What this criterion requires
A mechanism must exist to skip blocks repeated across pages - typically a "skip to main content" link before the navigation.
Who it helps
Keyboard users, who otherwise tab through the whole menu on every page; screen reader users get extra value from landmarks.
Example: fails vs passes
Every page starts with 40 tab stops of navigation before the content.
<a class="skip-link" href="#main">Skip to main content</a>
<!-- first focusable element, visible on focus -->One skip link plus proper landmarks (header/nav/main/footer) satisfies this.
How to meet and fix it
- Add a skip link as the first focusable element, visible on focus
- Use proper landmarks (header, nav, main, footer) and headings as a complementary structure
Common failures auditors find
- No skip link and no main landmark, forcing dozens of Tab presses per page
Automated scanning catches a share of these instantly - run a free check - and a manual audit covers the judgement calls a tool cannot make.
Sources
- W3C, Understanding 2.4.1: Bypass Blocks - w3.org/WAI
- W3C, How to Meet 2.4.1 (quick reference) - w3.org/WAI/quickref
Last updated . Reviewed by the EqualWeb accessibility team.
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