Success Criterion 2.5.1
Conformance level A

Gesture-Based Unlock Pattern Where a Simpler Input Would Work

2.5.1 — Pointer Gestures

Scenario

Setting

A webinar platform's registration form

What’s wrong

Signature/gesture unlock patterns where the *function* isn't essential to be path-based.

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

Check whether a gesture-based unlock/signature pattern is genuinely essential to the function (e.g., an actual signature) or just used for an ordinary action that could be a button: the latter 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 webinar platform's registration form, this barrier is gone for people with limited hand mobility and users of head-pointers — they can finish what they came here to do.

Who is affected