Welcome
OpenKeyNav is an open-source JavaScript library that adds on-demand keyboard operation and navigation modes to websites and web apps.
Why OpenKeyNav?
People use keyboard interfaces through physical keyboards, switches, voice input, screen readers, and other assistive technologies. Web teams need repeatable ways to provide direct keyboard action, navigation, and movement across the experiences they build.
OpenKeyNav provides that shared interaction layer:
- Click Mode labels detected targets for direct focus or activation.
- Move Mode maps application-defined sources and destinations to a keyboard workflow.
- Navigation commands create direct routes through headings, scrollable regions, and page structure.
- Configurable commands give applications one place to manage activation, interaction, movement, and exit keys.
- Focused diagnostics identify actions for manual review of semantics, focus, activation, and task completion.
Keyboard accessibility standards
WCAG 2.1.1 requires all functionality to be operable through a keyboard interface. OpenKeyNav provides reusable keyboard paths for detected targets and configured workflows. Teams verify those paths across each required action, state change, and outcome in the complete task.
The ADA Title II keyboard accessibility guide connects this implementation work to the federal WCAG 2.1 Level AA timeline for state and local governments.
Getting started
Follow the Quick Start Guide to install OpenKeyNav, exercise Click Mode, verify detected actions, and configure specialized workflows.
Research and development
OpenKeyNav grows through implementation work, accessibility research, adopter feedback, and evaluation with disabled users. Share implementation questions, reproducible issues, and documentation feedback through the OpenKeyNav GitHub repository.
The OpenKeyNav Team