2.5.1 Pointer Gestures (A)

2.5.1 Pointer Gestures (A)

Intent:

For a variety of reasons including mobility issues and use of assistive technologies, users may be unable to perform complex gestures using either fingers or a pointer in order to activate functions on a website or application. These gestures can include multi-point gestures that ask the user to use multiple fingers, or path-based gestures that ask the user to move the finger or pointer in a certain path.

The intent of this criterion is to ensure that any functionality that is activated through a complex gesture can also be activated through other, more accessible means. Acceptable alternatives include single-click, double-click, and click-and-hold.

Essential Exception

The WCAG 2.1 Understanding documentation provides an example exception where gestures may be essential: drawing a signature on a touch screen on a mobile device. Note, however, that on non-mobile devices without touch screens, web pages use e-signatures that ask you to type, rather than sign, your name, so the pointer gesture would not be essential there.

Who it helps:

• Users with limited dexterity:
  “You expect me to do that complex hand gesture? Are you kidding me? What is this? The finger Olympics???”
  - Goodwitch Persona Quote
• Users who use eye-gaze technology to interact with their device.
• Users who use speech to interact with their device.
• Users who use a single pointer to interact with their device.