I might be overthinking this, but when working with a slides Focus Order -- after opening the pop-up window, is the first item presented via a screen reader at the top or the bottom of this listed focus order?
In my example, what is the learner presented first - 'my title' or 'Sports car racing down a highway'?
Thanks for reaching out and sharing your question about the focus order.
The focus order that you define for each slide in Storyline 360 controls the reading order for screen readers as well as the tab order for interactive elements, such as buttons, hotspots, and data-entry fields. In your example, it would be My Title.
I have a similar question. I have a slide with layers. In the Focus order list, the base layer objects are at the bottom of the list. If it's read from top to bottom (as you might expect), why are the base layer objects at the bottom, as these should be read out first. I know I can move them by creating a custom focus order, but that creates a lot of unnecessary work for any slides with layers. Or am I missing something here?
To help us explore further, could you share a sample slide or two with us via our private case link? It'll help us understand the project's design, and we can troubleshoot it with you to help make sure that the course is accessible.
@Katie I think Dayn is asking why do layer objects default to the top of the focus order, as they will more than likely be out of order.
@Dayn wherever the layers appear on the focus order is going to be in the wrong place as layers are normally shown by an object and the layer content will need to be moved, it would be nice to have an intuitive solution that places them after the object with the show layer trigger
@Phil. Yes - that would be ideal. But for example, I have a slide with 6 layers, each with numerous objects. I have a preference for the order in which layers are read out by screen readers, that would make sense to learners. So I can easily change the layer order for the slide to change the Focus order (the layers get listed in order from top to bottom) and this is much quicker than changing the Focus order for each layer object.
However the base layer objects would almost always need to be read first, but they are at the bottom of the Focus order. This just seems wrong. @Katie - I know I can create a Custom Focus Order and move them to the top, but when you have a slide with lots of layers, each with lots of objects, this creates a very long Focus Order list and it takes ages to drag the base layer objects one-at-a-time to the top. Surely, they should be at the top by default?
This would be less of an issue, if we could multiple select objects and move them in the Focus Order list. I could then block select all the Base Layer objects and drag them to the top.
@Katie - I will upload a sample slide via the link.
Yes - Georvy has been helping with this, but there is an issue with Storyline that I think others should be aware of...
Base layer objects will appear at the bottom of the Focus Order list, on a slide with layers, unless the Custom Focus order option is selected before a slide is built. I would expect most developers to fine-tune the Focus Order after a slide has been built. They are unlikely to remember to choose the Custom Focus order option beforehand. So in order to move the base layer objects to the top of the Focus order list (to be read first by screen readers), they would need to drag each item individually to the top in the list (very time consuming on slides with multiple layers), or rebuild the slide.
It would save us a lot of time if base layer objects were at the top of the Focus Order list by default, followed by Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3 etc (from bottom to top in the Slide Layers panel). At the moment, the Focus Order is generated the other way round, i.e. Layer 3, Layer 2, Layer 1, Base layer. This is counterproductive and could also have the effect of making Storyline content generally less accessible since I imagine that in many cases, the Focus Order won't be adjusted.
@Dayn I typed this in my last reply and deleted it, I thought it would be more logical to appear below as it would as you say ensure the focus order is more logical, and then thought for a lot of users by appearing at the top it may remind them to move the objects into the correct space.
The focus Order should be more flexible and allow you to drag and drop more than one item but also allow you to select and then click an object and choose insert below or above.
I think there is still a lot that can be done intuitively by Articulate here to reduce our workload on Accessibility. Slide masters are a real pain, I can place the items in order on the master but still have to do it on each slide.
I am sure this will improve as Accessibility is something Articulate are always working on, look at where we are now to the same time last year.
I've submitted a feature request to change the default focus order to show base layer objects at the top and also to enable multiple objects to be selected and moved in the list. Would be great if others could do the same to bump this up the dev list.
I have the same issues as you have noted above. I need to follow strict accessibility guidelines and I can lose a whole day on a large course just sorting out the focus order! I have submitted a feature request also.
I agree with the comments here. As I go back to review the focus order of each slide in a course that I just created, I am finding that the default order is the reverse of what I would expect it to be (i.e., the objects on secondary layers are placed above objects on the base layer). So, it will take a lot of time to customize each one by manually moving the items up and down in the focus order list. I will submit an additional feature request as mentioned above to help boost this to developers.
