#NoMouse Challenge 2024
NoMouse Challenge – February 12 – 18, 2024
Click to enter the #NoMouse Challenge now!
What is the #NoMouse Challenge?
The #NoMouse Challenge promotes awareness around accessible web design, encouraging everyone to explore the keyboard accessibility of websites they frequent by navigating without using a mouse or trackpad.
Wake Forest joins this global challenge and encourages all faculty, staff, and students to take 10 minutes out of their day from February 12th to the 18th to participate.
To receive info on this and future events, please visit the Technology Accessibility Google Group, click “Ask to join group,” and submit your request.
What is Technology Accessibility?
The ongoing work of technology or digital accessibility strives to give all users, including those with disabilities, great and accessible experiences when using digital tools. Websites that support equitable navigation using a keyboard have an important component of good web accessibility in place.
Our #NoMouse Challenge encourages all users to test keyboard navigation of websites they frequent, such as favorite retailers, media sites, and others.
Join the Challenge!
Come to our in-person event
Join us from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Wednesday 2/14, in the Tribble Courtyard for our in-person NoMouse competition! Compete with others to see who can perform specific navigation actions the fastest. Win a challenge and spin the wheel for additional prizes or be entered into a drawing to win the grand prize, a $50 Target gift card.
Virtual event
Can’t be there in person? You can also join the #NoMouse Challenge virtually!
- February 12th-18th: Explore keyboard accessibility and win prizes! Choose your favorite or most frequented websites, or your own site, and try to navigate them using only your keyboard. No mouse, no trackpad. Reflect on your experiences via our NoMouse Google Form. You can submit the form up to 3 times for 9 entries for a chance to win up to a $50 gift card and fun swag!
- Thursday, February 15 from 9:30-10:30 am: Set aside your mouse and bring your coffee! Join the Valentine’s Day #NoMouse Challenge Zoom Coffee Chat for demos and opportunities to share your experiences.
What are keyboard accessibility and assistive technology?
- Web Accessibility Perspectives: Keyboard Compatibility (W3C) (1 minute)
- Assistive Technology (MSFTEnable) (2 minutes)
How do I navigate with my keyboard?
- Introduction to Keyboard Navigation (From Information Systems) (4 minutes)
- Navigating Chrome on Windows by Keyboard: Browsing and Help (from Google) (4 minutes)
- Navigating Chrome on Mac by Keyboard: Full Keyboard Access & Browsing (from Google) (4 minutes)
Want to learn even more?
- Screen Reader Demo for Digital Accessibility w/ reference to keyboard navigation (UCSF) (5 minutes)
- Assistive Technology Video: Switches (The ALS Association Evergreen Chapter) (3 minutes)
- Mobility Aids: Living with Disability (AMI: Accessible Media Inc.) (2.5 minutes)
- Introduction to Web Accessibility (W3C)
- We’ll review your content for accessibility! This is free to you and can help make your content more accessible to a broader audience! (Email tap@wfu.edu)
Helpful hints
If this is your first time navigating with only a keyboard, here are some tips to consider.
What to expect when navigating with a keyboard
- Using a keyboard should allow you to navigate to interactive elements, like links, text entry or form fields, or buttons.
- When using the tab key to access an interactive element, you should be able to activate it or enter text, as applicable.
- When you have navigated to an element with your keyboard, there should be a visual indicator, like a highlight or color change, to show what is currently in focus.
Keyboard shortcuts
- “CTRL + End/⌘ + down arrow” will take you to the bottom of the page
- “CTRL + Home/⌘ + up arrow” will take you to the top of the page
- “CTRL/⌘ + L” will put you directly into the web address bar
- “Enter” will activate buttons and links, if applicable
- “Escape” will exit your current selection/screen, if applicable
- “Spacebar” will select and unselect multiple choice and checkbox options
- “Tab” will move you forward to the next link/button/section
- “Shift+Tab” will reverse “Tab,” or move backwards
Mac Keyboard Shortcuts
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts
Note: the function of these may vary depending on user settings and web design!
Shortcuts for Digital Meeting spaces
Did you know that you can do a lot with keyboard shortcuts in Zoom and Google Meet? Try them out in your next virtual class or meeting!
NoMouse Challenge 2024 Made Possible By:
Student Technology Advisory Committee
STAC chair: Kayla James
Accessible Content Working Group
- Gregory Brunick
- Norah Elmagraby
- Brianna Healey
- Davita DesRoches
- Kevin Gilbertson
- Suzanne Hawks
- Jonathan Milam
- Amy Mohan
- Matt Nelkin
- Jeff Nichols
- Madi Shaver
- Don Shegog
- Michael Shuman
- Eudora Struble
- Robert Vidrine
- Lloyd Whitehead
IS Technology Accessibility Team
Jonathan Milam and Eudora Struble
Special thanks to Emily Gregg, IS Digital Media Specialist, for her graphic design expertise.
NoMouse and resources are adapted from NoMouse.org, a project of The DO-IT Center at the University of Washington, and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Questions? Email tap@wfu.edu