1799714 - Message header can have unlimited number of tab stops in recipient fields (To, CC, Bcc), which may seriously impede keyboard navigation (should follow ARIA grid pattern standards)

Status: NEW

(Thunderbird :: Message Reader UI, defect)

Description

[Thomas D. (:thomas8)]

Coming from Bug 458635, I'm very happy to see that in TB 102, keyboard access to the message header in message reader has been much improved - thanks to Alex and UX devs!

• As I suggested 13 years ago in my Bug 458635 Comment 6, we have reduced the number of tab stops in the recipient fields from 2 per recipient (name and star) to 1 per recipient, so for a message with 50 recipients, that's 25 tab stops less - awesome!
• As I suggested 14 years ago in my Bug 470659, pressing Enter on a focused recipient item finally does something useful (currently opens the context menu).

That said, eventually we may still want to improve the Tab navigation UX/accessibility of the area.

STR

• As a keyboard access dependent user (e.g. blind person with screen reader), read a message with 50, 100, or more recipients.
• Use Tab with an intention of navigating through message header, e.g. to reach Subject for copying.

Actual result

• Need to press Tab 50, 100 or more times to navigate past the recipients list and reach subject.
• Iow, keyboard navigation via tab (e.g. to the subject field) may still be seriously impeded because the number of tab stops equals the number of recipients, which may be a lot.

Expected result

• Don't include tab stops for a large/unlimited number of similar, grouped elements in the page tab sequence.
• Follow the applicable pattern of ARIA Authoring Practices Guide (APG) for grids:
  • Within the page tab sequence: Single tab stop on only one element inside the grid (each first To/CC/BCC recipient)
  • Navigate the focusable elements inside the grid (all other recipients) using directional navigation keys such as arrow keys, Home, and End.