Thank you everyone for sharing! Good to know, I am not the only one who has spent hours creating custom focus orders. Here's hoping we soon see the ability to select multiple objects and move them together...
I totally agree with all that's said here, and I'd like to share my current difficulty which is a slide with 7 layers, three of which have tables in. Managing every cell of each table as an individual item is highly problematic - multi select would make this infinitely easier.
I appreciate you taking the time to share this with us! I've shared your comments with my team. From here, we will continue tracking this request. To help you plan, the option to multi-select items in the Focus Order is not currently on our feature roadmap, so it's likely that this feature won't ship in an upcoming release. I'll make sure to advocate on your behalf and update you in this discussion!
Is there more information somewhere on layers and focus order? It used to be that the way I ordered things in the tab order, items would come into focus only if I was on that layer. Now it seems like no matter what layer I'm on, if I keep tabbing, I'll see every interactive object on every layer highlighted. Are layers just not compatible with keyboard accessibility anymore, or am I missing something?
Also, I LOVE that Articulate has heard users and is working so hard to make Storyline so much more accessible, and many of the instructions are really helpful. However, I'm finding that it's really easy to get lost in a seemingly endless rabbit hole of pages talking about 508 features. Even one that seems to be a central hub of information does not link to the April 2021 updates. So while I'm thankful for all of the information, it would be really helpful to have one place to go with all the info outlined/linked to.
And finally, Rise has a really helpful page with keyboard navigation instructions for users. It would be great if there was a similar page for Storyline where all of the instructions could be laid out (how to navigate, how to go through button sets, etc.).
I'm happy to help! This is a quick fix. In the Slide Properties for the layers, make sure to check the box for Prevent User from Clicking on the Base Layer. This makes sure only the objects on the layer can be navigated to.
Here are a few accessibility resources that you'll want to bookmark:
I'll add my name to those above who would like to see the focus order always start with the base.
It also seems that each layer should have its own focus order. In other words, until the user activates whatever trigger shows a layer, they shouldn't be able to access anything on that layer.
For example, what happens with interactions that have different paths through different layers? There wouldn't be just one perfect focus order. So, no matter how that one order was set, it would be very confusing for someone to follow what's happening.
I suppose for some instances when layers are shown automatically, it might make sense to have layer objects part of the overall focus order. Thus, ideally, we should first be able to indicate whether we want one focus order per slide or one focus order per layer.
I agree with Judy. Having a separate focus order per layer would solve a lot of problems when working with multiple layers. It was a revelation to me to know that preventing a user from clicking on the base layer prevented users from tabbing through items on on the base layer.
Also came to research this issue. You would think Articulate would be intuitive enough to to know that the base layer items should appear before layer items, in the default focus order. It seems to go in the EXACT OPPOSITE order you would want a screen reader to view them. Also, to have to move one item at a time on a slide with well over 50 items is maddening. Hours and hours have been lost for what seems like a simple 'feature.'
Still struggling with this exact issue. It's been over a year just on this discussion thread so hoping a fix is coming soon to the default focus order. Should be what's read first (base layer) at the top, Then the active layer. At least making that default would save SOME time. Also being able to batch move orders rather than having to drag one by one.
I know adding layers and then changing layer order, or having a slide where the user can click into any layer in any order gets confusing quickly for focus order -- that's a whole other issue! (how do you get a user-directed focus order based on what layer is currently activated? That's where the focus order by layer functionality is needed!)
For layers if you use buttons to load the layers the the content for the layers should come after the buttons in the focus order.
If the layers are modal then set the layer properties so the base layer cannot be clicked and you will not need to change the position in the focus order as the layer automatically grabs focus
29 Replies
Hi Stew and welcome to E-Learning Heroes 😊
Thanks for reaching out and sharing your question about the focus order.
The focus order that you define for each slide in Storyline 360 controls the reading order for screen readers as well as the tab order for interactive elements, such as buttons, hotspots, and data-entry fields. In your example, it would be My Title.
Here's some additional information:
Slide Content Is More Accessible
Hi Leslie.
