Let visitors leave interactive maps without getting stuck

What to change

Ask the supplier to demonstrate entering and leaving the map using a keyboard, with the practice's contact and arrival information still reachable afterwards.

A worked example

Illustrative example

A visitor checks zoom controls, then moves on to the branch telephone link without repeatedly cycling around map tools or restarting navigation.

Healthcare website design showing connected desktop and mobile service and enquiry layouts. — Make the service and next step clear on every screen.

Healthcare website accessibility illustrated by a focus outline, keyboard key, contrast samples and form. — Review keyboard access, contrast and understandable form fields.

Why this matters to your practice

An interactive map should help someone find your practice without trapping them in its controls. Ask the supplier to show a keyboard journey from the address into the map and onwards to the next useful page action. Keep the written address and practical directions nearby so the map is not the only source of location information. A person looking for parking advice or a telephone number should not have to learn how the mapping component works first.

How to check the result

Accept when both forward and backward exit routes work and the map does not prevent access to practical contact information.

A mistake to avoid

Giving the map an accessible title does not solve a keyboard trap inside the embedded service.

Turn reading into a next step

Your action checklist

Work through these checks with your team or supplier. Tick the ones you have resolved and leave unknowns open.

Checks to discussNavigate to the map using only a keyboard and explore its visible controls. Then continue forward to the next item on the surrounding page.Repeat in reverse using Shift and Tab. Ask the supplier to demonstrate any documented key for leaving the embedded interaction without closing the browser tab.Test at high zoom and with a screen reader (software that reads the page aloud). Confirm the map is labelled clearly so entering its interactive region is understandable.

Your answers and notes

Record what you know, what is still missing and the answer you need from your team or supplier.

What happens next, and who will do it?

Use project decisions only, without personal, patient or confidential details. Entries stay in this page and are not submitted to Kay & Co. Copy or download before leaving; this page does not save your notes.

Related guides

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