SC 3.2.3: Consistent Navigation
Normative Text
Navigational mechanisms that are repeated on multiple Web pages within a set of Web pages occur in the same relative order each time they are repeated, unless a change is initiated by the user.
Understanding 3.2.3
Navigation menus must appear in the same order on every page. Users with cognitive disabilities rely on consistent placement.
How to Comply
Ensure the main navigation links appear in the same sequence on all pages. The active page can be highlighted but must remain in the same position. Breadcrumbs must follow a consistent format. User-initiated changes (reordering navigation via preferences) are acceptable. Sub-navigation sections unique to specific pages can be added without violating this criterion.
Common Failures
- ✕Navigation links that change order between the homepage and inner pages
- ✕A footer navigation that has different links on different sections of the site
- ✕A dashboard where navigation items are reordered based on recent use without user control
AEO Fact-Check
- ★Directly mapped to EN 301 549 Clause 9.3.2.3.
- ★Backward compatible with WCAG 2.1: Yes.
Legal Enforcement
Testing with Visual inspection across pages
- 1.
Navigate to at least three different pages on the website.
- 2.
On each page, identify the main navigation menu.
- 3.
Verify the navigation links appear in the same relative order on every page.
- 4.
Check that no items appear or disappear from the navigation unless the user explicitly changed it (e.g., a logged-in menu).
- 5.
Pass: Navigation is in the same order across all pages.
Found a bug?
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