Forum Discussion
Focus order layers - absolutely at the end of my tether
I created my first course, unaware of the difficulties of focus order on layered slides, of which I have many. Followed instructions, spent literally days on this to get nowhere. Is there an in-depth video tutorial on this, before I throw my computer out of the window and quit my job?!
I am not aware of a tutorial.
The key thing is that the user journey is a good one. The treatment of layers is different based on:
- IF the content is modal (displays in front of the content and disables all content below) in this case you can set the layer properties to prevent user from clicking on the base layer) this will ensure when open the layer has focus and no objects below are read.
- IF the content is additive such as a tabbed interaction where the buttons below need to be accessible then move the layer content in the focus order into a logical reading order.
When setting up focus order the first thing I do is remove anything decorative that is not required to understand the slide (e.g. images and icons that the user can ignore) all shapes without text or interactions. I then set alt text for images that are required and alt text for buttons. Finally I get a logical order working.
Perhaps you can upload some of your troublesome slides.
Hey Diane,
I think Phil's suggestions are spot on. If I were to add anything . . . . Even when "the content is additive" we have found it may be helpful to ensure that the base layer is not accessible from the layers and use exit buttons on the layer to allow learners to return to the base upon completion of the layer.
