OpenA11y Evaluation Library

Pointer Gestures

Rule ID Pointer 1
Conformance Required
Definition All functionality that uses multipoint or path-based gestures for operation can be operated with a single pointer without a path-based gesture, unless a multipoint or path-based gesture is essential.
Purpose
  • Some people cannot perform gestures in a precise manner, or they may use a specialized or adapted input device such as a head pointer, eye-gaze system, or speech-controlled mouse emulator.
  • Some pointing methods lack the capability or accuracy to perform multipoint or path-based gestures.
Conformance Required
WCAG Success Criteria

Success Criterion 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures

Other Related Success Criterion:

Rule Category ARIA Widgets
Rule Scope Page
First Step no
Techniques
  • Example: A web site includes a map view that supports the pinch gesture to zoom into the map content. User interface controls offer the operation using plus and minus buttons to zoom in and out.
  • Example: A web site includes a map view that supports the pinch gesture to zoom into the map content. As an single-pointer alternative, the map also allows users to double-tap, hold, and then move the pointer up or down to zoom in or out.
  • Example: A news site has a horizontal content slider with hidden news teasers that can moved into the viewport via a fast horizontal swipe/flicking motion. It also offers forward and backward arrow buttons for single-point activation to navigate to adjacent slider content.
  • Example: A kanban widget with several vertical areas representing states in a defined process allows the user to right- or left-swipe elements to move them to an adjacent silo. The user can also accomplish this by selecting the element with a single tap or click, and then activating an arrow button to move the selected element.
  • Example: A custom slider requires movement in a strict left/right direction when operated by dragging the thumb control. Buttons on both sides of the slider increment and decrement the selected value and update the thumb position.
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