diff --git a/lms/startup.py b/lms/startup.py
index 7b51151ca7..6837383130 100644
--- a/lms/startup.py
+++ b/lms/startup.py
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ from django.conf import settings
 settings.INSTALLED_APPS  # pylint: disable=W0104
 
 from django_startup import autostartup
+from xmodule.modulestore.django import modulestore
 
 log = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
@@ -17,3 +18,8 @@ def run():
     Executed during django startup
     """
     autostartup()
+
+    # trigger a forced initialization of our modulestores since this can take a while to complete
+    # and we want this done before HTTP requests are accepted
+    for store_name in settings.MODULESTORE:
+    	modulestore(store_name)
diff --git a/lms/templates/forgot_password_modal.html b/lms/templates/forgot_password_modal.html
index a23df08cfc..411b863e00 100644
--- a/lms/templates/forgot_password_modal.html
+++ b/lms/templates/forgot_password_modal.html
@@ -75,5 +75,15 @@
     cycle_modal_tab("#pwd_reset_email", "#pwd_reset_button")
     cycle_modal_tab("#pwd_reset_button", "#forgot-password-modal .close-modal")
 
+    // Hitting the ESC key will exit the modal
+    $("#forgot-password-modal").on("keydown", function(e) {
+        var keyCode = e.keyCode || e.which;
+        // 27 is the ESC key
+        if (keyCode === 27) {
+            e.preventDefault();
+            $("#forgot-password-modal .close-modal").click();
+        }
+    });
+
   })(this)
 </script>
diff --git a/lms/templates/help_modal.html b/lms/templates/help_modal.html
index 1d2a416f5f..f4f1c4ea15 100644
--- a/lms/templates/help_modal.html
+++ b/lms/templates/help_modal.html
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ discussion_link = get_discussion_link(course) if course else None
       <div id="feedback_error" class="modal-form-error" tabindex="-1"></div>
 % if not user.is_authenticated():
       <label data-field="name" for="feedback_form_name">${_('Name*')}</label>
-      <input name="name" type="text" id="feedback_form_email" aria-required="true">
+      <input name="name" type="text" id="feedback_form_name" aria-required="true">
       <label data-field="email" for="feedback_form_email">${_('E-mail*')}</label>
       <input name="email" type="text" id="feedback_form_email" aria-required="true">
 % endif
@@ -80,8 +80,8 @@ discussion_link = get_discussion_link(course) if course else None
     </form>
   </div>
 
-  <div class="inner-wrapper" id="feedback_success_wrapper" tabindex="-1">
-    <a href="#" role="button" class="close-modal" title="${_('Close Modal')}">&#10005;</a>
+  <div class="inner-wrapper" id="feedback_success_wrapper" tabindex="0">
+    <a href="#" role="button" class="close-modal" title="${_('Close Modal')}" tabindex="0">&#10005;</a>
 
     <header>
       <h2>${_('Thank You!')}</h2>
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ discussion_link = get_discussion_link(course) if course else None
     ).format(
         open_time=open_time,
         close_time=close_time,
-        link_start='<a href="{}" target="_blank" id="feedback-faq-link">'.format(marketing_link('FAQ')),
+        link_start='<a href="{}" target="_blank" id="feedback-faq-link" tabindex="0">'.format(marketing_link('FAQ')),
         link_end='</a>'
     )}
     </p>
@@ -119,7 +119,8 @@ discussion_link = get_discussion_link(course) if course else None
             $(".help-modal .close-modal").off("click");
             $("#lean_overlay").off("click");
             $("#help-modal").attr("aria-hidden", "true");
-            $(".help-tab").focus();
+            $('area,input,select,textarea,button').removeAttr('tabindex');
+            $(".help-tab a").focus();
         },
         cycle_modal_tab = function(from_element_name, to_element_name) {
             $(from_element_name).on('keydown', function(e) {
@@ -156,7 +157,7 @@ discussion_link = get_discussion_link(course) if course else None
     };
     cycle_modal_tab("#feedback_link_question", "#help_wrapper .close-modal");
     cycle_modal_tab("#feedback_submit", "#feedback_form_wrapper .close-modal");
-    cycle_modal_tab("#feedback_faq_link", "#feedback_success_wrapper .close-modal");
+    cycle_modal_tab("#feedback-faq-link", "#feedback_success_wrapper .close-modal");
     $("#help-modal").on("keydown", function(e) {
         var keyCode = e.keyCode || e.which;
         if (keyCode === 27) {
@@ -194,6 +195,8 @@ discussion_link = get_discussion_link(course) if course else None
     });
     $("#feedback_form").submit(function() {
         $("input[type='submit']", this).attr("disabled", "disabled");
+        $('area,input,select,textarea,button').attr('tabindex', -1);
+        $("#feedback_form_wrapper .close-modal").focus();
     });
     $("#feedback_form").on("ajax:complete", function() {
         $("input[type='submit']", this).removeAttr("disabled");