Focus management is a crucial aspect of web accessibility that is often overlooked by many web developers. It refers to the way in which a website handles and controls the user’s focus when navigating through the website using a keyboard or other assistive technologies.

Proper focus management ensures that users can navigate a website easily and efficiently, especially for users with disabilities. For example, keyboard-only users rely on proper focus management to navigate a website efficiently, as they cannot use a mouse to click on different elements. Additionally, users who rely on screen readers can also benefit from proper focus management, as they use the Tab key to navigate through the website.

There are several best practices to follow when managing focus on a website. First, it is important to ensure that focus is visible and clear. This can be done by changing the color, size, or style of the focused element, so users can easily identify where their focus is.

Second, focus should be sequential and logical. This means that when a user presses the Tab key, the focus should move to the next logical element on the page. The order in which elements receive focus should also make sense and follow a natural reading order.

Third, focus should be consistent throughout the website. This means that the behavior of focus should be the same across all pages, so users can easily predict how the website will behave.

Finally, focus should be managed dynamically. This means that focus should be managed in real-time based on user interaction, such as when a user opens a dropdown menu or clicks on a button.

In conclusion, proper focus management is an essential aspect of web accessibility that can greatly benefit users with disabilities. By following best practices for focus management, web developers can ensure that their websites are easy to navigate and use for all users.