Definition for WCAG 2.1 success criterion 2.6.1
2.6.1 Motion Actuation: Functionality that can be operated by device motion or user motion can also be operated by user interface components and responding to the motion can be disabled to prevent accidental actuation, except when:
- Supported Interface
- The motion is used to operate functionality through an accessibility supported interface;
- Essential
- The motion is essential for the function and doing so would invalidate the activity.
The intent of this success criterion is to ensure that functions that are triggered by moving a device (for example, shaking or tilting) or by gesturing towards the device so that sensors or the camera can pick up and interpret these gestures, can also be operated via user interface components, unless the motion is essential for the function and not using it would invalidate the activity.
Note: This criterion concerns input through sensors which respond directly to motions such as tilting, shaking, or gesturing towards a device. It is not intended to cover the motion of users through space as registered by geolocation sensors or beacons, or events observed by the device other than intentional gestures by the user. It also does not cover indirect motion associated with operating a keyboard, pointer, or assistive technology.
Devices often have sensors that can act as inputs; for example, accelerometer and gyroscope sensors on a phone or tablet device. These sensors can allow the user to control something by simply changing the orientation or moving the device in particular ways. In other situations, web content can interpret user gestures via the camera or other sensors to actuate functions, for example, to move forward or backward in a sequence of pages. Some users with disabilities are not able to operate these device sensors (either not at all or not precisely enough) because the device is affixed to a wheelchair or due to motor impairments. Functionality must therefore be implemented in a way that other means are available to activate the function that do not rely on sensor input.
Note: If motion actuation is not used, this success criterion is marked as not applicable.
Testing success criterion 2.6.1
Input into spreadsheet
- Fail
- Motion is required to perform an action. Record the nature of the failure:
- There is not an equivalent user interface element to perform the action.
- The motion actuation cannot be disabled.
- The motion is not used to operate functionality through an accessibility supported interface.
- The motion is not essential for the function.
- Pass
-
- There is an equivalent user interface element to perform the action, and the motion actuation can be disabled.
- The motion is used to operate functionality through an accessibility supported interface.
- The motion is essential for the function and doing so would invalidate the activity.
- N/A
- The sample has no actions that are performed by motion.
How to test
- Identify motion actuation.
-
For each example, ensure:
- There is an equivalent user interface element to perform the action, and the motion actuation can be disabled, OR
- The motion is used to operate functionality through an accessibility supported interface, OR
- The motion is essential for the function and doing so would invalidate the activity (such as a pedometer program).