WCAG SC 3.2.3 requires that navigational mechanisms repeated across multiple web pages appear in the same relative order each time they are repeated. This ensures a predictable and consistent experience for users, especially those with disabilities, aiding in quick and efficient navigation.
To provide a consistent layout for navigational components such as logo, navigation items, search box, and social media links across all web pages within a website, ensuring that users can easily locate and use these elements.
Some users adapt to a specific layout of navigational components while browsing a website. When moving between pages, some users can predict the order of navigation items on other pages, enabling them to quickly decide on their next action. Changing the order of navigation items, such as moving the logo to the right end of the header and the search box to the left end, or altering the location of the navigation bar (e.g., from vertical to horizontal), may cause disorientation among users with disabilities.
There are some exceptions to this success criterion. When adding new items or links between items, ensure that the relative order among the original links is preserved.
Consistent Placement: Use the same layout of repetitive navigation blocks across all pages.
Standard Templates: Create one template for each specific navigation component, and use the same template across all pages.
Example: Consistent Placement of Navigation Elements
A website places the search element in different locations on different pages. On one page it could be on the left side, and on others on the right end side.
Explanation:Success criterion 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation fails due to Inconsistent placement of navigation elements which confuses users, particularly those with disabilities, as they cannot predict the location of these elements.
A website has a search element which is consistent across all pages, as it is located only on the right end side.
Explanation:Maintaining a consistent order and placement of navigation search element ensures that users can easily find and use the element, passing success criterion 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation.