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When selecting a user interface component with the keyboard, the focus indicator must 
not be completely obscured by anything in front of it.

## Why this matters

When using a keyboard, it is important that the user can see where they are on the page.
If the focus indicator is obscured, the user may not know where they are, and may not
be able to interact with the page.

## Examples

Most common examples include:

* Banners at the top or bottom of the page, such as cookie banners
* Fixed navigation bars
* Fixed footers
* Popup modals, such as cookie consent modals

## How to fix

With elements that cover part of the screen, such as cookie banners, ensure
that the user can scroll to see any content behind the banner, without having to close
the banner.

With popup modals, it should usually be impossible to focus anything behind the modal.
Most common modal frameworks will automatically trap focus within the modal, so that
this is impossible. Example: [Bootstrap Modal](https://getbootstrap.com/docs/5.2/components/modal/#live-demo).

## Further reading

This is part of the draft WCAG 2.2 specification and is subject to change.

* [WCAG 2.4.12](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/focus-not-obscured.html)

ensure-focus-is-not-obscured-minimum

July 2025

June 2025

Heidelberg University

	Title / URL	Issues
	Directory \| Heidelberg Universitywww.heidelberg.edu/directory	96
	Programs of Study \| Heidelberg Universitywww.heidelberg.edu/academics/programs	86
	News \| Heidelberg Universitywww.heidelberg.edu/news	84
	Blog \| Heidelberg Universitywww.heidelberg.edu/blog	71
	Events \| Heidelberg Universitywww.heidelberg.edu/events	53
	Offices \| Heidelberg Universitywww.heidelberg.edu/offices	50
	Parents \| Heidelberg Universitywww.heidelberg.edu/about/parents	35
	Apply Now \| Heidelberg Universitywww.heidelberg.edu/apply-now	34
	Athletics \| Heidelberg Universitywww.heidelberg.edu/offices/athletics	32
	Fast Facts \| Heidelberg Universitywww.heidelberg.edu/about/fast-facts	32

Ensure focus is not fully obscured

Heidelberg University

Where this issue has occurred