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name: focus-not-obscured description: "Use when reviewing sticky navigation, consent banners, chat widgets, skip links, or any fixed-position UI. Validate the actual tab order and viewport behavior at realistic zoom levels." metadata: category: accessibility priority: high difficulty: intermediate estimatedTime: "20" source: frontendchecklist.io url: https://frontendchecklist.io/rules/accessibility/focus-not-obscured

Keep focused elements unobscured

A visible focus ring is not enough if the focused element sits behind a sticky header or footer. Keyboard users need to see the actual focused control and the focus indicator at the same time in order to continue the task.

Quick Reference

• Sticky UI must not cover the focused control while keyboard users tab through the page
• Use scroll-padding or equivalent spacing when fixed headers or footers are present
• Test with cookie banners, chat widgets, and consent bars open
• Re-test at zoomed and mobile layouts where overlap problems usually appear

Check

Audit keyboard focus with all sticky UI active. Check headers, footers, cookie banners, promo bars, and chat launchers for cases where the focused element scrolls underneath them.

Fix

Add layout spacing such as scroll-padding, reduce overlay height, or change focus/scroll behavior so the focused element remains visible when tabbing.

Explain

Explain WCAG Focus Not Obscured, why fixed-position UI commonly breaks it, and how scroll-padding and overlay layout choices prevent the issue.

Code Review

Review sticky layout, focus styles, overlays, and keyboard navigation related to Keep focused elements unobscured. Flag exact selectors, breakpoints, or UI states where focused controls can be covered.

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For full implementation details, code examples, and framework-specific guidance, see references/rule.md.

Rule page: https://frontendchecklist.io/rules/accessibility/focus-not-obscured