Building a keyboard-accessible web application

Question

How do you go about building a complete keyboard-accessible web application? Assuming that this for a controlled deployment environment (for use within an org) where access is restricted (not open to public).

Update: Forgot to mention that this is aimed at improving data entry efficiency and is not disability-related.

Update 2: Would it make sense to use Flash for the entire application? Considering that the environment is browser based and NOT web-based?

Answer 1

Well, first of all, you have to make strong assumptions in order to have a chance to reach your goal:

• You'll have to support only one browser. If not, you're ready for a pain in the ass process as all the browser have different already predefined shortcuts.
• You'll work in a controlled environment. Same as above, with all this plugins, and associated tool that add functionalties to the browser, it becames a nightmare to avoid conflicts.
• You'll make LOTS of User acceptance tests! Finding the right shortcuts is hard, really. It has to be easily reachable on the keyboard, meaningful to be easily reminded by users, and last but not least, avoid that risky shortcuts combo occurs too easily.

If you don't satisfy all this points. Stop and think twice about it before going-on, or you'll hit the wall.