select must not change context

Rule ID Focus 4
Definition select elements with onchange event handler must not automatically change the user's context when keyboard focus moves between options.
Purpose
  • User's can become disoriented if the focus changes cause unpredicatable actions.
  • When the user is using the kyboard to explore select box options, the focus must stay on the options, until the user selects one of the options.
Mappings
  • HTML4 Legacy Techniques (Required)
  • HTML5 and ARIA Techniques (Required)
WCAG Success Criteria

3.2.2 On Input (Level A, Primary Success Criterion)

Rule Category Forms
Scope Element
Target Resources a, area and role="link" elements
  • select
Techniques
  • Do not use onchange event handlers on select elements.
  • Use selections should be made using the enter key.
Manual Checks
  • Move focus to the selection box and use the keyboard to move the focus between options, check to make sure the focus changes are not causing the context to change (i.e. focus movig to a new window or focus moving from the current option in the select box).
Informational Links