Switch access
Also known as: Switch device
Switch access lets someone operate a device with one or two simple buttons (switches) instead of a keyboard or mouse — often used by people with significant motor disabilities.
In plain terms
The device highlights each control in turn, and the person hits a switch to select the one they want. It relies completely on a logical focus order and everything being keyboard-operable, because the switch is essentially standing in for the Tab and Enter keys.
Why it matters
If your site works properly by keyboard, it usually works for switch users too. If it doesn't, switch users are among the most locked-out — every mouse-only feature is a wall.
A switch user completes a form by scanning through fields one at a time — impossible if the focus order jumps around or a control can't take focus.
Related terms
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