I have a similar question. I have a slide with layers. In the Focus order list, the base layer objects are at the bottom of the list. If it's read from top to bottom (as you might expect), why are the base layer objects at the bottom, as these should be read out first. I know I can move them by creating a custom focus order, but that creates a lot of unnecessary work for any slides with layers. Or am I missing something here?
Hello, Dayn. Thanks for writing in!
Objects on layers will appear at the top of the default Focus Order list, but you could always create a custom order as you share.
Here's how the new navigation works:
To help us explore further, could you share a sample slide or two with us via our private case link? It'll help us understand the project's design, and we can troubleshoot it with you to help make sure that the course is accessible.
@Katie I think Dayn is asking why do layer objects default to the top of the focus order, as they will more than likely be out of order.
@Dayn wherever the layers appear on the focus order is going to be in the wrong place as layers are normally shown by an object and the layer content will need to be moved, it would be nice to have an intuitive solution that places them after the object with the show layer trigger
Thanks for your replies
@Phil. Yes - that would be ideal. But for example, I have a slide with 6 layers, each with numerous objects. I have a preference for the order in which layers are read out by screen readers, that would make sense to learners. So I can easily change the layer order for the slide to change the Focus order (the layers get listed in order from top to bottom) and this is much quicker than changing the Focus order for each layer object.
However the base layer objects would almost always need to be read first, but they are at the bottom of the Focus order. This just seems wrong. @Katie - I know I can create a Custom Focus Order and move them to the top, but when you have a slide with lots of layers, each with lots of objects, this creates a very long Focus Order list and it takes ages to drag the base layer objects one-at-a-time to the top. Surely, they should be at the top by default?
This would be less of an issue, if we could multiple select objects and move them in the Focus Order list. I could then block select all the Base Layer objects and drag them to the top.
@Katie - I will upload a sample slide via the link.
Greetings Dayn!
Thank you for sharing your file with us! I see that my teammate Georvy is assisting you in a support case. We'll continue the conversation there.
Hi Lauren
Yes - Georvy has been helping with this, but there is an issue with Storyline that I think others should be aware of...
Base layer objects will appear at the bottom of the Focus Order list, on a slide with layers, unless the Custom Focus order option is selected before a slide is built. I would expect most developers to fine-tune the Focus Order after a slide has been built. They are unlikely to remember to choose the Custom Focus order option beforehand. So in order to move the base layer objects to the top of the Focus order list (to be read first by screen readers), they would need to drag each item individually to the top in the list (very time consuming on slides with multiple layers), or rebuild the slide.
It would save us a lot of time if base layer objects were at the top of the Focus Order list by default, followed by Layer 1, Layer 2, Layer 3 etc (from bottom to top in the Slide Layers panel). At the moment, the Focus Order is generated the other way round, i.e. Layer 3, Layer 2, Layer 1, Base layer. This is counterproductive and could also have the effect of making Storyline content generally less accessible since I imagine that in many cases, the Focus Order won't be adjusted.
@Dayn I typed this in my last reply and deleted it, I thought it would be more logical to appear below as it would as you say ensure the focus order is more logical, and then thought for a lot of users by appearing at the top it may remind them to move the objects into the correct space.
The focus Order should be more flexible and allow you to drag and drop more than one item but also allow you to select and then click an object and choose insert below or above.
I think there is still a lot that can be done intuitively by Articulate here to reduce our workload on Accessibility. Slide masters are a real pain, I can place the items in order on the master but still have to do it on each slide.
I am sure this will improve as Accessibility is something Articulate are always working on, look at where we are now to the same time last year.
Hi Phil. I agree. Just being able to multiple select objects and move them together would save a ton of time.
I've submitted a feature request to change the default focus order to show base layer objects at the top and also to enable multiple objects to be selected and moved in the list. Would be great if others could do the same to bump this up the dev list.
I have the same issues as you have noted above. I need to follow strict accessibility guidelines and I can lose a whole day on a large course just sorting out the focus order! I have submitted a feature request also.
I agree with the comments here. As I go back to review the focus order of each slide in a course that I just created, I am finding that the default order is the reverse of what I would expect it to be (i.e., the objects on secondary layers are placed above objects on the base layer). So, it will take a lot of time to customize each one by manually moving the items up and down in the focus order list. I will submit an additional feature request as mentioned above to help boost this to developers.
Thank you.
