Accessibility Test Cases

A11Y-KBD-006

Visible focus

Generated file current Authoring: Content complete
What file status means

This status reports only whether the generated procedure matches the current controlled source hash. It is not independent content verification, regulatory approval, product evidence or a conformance decision.

Recorded standards review: No optional specialist review recorded. Next review: Not scheduled.

MethodKeyboard journey
TesterGeneral QA tester
Indicative effort40–58 min small scope

Checks visible focus across the authorised representative sample.

Available formats

Use this test in the format you need

The HTML procedure includes the working worksheet. JSON provides the structured source data. Editable Markdown files are delivered inside package downloads.

Purpose

What this test checks

Checks visible focus across the authorised representative sample.

What this result means: This procedure records how Visible focus behaves on web-desktop-cross-browser. It can expose evidence relevant to WCAG 2.4.7 for the tested task and environment. Use the linked conformance procedures for WCAG 2.4.7 to assess the complete requirements across the declared conformance scope.

Why it matters

Checks visible focus across the authorised representative sample. People most likely affected: people who use a keyboard, switch device, keyboard emulator or other sequential input. A target may be unreachable, unusable, hidden or impossible to leave without pointer input. In the recorded web-desktop-cross-browser environment, prioritise modal layers, composite widgets, validation and recovery paths, where unreachable controls, an illogical focus sequence or a keyboard trap can stop task completion.

When to use it

Apply Visible focus when the frozen web-content scope operated with a keyboard interface and no pointer assistance. The selected focus is Visible focus.

Confirm before starting

Mark it not applicable only when

Exceptions

This platform, journey, usability or quality procedure creates no additional normative exception. Apply exceptions only in the linked atomic or criterion-level conformance procedure and preserve that separate decision.

Prepare

What you need

  • The product area and test targets are agreed before testing starts.
  • The operating system, browser, viewport and input method are recorded.
  • Test data is safe to use and does not expose unnecessary personal information.

Targets and required variations

  • Each selected function, component and complete-process state relevant to Visible focus.
  • Default, revealed, loading, empty, validation error, interruption, recovery and confirmation where meaningful.
  • Every required environment, viewport, orientation, language and authenticated state recorded in the frozen scope.

Clean state

  • Complete a known-good calibration in the same environment before product testing.
  • Start from a recorded clean or known state and preserve any prior preferences, extensions, cache or profile settings that can affect output.

Effort estimate

Setup
12 min
Per target
12 min
Evidence
8 min
Technical review
8 min

Assumptions: one short journey with up to ten focusable controls; complex widgets and dialogs add separate scenario runs

Variation: Add a new per-target execution and evidence allowance for each additional target class or state that could produce a different result. Add setup time for each distinct environment.

Excluded: Client coordination, inaccessible-environment recovery, recruitment, legal review, remediation implementation and waiting time unless the procedure states otherwise.

Execute

Test steps

Follow each action in order. The expected result is always visible; open the guidance when you need setup, tool, evidence, decision or repeat details. Step-level recording is optional while work is in progress and required only to export a completed execution.

Step 1

Prepare the scope, target and environment

Purpose: For Visible focus, prepare the named scenario: Prepare the scope, target and environment. Target: Each selected function, component and complete-process state relevant to Visible focus. The preparation must establish this result: The selected targets, states, test data, environment and any scope limitations are complete enough for another qualified tester to reproduce the setup.

User impact: A target may be unreachable, unusable, hidden or impossible to leave without pointer input. This scenario isolates that risk in the action named Prepare the scope, target and environment.

Before executing Visible focus, freeze the product version and scope. Inventory each applicable target, select the required starting states, prepare safe test data and record every required environment value. Complete any named known-good calibration before attributing an observation to the product.

Expected result

The selected targets, states, test data, environment and any scope limitations are complete enough for another qualified tester to reproduce the setup.

Failure observation

During Visible focus, the target, starting state, environment or scope record remains ambiguous for the scenario named Prepare the scope, target and environment. The preparation result cannot be demonstrated: The selected targets, states, test data, environment and any scope limitations are complete enough for another qualified tester to reproduce the setup.

