Level AAWCAG 2.2
3.2.3 Consistent Navigation
Navigational mechanisms repeated on multiple pages occur in the same relative order each time.
Why it matters
Cognitive impairment
For users who rely on memory for navigation positions and order, consistency is essential.
Screen readers
Users who memorize navigation order for fast movement get confused when the order changes.
Motor impairment
Being able to repeat learned interaction patterns reduces operational burden.
Older users
A consistent interface lowers the learning curve and makes continued use easier.
Live demo
Navigation order across pages
Page A (Home)
example.com/
Home page content
Page B (Blog)
example.com/blog
List of blog posts
Problem: The navigation order changes from page to page. Screen reader and keyboard users cannot rely on what they learned before and must search again every time.
Navigation that repeats across multiple pages should keep the same relative order. You can add page-specific items, but shared items should not move around.
Persona perspective
Kobayashi (22) — Learning disability
It takes me time to memorize navigation order. Once I've learned it, if another page shows a different order I have to start searching from scratch. With a consistent order, I can rely on 'the third item is the blog.'