• Success Criterion 2.1.1
  • Conformance level A

Signature Pad Required With No Non-Drawing Alternative

2.1.1 — Keyboard

Scenario

Setting

A news outlet's article page

What’s wrong

Signature pads / drawing inputs gating required flows without an alternative (exception misapplied when the *function* isn't path-dependent, e.g., "type your name").

Example

Consider a news outlet's article page: signature pads / drawing inputs gating required flows without an alternative (exception misapplied when the *function* isn't path-dependent, e.g., "type your name").

Why it matters

Blind users, people with motor disabilities, and anyone operating the interface without a pointer. On a news outlet's article page specifically, they can't operate the feature without a mouse.

How to test

Tab through a required signature step: if drawing with a mouse/finger is the only way to complete it, with no typed-name or checkbox alternative, it fails.

How to fix

Offer a non-drawing alternative (typed name, checkbox confirmation) for signature steps.

Outcome

Fixed, a visitor to a news outlet's article page can complete the task using only the keyboard.

Who is affected

Blind users, people with motor disabilities, and anyone operating the interface without a pointer.

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