Focus On H1: Fix For VA Files Page

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Focus on H1: Fix for VA Files Page

Introduction

Hey everyone! Today, we're diving into a task focused on improving the user experience for our veterans. Specifically, we're addressing a focus management issue on the "Files We Could Not Receive" page within the VA.gov platform. This might sound super technical, but trust me, it's all about making the site more user-friendly, especially for those using assistive technology (AT). Let's break down why this is important and how we're going to tackle it.

Background

The Issue: Focus Management on Page Load

So, what's the big deal? Well, when a user navigates to a new page, like the "Files We Could Not Receive" page, it's crucial that their focus is immediately directed to the main content. For users with assistive technology, such as screen readers, this is even more critical. Without proper focus management, these users might not realize the page has loaded or understand where to begin interacting with the content. Imagine landing on a new page and your screen reader doesn't tell you what's there – frustrating, right? That’s what we’re trying to avoid.

The specific page in question is: https://staging.va.gov/track-claims/your-claims/files-we-couldnt-receive.

During a recent bug bash, it became apparent that the focus wasn't automatically moving to the H1 heading (the main title) of the page, which is "Files we couldn’t receive". This means that when the page loads, the focus isn't immediately set on the title, making it unclear to AT users that they're on a new page. We want to ensure that when the page loads, the focus shifts to the H1 element, and that familiar yellow focus ring appears, just like on other screens within the Claims Status Tool (CST).

Why Focus Management Matters

  • Accessibility: Proper focus management is a core principle of web accessibility. It ensures that users with disabilities can navigate and interact with web content effectively.
  • User Experience: By guiding users to the main content immediately, we create a smoother and more intuitive experience for everyone, not just those using AT.
  • Compliance: Adhering to accessibility standards, like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines), is essential for ensuring our digital services are inclusive and compliant.

The Goal

Our goal is simple: make the "Files We Could Not Receive" page more accessible and user-friendly by ensuring that the focus moves to the H1 heading upon page load. This seemingly small change can make a big difference in the overall experience for our veterans.

Detailed Task Description

The Problem: Missing Focus on H1

Currently, when the "Files We Could Not Receive" page loads, the focus doesn't automatically shift to the H1 heading. This is a problem because:

  • Screen Reader Users: Users relying on screen readers might not immediately know they've landed on a new page or understand the page's context.
  • Keyboard Navigation: Users navigating with a keyboard might have to manually tab through the page to find the main content, which is inefficient and frustrating.
  • Overall Usability: It creates a disjointed experience, making the page feel less responsive and intuitive.

The Solution: Move Focus to H1

The solution is straightforward: implement code that automatically moves the focus to the H1 heading ("Files we couldn’t receive") when the page loads. This ensures that:

  • Screen Reader Users: Screen readers will immediately announce the page title, providing context and orientation.
  • Keyboard Navigation: Users can immediately start interacting with the main content without unnecessary tabbing.
  • Overall Usability: The page feels more responsive and user-friendly, creating a better experience for all users.

Implementation Details

To implement this, we'll likely need to use JavaScript to manipulate the focus. Here’s a general approach:

  1. Identify the H1 Element: Use JavaScript to select the H1 element on the page (e.g., using document.querySelector('h1')).
  2. Set Focus on Page Load: Use the useEffect hook in React (or a similar mechanism in other frameworks) to execute the focus-setting code when the page component mounts.
  3. Call the focus() Method: Call the focus() method on the H1 element to move the focus to it.
  4. Ensure Visibility of Focus Indicator: Make sure the focus indicator (e.g., the yellow focus ring) is clearly visible to users who navigate with a keyboard.

Here’s a code snippet to give you an idea:

import React, { useEffect } from 'react';

function FilesWeCouldNotReceive() {
  useEffect(() => {
    const h1 = document.querySelector('h1');
    if (h1) {
      h1.focus();
    }
  }, []);

  return (
    <h1>Files we couldn’t receive</h1>
    // Other page content
  );
}

export default FilesWeCouldNotReceive;

Example of Ideal Behavior

As a reference, the https://staging.va.gov/track-claims/your-claims page demonstrates the desired behavior. When this page loads, the focus automatically moves to the H1 heading, and the yellow focus ring is visible. We want to replicate this behavior on the "Files We Could Not Receive" page.

Risks and Dependencies

As of now, there are no specific risks or dependencies identified for this task. However, it's always a good practice to:

  • Test Thoroughly: Test the solution with different browsers, devices, and assistive technologies to ensure it works as expected.
  • Consider Edge Cases: Think about any potential edge cases, such as slow network connections or users with JavaScript disabled.
  • Collaborate with Accessibility Experts: Consult with accessibility specialists to ensure the solution meets accessibility standards.

Design Details

There are no specific design details associated with this task. The primary focus is on improving the technical implementation to enhance accessibility.

Accessibility Scope & Details

This task is directly related to accessibility. By ensuring proper focus management, we're making the "Files We Could Not Receive" page more accessible to users with disabilities, particularly those who rely on screen readers and keyboard navigation.

Acceptance Criteria / Definition of Done

To ensure the task is completed successfully, the following acceptance criteria should be met:

  • Focus Moves to H1: When the "Files We Could Not Receive" page loads, the focus automatically moves to the H1 heading ("Files we couldn’t receive").
  • Focus Indicator is Visible: The focus indicator (e.g., the yellow focus ring) is clearly visible when the H1 heading has focus.
  • No Regression Issues: The changes should not introduce any new accessibility issues or negatively impact the user experience in any way.
  • Tested with Assistive Technology: The solution should be tested with screen readers and keyboard navigation to ensure it works as expected.

Links & Resources

Related Epic

There is no related epic for this task.

Estimate

This task is estimated to be small, requiring approximately 1 day to complete.

Conclusion

Alright, folks! That wraps up our task to improve focus management on the "Files We Could Not Receive" page. By implementing this simple fix, we're making a significant impact on the accessibility and usability of the VA.gov platform. Remember, every small improvement contributes to a better experience for our veterans. Let's get this done and keep pushing towards a more inclusive digital environment!