Success Criterion 2.5.1
Conformance level A

Pull-to-Refresh as the Only Way to Refresh Content

2.5.1 — Pointer Gestures

Scenario

Setting

A photo-sharing app's upload screen

What’s wrong

Pull-to-refresh as the only refresh mechanism.

Example

<div ontouchstart="handleSwipe()"></div> <!-- swipe-only delete -->

Why it matters

People with limited hand mobility and users of head-pointers, sticks, or eye-gaze systems.

How to test

Try tapping a refresh button instead of pulling down: if pull-to-refresh is the only mechanism, it fails.

How to fix

A single-tap/click alternative must exist for every path-based or multi-point gesture.

<div ontouchstart="handleSwipe()"></div>

<button aria-label="Delete item">🗑</button>

Any path-based or multi-touch gesture needs a single-tap alternative that does the same thing.

Outcome

On a photo-sharing app's upload screen, this barrier is gone for people with limited hand mobility and users of head-pointers — they can complete the task without hitting this wall.

Who is affected