Success Criterion 2.5.1
Conformance level A

Swipe-to-Delete Action With No Tap-Based Alternative

2.5.1 — Pointer Gestures

Scenario

Setting

A video streaming service's show detail page

What’s wrong

Swipe-to-delete/-archive list actions with no tap alternative (long-press menu also counts as alternative only if single-pointer, untimed).

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 delete/archive action instead of swiping: if swipe is the only route (and any long-press menu offered isn't a genuine single-pointer, untimed alternative), 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 video streaming service's show detail page, this barrier is gone for people with limited hand mobility and users of head-pointers — they get the same result as anyone else here.

Who is affected