- Success Criterion 2.5.2
- Conformance level A
2.5.2 · Pointer Cancellation
Lesson overview · Pointer Cancellation
In plain language
Actions must fire when the press is RELEASED, so users can slide off to cancel.
Who it affects
People with tremor or imprecise pointing who need to cancel a down-press.
How to check
Press a control, slide your finger/pointer off it, then release: the action must not fire.
Common misconception
Making a button feel “responsive” by firing on touchstart instead of the click event actually breaks this rule, since users lose the ability to slide their finger away and cancel an accidental press.
Learn more
Scenarios in this lesson
- Action That Fires the Instant the Pointer Goes Down
- Button Firing on Touchstart Instead of Release
- Drag Interaction That Commits With No Way to Cancel
- Menu That Opens and Selects on the Same Press-and-Drag
- Destructive Action Firing on Press With No Way to Abort
- Press-to-Trigger Control Where Release Confirmation Was Possible
- Custom Gesture That Commits Mid-Motion Instead of on Release