Popovers, slide-out drawer menus, and modal dialogs add functional depth to modern web applications. However, when these layers are styled with semi-transparent, frosted finishes, they can confuse screen readers and keyboard users. Designing them safely requires understanding how different WCAG criteria work together.
Three Guidelines for Layered Navigation
- Keep contrast static: Text inside an active overlay must meet the 4.5:1 contrast requirement across the entire panel area, regardless of what lies behind the overlay.
- Manage the keyboard focus loop: When a user opens a mobile nav drawer, their keyboard focus should immediately jump inside that drawer. They should not be able to tab to background elements while the drawer is active.
- Reflow naturally: Ensure overlays scale down gracefully on mobile. Users should not have to scroll horizontally to read text at high zoom settings.
Applying a soft, dark drop shadow under your glass cards helps signal visual elevation. The shadow creates a clear distinction between the active foreground panel and the background content, helping users orient themselves.