Avoid server-side image maps

WCAG 2.1.1
Keyboard

Accessibility isn’t only about avoiding violations — it’s about ensuring your product can be used confidently by everyone. This guide explains the principle of this rule, shows what goes wrong in real-world code, and provides a verified fix that meets WCAG and the European Accessibility Act (EAA).

Why this matters and how to fix it

Why this matters

Keyboard‑only users must be able to reach and operate all content, including iframes and scrollable regions.

How to fix this issue

Keep iframes in the tab order when they contain focusable content; add descriptive `title`. Make scrollable regions focusable with `tabindex="0"` and ensure keyboard scrolling works.

Automated detection · Manual review recommended

Developer guidance

Ship a ScrollArea/Iframe component with correct focus management. Add jest-axe tests for keyboard reachability.


Code examples

Incorrect Implementation

<img ismap src="/map.png">

Correct Implementation

<img src="/map.png" usemap="#m"><map name="m"><area href="/store" alt="Store"></map>
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