Setup, evidence and decision guidance
Target
Each selected function, component and complete-process state relevant to Visible focus.
Required state
For Visible focus, the product version and scope are frozen; every selected target and material starting state is uniquely identified.
Tool or command
Use the scope record and worksheet environment fields for Visible focus: operating_system, operating_system_version, browser, browser_version, viewport_css_pixels, input_method.
Record
Scope/version reference; target inventory; starting states; safe-data reference; every required environment value; calibration result or reason it is not required.
Pass
Record passed for the Visible focus scenario named Prepare the scope, target and environment only when the evidence (Scope/version reference; target inventory; starting states; safe-data reference; every required environment value; calibration result or reason it is not required.) supports: The selected targets, states, test data, environment and any scope limitations are complete enough for another qualified tester to reproduce the setup.
Fail
Record failed when the action is completed and this failure observation is reproduced: During Visible focus, the target, starting state, environment or scope record remains ambiguous for the scenario named Prepare the scope, target and environment. The preparation result cannot be demonstrated: The selected targets, states, test data, environment and any scope limitations are complete enough for another qualified tester to reproduce the setup.
Not applicable
The frozen scope contains no function, component or state relevant to Visible focus.
Blocked
Record blocked, not passed, when An applicable target, required state, complete process or named real environment was not executed.
Repeat or recover
For Visible focus, correct the setup gap, preserve the original blocked record and start a new execution observation before proceeding.
Limitations
This scenario records the action named Prepare the scope, target and environment for Visible focus in web-desktop-cross-browser. It does not establish behaviour for another target, state or environment and does not set a WCAG conformance decision.
If you are new to this test
For Visible focus, do not begin from an undocumented browser tab, document copy, device state, participant plan or evidence set. Record the exact item you will test first.
Record this step

Step 2

Observe every focused control in normal, zoomed, dark and forced-colours states

Purpose: For Visible focus, execute the named scenario: Observe every focused control in normal, zoomed, dark and forced-colours states. Target: Each selected function, component and complete-process state relevant to Visible focus. Compare the observation with this result: Focus is always visually distinguishable from unfocused states.

User impact: A target may be unreachable, unusable, hidden or impossible to leave without pointer input. This scenario isolates that risk in the action named Observe every focused control in normal, zoomed, dark and forced-colours states.

Observe every focused control in normal, zoomed, dark and forced-colours states.

Expected result

Focus is always visually distinguishable from unfocused states.

Failure observation

After the tester completes the Visible focus scenario named Observe every focused control in normal, zoomed, dark and forced-colours states, the recorded observation for the target is inconsistent with the required result: Focus is always visually distinguishable from unfocused states.

Setup, evidence and decision guidance
Target
Each selected function, component and complete-process state relevant to Visible focus.
Required state
For Visible focus, begin in keyboard focus on the last confirmed target before the action, with no pointer assistance; preserve the exact content, account, platform and configuration used.
Tool or command
In web-desktop-cross-browser, Use a physical keyboard with the pointer parked outside the content. Use Tab and Shift+Tab for sequential navigation, the documented arrow keys within composite widgets, Enter or Space for activation, and Escape only where the component defines a close or cancel action.
Record
Exact keys, focus sequence, target identity and state. Save the focus sequence, keystrokes, outcome and evidence; record any pointer intervention as a failure or blocked execution.
Pass
Record passed for the Visible focus scenario named Observe every focused control in normal, zoomed, dark and forced-colours states only when the evidence (Exact keys, focus sequence, target identity and state. Save the focus sequence, keystrokes, outcome and evidence; record any pointer intervention as a failure or blocked execution.) supports: Focus is always visually distinguishable from unfocused states.
Fail
Record failed when the action is completed and this failure observation is reproduced: After the tester completes the Visible focus scenario named Observe every focused control in normal, zoomed, dark and forced-colours states, the recorded observation for the target is inconsistent with the required result: Focus is always visually distinguishable from unfocused states.
Not applicable
The frozen scope contains no function, component or state relevant to Visible focus.
Blocked
Record blocked, not passed, when An applicable target, required state, complete process or named real environment was not executed.
Repeat or recover
Repeat forward and backward in every applicable responsive, validation, modal and authenticated state. Repeat with the reverse focus direction and in every revealed, validation-error and recovery state that contains the target. Preserve the first Visible focus observation when repeating.
Limitations
This scenario records the action named Observe every focused control in normal, zoomed, dark and forced-colours states for Visible focus in web-desktop-cross-browser. It does not establish behaviour for another target, state or environment and does not set a WCAG conformance decision.
If you are new to this test
For Visible focus: Keep both hands off the mouse and track the visible focus indicator after every key. If focus disappears, jumps unexpectedly or requires a pointer, stop at that action and record the last reachable target.
Record this step

