• Success Criterion 2.5.1
  • Conformance level A
  • W3C reference F105

Feature Requiring a Swipe Gesture With No Tap Alternative

2.5.1 — Pointer Gestures

Scenario

Setting

An online clothing store's product listing page

What’s wrong

A feature requires drawing a path/swipe gesture and offers no simple tap/click alternative.

Example 

productCard.addEventListener('touchmove', (e) => {
  const dx = e.touches[0].clientX - startX;
  if (dx > 80) addToWishlist(product.id); // only a full swipe path saves the item
});

Why it matters

A shopper who can't perform a full swipe path never gets the product onto their wishlist, and nothing on the card hints at another way.

How to test

Try to complete the path-based/multi-point gesture using a single tap or click instead: if no equivalent exists anywhere in the UI, it fails.

How to fix

Keep the swipe as a shortcut if you like, but a visible tap target must do the same job.

<button class="wishlist-btn" aria-label="Add to wishlist" onclick="addToWishlist(product.id)">♡</button>

Outcome

A shopper taps the heart icon once and the item lands in their wishlist right away.

Who is affected

People with limited wrist mobility, one-handed shoppers, and switch-access users who can only issue single taps.

Learn more

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