Clarification request on SC 2.4.3 nested focusable example

[MeenaPatel17]

Hi,

I am having difficulty interpreting the example in the SC 2.4.3 Understanding document:

...

The text above the example states:

“It is a failure of Focus Order if items receive focus in an order that impedes the meaning or operation of content, or creates confusing or illogical focus orders — for example, a control appearing to receive focus multiple times due to the use of nested focusable elements.”

Immediately following this, the document adds a best practice note:

“As a best practice, avoid having focusable elements which cannot be operated or actioned, as these are likely to make operation tedious for keyboard users.”

I am unsure how to interpret this.

Is the nested div/button example considered a failure, or is it just a best-practice caution? The wording seems to suggest a failure (confusing or illogical focus), but the best practice note implies it is not automatically a failure.

It would be very helpful if the Understanding document included one clear passing example and one clear failing example so that the boundary between acceptable and failing focus order is unambiguous.

[patrickhlauke]

the best practice case doesn't talk about nested elements, but in general says that having something like a <div tabindex="0">...</div> or similar is not necessarily a failure.

if you do nest things in a way that the same control appears to receive focus multiple times, THAT is a failure.