Step 3

Repeat material variations and recovery

Purpose: For Visible focus, execute the named scenario: Repeat material variations and recovery. Target: Each selected function, component and complete-process state relevant to Visible focus. Compare the observation with this result: Every material variation and required recovery path has its own reproducible observation; no unexecuted state is merged into a passing result.

User impact: A target may be unreachable, unusable, hidden or impossible to leave without pointer input. This scenario isolates that risk in the action named Repeat material variations and recovery.

Repeat the Visible focus action for each inventoried variation that can change the outcome. Include relevant default, revealed, error, interruption, recovery and confirmation states and complete the selected process from start to finish where this test can affect task completion.

Expected result

Every material variation and required recovery path has its own reproducible observation; no unexecuted state is merged into a passing result.

Failure observation

After the tester completes the Visible focus scenario named Repeat material variations and recovery, the recorded observation for the target is inconsistent with the required result: Every material variation and required recovery path has its own reproducible observation; no unexecuted state is merged into a passing result.

Setup, evidence and decision guidance
Target
Each selected function, component and complete-process state relevant to Visible focus.
Required state
For Visible focus: Default, revealed, loading, empty, validation error, interruption, recovery and confirmation where meaningful. Every required environment, viewport, orientation, language and authenticated state recorded in the frozen scope.
Tool or command
For Visible focus, use the same recorded method, then change only the state, environment or recovery condition being compared.
Record
Variation identifier; changed state or environment; start and end points; actual observation; recovery result; intervention; evidence reference and target outcome.
Pass
Record passed for the Visible focus scenario named Repeat material variations and recovery only when the evidence (Variation identifier; changed state or environment; start and end points; actual observation; recovery result; intervention; evidence reference and target outcome.) supports: Every material variation and required recovery path has its own reproducible observation; no unexecuted state is merged into a passing result.
Fail
Record failed when the action is completed and this failure observation is reproduced: After the tester completes the Visible focus scenario named Repeat material variations and recovery, the recorded observation for the target is inconsistent with the required result: Every material variation and required recovery path has its own reproducible observation; no unexecuted state is merged into a passing result.
Not applicable
The frozen scope contains no function, component or state relevant to Visible focus.
Blocked
Record blocked, not passed, when An applicable target, required state, complete process or named real environment was not executed.
Repeat or recover
Repeat this action for every required variation of Visible focus and after a material target, content, state, environment or configuration change. Preserve the original observation.
Limitations
This scenario records the action named Repeat material variations and recovery for Visible focus in web-desktop-cross-browser. It does not establish behaviour for another target, state or environment and does not set a WCAG conformance decision.
If you are new to this test
For Visible focus, change one material condition at a time where practical. Do not assume that a passing default state covers errors, overlays, orientation changes, interruptions or recovery.
Record this step

Decide

How to decide

Passed

Focus is always visually distinguishable from unfocused states.

Failed

An applicable Visible focus target has a reproducible material barrier against one or more stated expectations; identify the exact expectation, state and evidence.

Not applicable
The frozen scope contains no function, component or state relevant to Visible focus.
Cannot tell
The target is applicable, but conflicting evidence or unresolved responsibility prevents a defensible expectation decision after recorded comparison.
Not tested
An applicable target, required state, complete process or named real environment was not executed.
Aggregation and reporting boundaries

Aggregation: Preserve every target/environment outcome. Any failed target prevents an overall passed procedure result. cantTell and untested remain unresolved; inapplicable is valid only when the completed inventory contains no applicable target.

