Focus Management
Focus management is a web accessibility concept that involves programmatically controlling and tracking the keyboard focus within a user interface, particularly for assistive technologies like screen readers. It ensures that interactive elements (e.g., buttons, links, form fields) receive and maintain focus in a logical, predictable manner, especially during dynamic content updates or modal interactions. This is crucial for creating accessible applications that comply with standards like WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
Developers should learn focus management when building accessible web applications, as it is essential for users who rely on keyboards or assistive technologies to navigate. Use cases include managing focus in single-page applications (SPAs) after route changes, ensuring focus is trapped within modals or dialogs to prevent users from getting lost, and restoring focus to appropriate elements after closing overlays. It improves usability and legal compliance, particularly in regulated industries like government or healthcare.