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# 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts

- Level: A
- Guideline: 2.1 Keyboard Accessible
- Principle: 2 Operable

## What it is

If a keyboard shortcut is implemented in content using only letter (including upper- and lower-case letters), punctuation, number, or symbol characters, then at least one of the following is true:

- **Turn off:** A mechanism is available to turn the shortcut off;
- **Remap:** A mechanism is available to remap the shortcut to include one or more non-printable keyboard keys (e.g., Ctrl, Alt);
- **Active only on focus:** The keyboard shortcut for a user interface component is only active when that component has focus.

## How to test

- Check: A mechanism is available to turn the shortcut off;
- Check: A mechanism is available to remap the shortcut to include one or more non-printable keyboard keys (e.g., Ctrl, Alt);
- Check: The keyboard shortcut for a user interface component is only active when that component has focus.
- Use the sufficient techniques below as acceptable methods when applicable.
- Confirm none of the common failures apply.

## Sufficient techniques (W3C)

- G217: Providing a mechanism to allow users to remap or turn off character key shortcuts

## Common failures (W3C)

- F99: Failure of Success Criterion 2.1.4 due to implementing character key shortcuts that cannot be turned off or remapped

## Resources

- WCAG 2.2 SC: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#character-key-shortcuts
- Understanding: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/character-key-shortcuts.html
- Quick reference: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/quickref/?versions=2.2#character-key-shortcuts

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