15.3 Keyboard shortcuts
New standards released
New standards were launched in March 2009 and replace the previous version, the New Zealand Government Web Standards 1.0. Note that, in order to ease transition to the new standards, version 1.0 (below) may still be used in web development until 31 September 2009. See Meeting the standards.
The Standard
15.3 Provide keyboard shortcuts to important links (including those in client-side image maps), form controls, and groups of form controls.
Guide to this standard
This standard covers the W3C WAI checkpoint 9.5 for NZ government agencies.
Related Standard
8.4 – Navigational Access Keys defined for NZ Government web sites
Rationale for this standard
Not all users utilise a mouse or other "pointing" device for navigational purposes and rely on "tabbing" (usually via the "TAB" key) to move the cursor. Of further assistance to all users, not just those relying on the keyboard alone, keys that duplicate a navigation link to common or expected parts of a web site assist economy and efficiency.
