visual indication of the current focus for users who may have difficulty navigating through content.

The current focus refers to the item on a website or application that is currently selected or active. This can be a button, form field, or other element that the user is interacting with. For users who are unable to see or easily identify the current focus, it can be difficult to navigate through content and use the site or application effectively.

One way to provide visual indication of the current focus on a website is to use an HTML style CSS (cascading style sheets) to highlight or outline around the active element. This can be a simple border or a more noticeable color change, depending on the design of the site or application. This helps users with visual impairments to easily identify the current focus and navigate through the content more effectively.

Another option is to use a moving or flashing cursor to indicate the current focus. This can be especially helpful for users who have difficulty tracking the focus on a page, as the cursor provides a clear visual cue that can be easily followed. This can be combined with other visual indications, such as a highlight or outline, to provide even more support for users with visual impairments.

In addition to improving accessibility for users with visual impairments, providing visual indication of the current focus can also benefit users with cognitive or motor impairments. These users may have difficulty navigating through content and understanding the current focus without additional visual cues. By providing clear and obvious indicators of the current focus, developers can make their websites and applications more accessible, user-friendly and enhance the experience for a wider range of users.