Character Key Shortcuts
If a keyboard shortcut is implemented in content using only letter, punctuation, number, or symbol characters, then a mechanism is available to turn the shortcut off, remap it to include a modifier key, or make it active only when the relevant component has focus.
In plain language
If a site has single-key shortcuts (like pressing "S" to search), there must be a way to turn that shortcut off, change it to require another key too (like Ctrl+S), or make it only work while the right part of the page is focused.
Why it matters
People who use speech-to-text software trigger these shortcuts by accident every time they say a word starting with that letter. Without a way to disable or remap them, using voice control on the site becomes unpredictable and frustrating.
In practice
Fails this criterion
A site uses "S" to jump to search and "K" to move between messages, with no setting to turn these off or remap them.
Meets this criterion
The same site offers a settings menu where users can disable single-letter shortcuts entirely or change them to require a modifier key like Ctrl.
Test it yourself
Try typing normal text into a text field, or dictating with speech-to-text, on pages that use keyboard shortcuts. If ordinary typing or speaking accidentally triggers a shortcut and there's no way to turn it off, this criterion is failing.