7.2 Create a logical tab order through links
The New Zealand Web Standards 2.0 were released in March 2009 and replace the previous version, the New Zealand Government Web Standards 1.0 (below). See Meeting the standards for more information.
The Standard
7.2 Create a logical tab order through links, form controls, and objects.
Guide to this standard
Refer to the definition of tab order in the Glossary of Key Concepts.
Tabbing through form controls is possibly the most common navigation method for web site users, so it is important to ensure the tab order follows the visual placement of controls on a web page. For NZ Government agency web sites, the logical order is left to right, top to bottom.
This standard covers the W3C WAI checkpoint 9.4 for NZ government agencies.
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. The tab order is expected to follow the structural order of the web page elements. Not doing so gives a poor user experience from disorientation within the site, and can create confusion for assistive technologies such as screen and Braille readers.