WCAG decision: This specialist, platform, document, usability or quality result does not set a WCAG success criterion to satisfied or not_satisfied automatically. Use linked atomic and criterion-level procedures for that separate decision.

Automation: A checker, accessibility-tree inspection, emulator or simulated assistive technology is diagnostic evidence only. Complete every required manual, real-platform, contextual and exception check.

Record

Record the result

Record the target, state and observed behaviour. Add evidence or technical details only when needed.

Choose the option that best matches what happened to this target.

Describe the actual behaviour and why it supports the selected result.

When more than one target is recorded, the overall procedure result is calculated from all target results.

Environment: Not set.
Add evidence or details

Choose only the group needed for this record. These fields remain optional for a working draft.

Evidence references

Enter one file name, issue ID or evidence reference per line. Files stay on your device.

Test environment

Save a named profile once to reuse the same product, platform and environment details on other procedures in this browser.

Engagement and tester identifiers

Formal completion and limitations

Identify the frozen list or sampling record used to select every target represented by this execution.

Choose a final result before marking the execution complete. Completed records require the full environment, step, evidence and method-specific information.

Data management

Export before clearing if the record must be retained. Apply the engagement retention schedule and delete browser data when it is no longer needed.

Saved drafts stay in this browser and are not uploaded. Do not enter credentials, secrets or unnecessary personal data.

Reference

Supporting information

Standards and requirement mappings
  • W3C-WCAG22 · 2.4.7 secondary · partial

    This Keyboard journey observes Visible focus in the recorded web-desktop-cross-browser environment. Use the linked WCAG 2.4.7 conformance procedure to evaluate all normative parts of WCAG 2.4.7 across the declared scope.

  • W3C-ARIA-APG · W3C-ARIA-APG advisory · supporting

    This source does not override WCAG or create an additional WCAG conformance requirement.

  • MICROSOFT-EDGE-A11Y · MICROSOFT-EDGE-A11Y advisory · supporting

    This source does not override WCAG or create an additional WCAG conformance requirement.

  • W3C-WCAG22-TECHNIQUES · W3C-WCAG22-TECHNIQUES advisory · supporting

    This source does not override WCAG or create an additional WCAG conformance requirement.

Supporting and advisory guidance

Supporting sources are identified in the mappings and source register. They do not add conformance requirements.

Evidence specification
  • Interaction sequence

    Exact keys, focus sequence, target identity and state.

    Reference or redact sensitive material. Do not store credentials, secrets, unnecessary personal data or unconsented participant data.

  • Visual record

    Visible-focus or target-state evidence at each material step.

    Reference or redact sensitive material. Do not store credentials, secrets, unnecessary personal data or unconsented participant data.

  • Recovery record

    Pointer intervention, trap, interruption and recovery outcome.

    Reference or redact sensitive material. Do not store credentials, secrets, unnecessary personal data or unconsented participant data.

Worked example and outcome calibration

A11Y-KBD-006-WORKED-001: representative worked example

Context: Representative synthetic example for Visible focus on a fictional, version-frozen product target; no client or participant execution occurred.

Inspected: The tester follows S2 (Observe every focused control in normal, zoomed, dark and forced-colours states) using the target, required state, tool and repeat rule stated in this procedure.

Observed output: After the tester completes the Visible focus scenario named Observe every focused control in normal, zoomed, dark and forced-colours states, the recorded observation for the target is inconsistent with the required result: Focus is always visually distinguishable from unfocused states.

Evidence:

  • example-evidence-001: target and state record for Each selected function, component and complete-process state relevant to Visible focus.
  • example-evidence-002: contemporaneous observation from the named method — Exact keys, focus sequence, target identity and state. Save the focus sequence, keystrokes, outcome and evidence; record any pointer intervention as a failure or blocked execution.
  • example-evidence-003: comparison note linking the actual observation to the expected result and claim boundary

Tester reasoning: The recorded observation does not demonstrate the expected result: Focus is always visually distinguishable from unfocused states. The failed decision is limited to this synthetic target and state; unexecuted coverage is not inferred.

