413749 - Unable to tab into a Flash/Flex RIA application or set focus in JavaScript.

Status: RESOLVED INCOMPLETE

(Firefox :: General, defect)

Description

[Bill]

User-Agent:       Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 7.0; Windows NT 5.1; .NET CLR 1.0.3705; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; Media Center PC 4.0; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; InfoPath.1)
Build Identifier: Mozilla/5.0 (Windows; U; Windows NT 5.1; en-US; rv:1.8.1.11) Gecko/20071127 Firefox/2.0.0.11

The example URL domonstrates that the tab cycle does not tab to the Flash/Flex application. I have also tried to set focus in JavaScript but that didn't work either.

This means that I can't use a Flash application without using the mouse.


Reproducible: Always

Steps to Reproduce:
1. Goto http://flex.org/showcase/
2. Press the tab key until it skips the Flex Showcase application
3. Or use flashObj.focus() in JavaScript.
Actual Results:  
Does not give the Flash/Flex application focus.

Expected Results:  
Give focus to the Flash/Flex application.

I have found no work-around for this bug.

Comment 1

[Martin Kliehm]

I can confirm this bug. Tabbing on the Flex showcase page runs in circles, but the Flash object never gains focus. Same on other Flash sites, for example http://www.pfizer.de/produkte/beipackzettel/beipackzettel.htm - that page is fully keyboard accessible once a user mouse-clicked into the object, but it is impossible to tab into the Flash object.

This is a severe accessibility issue as it prevents people who cannot use a mouse to access any Flash content.

According to Yahoo employees wmode="transparent" might also prevent a Flash object from getting focus (like on http://video.yahoo.com), but both examples above do not have this param set.

Comment 2

[Martin Kliehm]

I just saw that the original reporter used Firefox 2. But the issue is still around in Firefox 3.0.4 (Gecko/2008102920).

Comment 3

[zebulon303]

I have seen comments ( http://www.igorcosta.org/?p=179)  stating the problem exists for Chrome and Opera, which indicate it could be a webkit issue ...

Comment 4

[Tyler Downer [He/Him]]

This bug was originally reported on Firefox 2.x or older, which is no longer supported and will not be receiving any more updates. I strongly suggest that you update to Firefox 3.6.6 or later, update your plugins (flash, adobe, etc.), and retest in a new profile. If you still see the issue with the updated Firefox, please post here. Otherwise, please close as RESOLVED > WORKSFORME
http://www.mozilla.com
http://support.mozilla.com/kb/Managing+profiles
http://support.mozilla.com/kb/Safe+mode

Comment 5

[Tyler Downer [He/Him]]

No reply, INCOMPLETE. Please retest with Firefox 3.6.8 or later and a new profile (http://support.mozilla.com/kb/Managing+profiles). If you continue to see this issue with the newest firefox and a new profile, then please comment on this bug.

Comment 6

[Jamie Knight]

Hiya,

This bug is present in the latest version of firefox (7.0.1) the issue can be seen on the following page:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15769886

Its not possible to tab to the flash content on the page. I'm not sure what to do form here? should i raise a new bug?