Skip links (Skip to content)

A short, practical UI accessibility note for games and web UIs. No tracking.

What goes wrong

Many interfaces have a long header: navigation, settings, account links, toolbars, and search. For mouse users, that’s fine. For keyboard users, it can mean dozens of Tab presses before reaching the main content.

Why it matters

• Keyboard users: faster navigation, less fatigue, fewer mistakes.
• Screen readers: quicker access to the “real” content region.
• Game menus & overlays: long UI chrome shouldn’t block reaching the primary controls.

A safe pattern (minimal version)

• Add a “Skip to content” link as the first focusable element on the page.
• Visually hide it by default, but make it visible on :focus.
• Make the main content target focusable (e.g., tabindex="-1") so focus can land there.

<a class="skip" href="#main">Skip to content</a>

<main id="main" tabindex="-1">
  <h1>Main content</h1>
</main>

<style>
.skip{
  position:absolute; left:0.5rem; top:0.5rem;
  transform:translateY(-140%);
}
.skip:focus{ transform:translateY(0); }
</style>