Fluid Traversal

A navigation design principle for screen reader interfaces that aims to mirror the flexibility of sighted visual attention. Fluid traversal has two key properties: it should be concise (requiring minimal key presses or actions to move between parts of a representation) and reversible (allowing users to easily retrace their steps and undo navigation actions). For accessible charts and diagrams, fluid traversal means users can quickly shift between different groupings, zoom in and out of hierarchies, and move laterally between related elements without being forced through long linear sequences. The concept contrasts with viscous traversal, which is slow, effortful, and prone to disorientation.