Websites & patient experience · Website help · Screen reader structure

Hide inactive layout copies from assistive navigation

Some websites include separate desktop and mobile copies of navigation or content. A visually hidden copy may remain available to screen readers or keyboard users, creating repeated choices.

What to change

Require only the currently relevant version of duplicated interface content to be available for reading and interaction.

A worked example

Illustrative example

The mobile menu appears once in the available controls, while an inactive desktop navigation copy contributes no second set of identical links.

How to check the result

Accept when responsive variants expose one coherent interface at each size and resizing preserves a usable navigation position.

A mistake to avoid

Making a duplicate transparent or placing it offscreen does not necessarily remove it from keyboard or assistive navigation.

Your action checklist

Use these checks to prepare a discussion with your team or supplier. Tick a check when you have recorded the decision or evidence, rather than when a feature has simply been promised.

Decisions to record

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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.
Healthcare website testing with desktop and mobile forms, a checklist and success and error states.
Check complete journeys and explain failures clearly.

Further reading

These primary sources provide additional context for the project decisions above.

Related decisions

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