2.5.6: Concurrent Input Mechanisms

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What are input mechanisms?
Why are concurrent input mechanisms important?
Examples of concurrent inputs
How do I implement concurrent input mechanisms?
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What are input mechanisms?

Input mechanisms are how we interact with technology. They include keyboards, mouses, styluses, and touchscreens. All devices come with a primary input device; for example, the keyboard and trackpad are a laptop’s primary inputs, while the touchscreen is a mobile phone’s.

However, there are times when the default input mechanism is not ideal. Imagine struggling with a clunky touchscreen keyboard and wishing for a more reliable physical keyboard, or a system accepting only typed inputs where a voice command would have been faster and more convenient. These are only two of the limitations of single input interfaces.

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 (WCAG) outline the problems with single input interfaces in a level AAA success criterion, Concurrent Input Mechanisms. At the highest level of accessibility, websites and mobile applications should allow users to switch between different input mechanisms when they desire to. The idea of this success criterion is that technology adapts to the user, instead of the other way around.

Examples of concurrent inputs

How do I implement concurrent input mechanisms?

Developers and designers should avoid the use of input-specific event listeners or hiding button and slider controls when a touchscreen device is detected. Don’t assume you know how your users will interact with your website or mobile app, and therefore block them from using more than one input mechanism. By ensuring all the functionality of your website can be done via both keyboard and touch, you will go a long way towards improving your digital accessibility.