- Success Criterion 2.5.2
- Conformance level A
Custom Gesture That Commits Mid-Motion Instead of on Release
2.5.2 — Pointer Cancellation
Scenario
Setting
A weather app's forecast screen
What’s wrong
Custom gesture recognizers that commit at threshold mid-gesture rather than on release.
Example
element.addEventListener('pointerdown', triggerAction);Why it matters
People with tremor or imprecise pointing who need to cancel a down-press.
How to test
Perform a custom gesture and release partway through, after the threshold: if the system commits mid-gesture rather than waiting for release, it fails.
How to fix
The action must complete on release (up-event) so the user can slide off to abort, or an abort/undo must be available. element.addEventListener('pointerup', triggerAction); Firing on pointer-up (not pointer-down) lets users slide their finger off to cancel before the action commits.
Outcome
On a weather app's forecast screen, this barrier is gone for people with tremor or imprecise pointing who need to cancel a down-press — they get the same result as anyone else here.
Who is affected
People with tremor or imprecise pointing who need to cancel a down-press.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
Related scenarios
- 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