2.5.1 Pointer Gestures (A)
Understanding 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures (A)
On mobile devices where you can use a touch - and need more than one finger or need to follow a path type gesture, functionality can still be operated using a single pointer.
NOTE: This is true unless multi point or path based gestures are essential.
Why is this a problem?
Some disabled users may need simple inputs or gestures to complete tasks and make selections. Complex movement or gestures requiring dexterity or accuracy may be hard for them.
What is a path-based gesture?
If an interaction is not just the end-to-end part but important but also the road or path taken. These gestures could be swiping, dragging items or drawing.
What is a multi-point gesture?
This can be zooming into content using a ‘pinch’ type motion with two fingers, a swipe with multiple fingers and so on.
Requirements / What to do?
Design your interface so controls and content can be used without these path or multi-point gestures.
Single point activation is like it sounds. This means ensuring that on a touchscreen or touchpad users will be able to do everything using only taps, double taps, and long presses.
For a mouse, trackpad, head-pointer, or similar device include single clicks, click-and-hold and double clicks.
Some examples are:
- In a map where you can pinch gesture to zoom the zooming can be done via [+] and [-] buttons.
- In a Carousel with a horizontal content slider, hidden content can be moved into the viewport with swiping or forward and backward arrow buttons to navigate instead.
- Do not rely only on path-based gestures.
- Do not rely only on multi-point gestures.
Common mistakes
- Requiring complex gestures to do things.
- Functionality can be operated by pointer input but not with single-point activation alone.