What this criterion requires
Any functionality that uses a dragging movement must also be achievable with a single pointer without dragging (click-based alternative), unless dragging is essential.
Who it helps
People with motor disabilities who can tap but cannot sustain a precise drag.
Example: fails vs passes
A kanban card that can only move between columns by dragging.
A card menu with "Move to: To do / Doing / Done" - one click, no drag.
New in 2.2: every drag operation needs a single-pointer, no-drag alternative.
How to meet and fix it
- Add click-to-select then click-to-place alternatives to drag-and-drop
- Give sliders plus/minus buttons or a numeric input
- Provide up/down buttons on sortable lists
Common failures auditors find
- Kanban boards, file uploads and sliders that work only by dragging
Automated scanning catches a share of these instantly - run a free check - and a manual audit covers the judgement calls a tool cannot make.
Sources
- W3C, Understanding 2.5.7: Dragging Movements - w3.org/WAI
- W3C, How to Meet 2.5.7 (quick reference) - w3.org/WAI/quickref
Last updated . Reviewed by the EqualWeb accessibility team.
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