Decision: failed

Finding: A11Y-KBD-006-example-finding-001 — Visible focus: expected result is not demonstrated. The represented barrier may affect People who use a keyboard, switch device, keyboard emulator or other sequential input.

Remediation: Change the represented target or process so it demonstrates this result: Focus is always visually distinguishable from unfocused states. Then rerun the affected step and every dependent variation.

Reviewer feedback: The reviewer confirms applicability, environment, actual-versus-expected comparison, evidence references and bounded wording; unsupported product-wide or conformance language is removed.

Final client wording: Synthetic training finding: the sampled Visible focus target does not meet the procedure expectation in the recorded state. User impact and broader scope require evidence from the buyer's real execution.

Retest: Synthetic retest example: after the represented change, repeat the failed step plus material error and recovery states. Close the finding only when new evidence demonstrates the expected result; otherwise retain the non-pass outcome.

Boundary: This is a representative, synthetic worked example for training and calibration. It is not evidence from a client product, participant or real assistive-technology execution.

Outcome calibration

Passed
In web-desktop-cross-browser, the selected Visible focus target completes the recorded action and meets this expectation: Focus is always visually distinguishable from unfocused states.

The example is a calibration scenario, not an execution or approval.

Failed
An applicable Visible focus target produces a reproducible barrier during the named action, with the exact state and affected user task recorded.

A failed target remains failed even if another environment or target passes.

Not applicable
The frozen scope contains no function, component or state relevant to Visible focus.

Inapplicable requires a completed inventory showing that no target matches applicability; a missing environment is not inapplicable.

Cannot tell
The Visible focus target is applicable, but conflicting product/platform evidence or missing authoritative information prevents a defensible responsibility or expectation decision.

Record the conflict, comparisons attempted and person or evidence needed to resolve it.

Not tested
The Visible focus target is applicable, but a required state, complete process or real environment was not executed.

Untested remains incomplete and cannot be converted to passed or inapplicable.

Sampling, complete processes and platform limitations

Run each selected critical journey from start to finish, including its main error and recovery paths. Record which journeys and states were included.

If this check is part of a user journey, test the selected journey from start to finish, including relevant errors and recovery. Record any path that was not tested.

  • This keyboard journey does not establish compatibility with every switch device or speech-input system.
  • Check relevant browser, tool or assistive-technology release notes before assigning unexpected behaviour to the product.
  • If responsibility is unclear, record the reproducible behaviour and use cannot tell until it is resolved.
Related procedures
  • A11Y-WCAG-033
ACT rules and WCAG technique traceability

This is a project-authored manual procedure, not a W3C Approved ACT Rule. An ACT result can support only the part of this procedure covered by that rule. It does not replace the remaining manual or assistive-technology checks.

No supporting W3C Approved ACT Rule is selected for this procedure.

  • Understanding SC 2.4.7. Techniques are examples, not extra requirements. Record any technique or common failure used, but decide the result against the success criterion.
Review history and source register
  1. 2026.08.27-rc.9 — Reworked for plain language, case-focused steps, scoped evidence and transparent draft review status.
  2. 2026.08.27-rc.9 — Migrated to professional catalogue schema v3 with separated outcomes, structured authority, applicability, evidence, decision and review records.
  3. 2026.08.27-rc.9 — Specialist procedure mapped to its task family and current first-party platform guidance and checked for internal consistency; competent review and real execution remain separate.
  4. 2026.08.27-rc.9 — Added explicit preparation and variation/recovery steps plus a bounded representative worked example for paid-template use.
  5. 2026.08.27-rc.9 — Procedure guidance and presentation simplified without changing draft governance status.

Review decision: pending. Open issues: Execute all required real environments and calibration cases.; Complete a distinct competent review and retain any unresolved material finding as blocked or cantTell.

Source historyReport an accuracy issue
WCAG
SC 2.4.7
Execution
Manual test with tool support
Catalogue version
2026.08.27-rc.9