Hi there, Domenick!
Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts, especially those related to accessibility needs.
That would certainly make editing easier, so I'll share this with the right team and notify you of any news.
Thank you everyone for sharing! Good to know, I am not the only one who has spent hours creating custom focus orders. Here's hoping we soon see the ability to select multiple objects and move them together...
I totally agree with all that's said here, and I'd like to share my current difficulty which is a slide with 7 layers, three of which have tables in. Managing every cell of each table as an individual item is highly problematic - multi select would make this infinitely easier.
Hello Alicia!
I appreciate you taking the time to share this with us! I've shared your comments with my team. From here, we will continue tracking this request. To help you plan, the option to multi-select items in the Focus Order is not currently on our feature roadmap, so it's likely that this feature won't ship in an upcoming release. I'll make sure to advocate on your behalf and update you in this discussion!
Here's how we Manage Feature Requests!
Is there more information somewhere on layers and focus order? It used to be that the way I ordered things in the tab order, items would come into focus only if I was on that layer. Now it seems like no matter what layer I'm on, if I keep tabbing, I'll see every interactive object on every layer highlighted. Are layers just not compatible with keyboard accessibility anymore, or am I missing something?
Also, I LOVE that Articulate has heard users and is working so hard to make Storyline so much more accessible, and many of the instructions are really helpful. However, I'm finding that it's really easy to get lost in a seemingly endless rabbit hole of pages talking about 508 features. Even one that seems to be a central hub of information does not link to the April 2021 updates. So while I'm thankful for all of the information, it would be really helpful to have one place to go with all the info outlined/linked to.
And finally, Rise has a really helpful page with keyboard navigation instructions for users. It would be great if there was a similar page for Storyline where all of the instructions could be laid out (how to navigate, how to go through button sets, etc.).
Hello Kristin!
I'm happy to help! This is a quick fix. In the Slide Properties for the layers, make sure to check the box for Prevent User from Clicking on the Base Layer. This makes sure only the objects on the layer can be navigated to.
Here are a few accessibility resources that you'll want to bookmark:
I'll add my name to those above who would like to see the focus order always start with the base.
It also seems that each layer should have its own focus order. In other words, until the user activates whatever trigger shows a layer, they shouldn't be able to access anything on that layer.
I suppose for some instances when layers are shown automatically, it might make sense to have layer objects part of the overall focus order. Thus, ideally, we should first be able to indicate whether we want one focus order per slide or one focus order per layer.
I agree with Judy. Having a separate focus order per layer would solve a lot of problems when working with multiple layers. It was a revelation to me to know that preventing a user from clicking on the base layer prevented users from tabbing through items on on the base layer.
Also came to research this issue. You would think Articulate would be intuitive enough to to know that the base layer items should appear before layer items, in the default focus order. It seems to go in the EXACT OPPOSITE order you would want a screen reader to view them. Also, to have to move one item at a time on a slide with well over 50 items is maddening. Hours and hours have been lost for what seems like a simple 'feature.'
Still struggling with this exact issue. It's been over a year just on this discussion thread so hoping a fix is coming soon to the default focus order. Should be what's read first (base layer) at the top, Then the active layer. At least making that default would save SOME time. Also being able to batch move orders rather than having to drag one by one.
I know adding layers and then changing layer order, or having a slide where the user can click into any layer in any order gets confusing quickly for focus order -- that's a whole other issue! (how do you get a user-directed focus order based on what layer is currently activated? That's where the focus order by layer functionality is needed!)
For layers if you use buttons to load the layers the the content for the layers should come after the buttons in the focus order.
If the layers are modal then set the layer properties so the base layer cannot be clicked and you will not need to change the position in the focus order as the layer automatically grabs focus
Sent from my iPhone
Hi, everyone.
I have great news to share!
We just released another update for Storyline 360. In Update 63, we’ve included important fixes, new features, and enhancements.
One of the enhancements we’ve included is:
Customize the accessibility focus order faster. Select multiple objects, then move or remove them all at once.
For additional information, check out this article!
To take advantage of this update, launch the Articulate 360 desktop app on your computer and click the Update button next to Storyline 360. You'll find our step-by-step instructions here.
Please let us know if you have any questions by reaching out to our Support Engineers directly.
This is great to hear.